When I was getting my masters in business, our finance classes taught us that terms like "return on investment" were cut-and-dried formulas. Enter a few numbers into a calculator and in a snap, you know whether a company is a strong, moderate, or poor return on investment.

But for the self-employed, return on investment is not nearly as clear-cut, and it shouldn't be. It's short-sighted to measure small-business success by financial profit alone. We invest our emotional energy and time as well as our dollars, and we receive far more than cash in return.

The old saying has it that year seven often makes or breaks a marriage. For small businesses, it's usually year two or three. After a couple of years of grueling effort, if there is little cash to show for all that hard work, an entrepreneur -- or his or her spouse -- will often question the return on investment and think about getting a job.

To evaluate whether your current business venture gives you a strong, moderate, or poor return on your investment, take the following quiz: Score each sentence from 1-5, where
"1" doesn't describe me at all
"2" describes me sometimes
"3" describes me often
"4" describes me most of the time
"5" describes me almost all of the time

Total Investment:

1) I invested all of our savings and went heavily into debt to launch my company.
2) We are still scrimping personally because profit is much less than we projected at this point.
3) I've taken on an enormous responsibility, one I often dread facing when I wake up.
4) My spouse and/or children defer their material needs to free resources for my business, and they're starting to resent it.
5) I'm constantly thinking about my business, even in bed at night.
6) I've foregone other more lucrative and appealing opportunities to launch this business, and not without some regrets.
7) I go to the moon and back for my clients but don't yet feel they notice.
8) I'm investing so much time in my business, but it seems to be having little impact in my field or community.
9) I've put my business before family, even at crucial times.

Investment total score =

Total Return:

1) Cash flow is stable or comfortable. I am as profitable as my financial obligations require.
2) I love my work and consider it the right choice of a livelihood.
3) My business allows me flexibility and freedom.
4) My time and money are getting me the best return I can achieve, personally and financially.
5)I value the personal growth that comes from being self-employed. My business challenges me.
6) My colleagues and customers are fascinating and enjoyable and they enrich my life.
7) My product or service improves the lives of my
8) I get satisfaction from the gratitude my customers express.
9) My business makes it easier for me to balance work, family, and other interests in my life.

Total return total score =

Divide your investment score into your return score to determine your return on investment.

If you scored below 1: Your return on investment is poor. It's time to consider moving on to another livelihood or radically changing the way you do business. You may be profitable and still score below 1 because profitability isn't the only measure of work satisfaction. Your current business isn't fulfilling.

If you scored between 1 and 3: Your return on investment is moderate. You probably enjoy your work most of the time, but your score is lowered by heavy leveraging in the launch of your business, slow gains in profit, or business troubles that weigh on your mind. If you feel as if you are in the right field for you and making a contribution, you'll likely stick it out until profit increases, or you become used to less income than you wanted.

If you scored over 3: Your return on investment is high. Even if you aren't as profitable as you would like, the satisfactions in your work compensate. You are unlikely to close your business or move to another line of work unless an act of God or unplanned family circumstances force you to.

The next time you find yourself measuring your success by the narrow financial definition of "return on investment," consider all the rewards of self-employment you before you decide to close up shop.

Have a question on how to handle the pressures of running a business and the impact on your personal life, marriage, and family? Contact Azriela Jaffe at AZ@azriela.com. Please put "BW Online question" in the subject field. Your real name will be kept confidential if you request, but please give an E-mail address, phone number, and your hometown so she can contact you for more information. Because of heavy volume, Azriela cannot guarantee that she will answer every query.