Every man must decide for himself whether he shall master his world or be mastered by it. James Cash Penny You are self-employed. I don’t care if someone else signs your cheques or deposits money into your bank account. I don’t care if you clock into a day job (or three). I don’t care if someone plans out most of your day and gives you tasks to accomplish by a certain deadline. You’re still self-employed because you’re the CEO of your life—your relationships, your career, your health.