When you break free from your job to run a business full-time from home, it doesn't take long to realize how dramatically life changes.
There's no more water cooler or coffee pot to gather round to share stories and jokes with co-workers. There's no one popping his or her head into your office for a quick hello, or a "Have a great day" or to tell you about a great little restaurant that just opened.
There's no more company training, corporate dinners or work-related social functions to attend.
Now, don't get me wrong, running your own home business outshines any j-o-b, however, it is important to make sure certain needs that were filled by the workplace are still met at home - just to make sure you don't get so bogged down in your business that you forget there's a world outside that you're a part of.
Here are a few quick and easy questions to help you gain a little insight as to how you're managing work/life balance as a home-based entrepreneur.
1. What is the name of the last book you read? Was it business related or purely for pleasure?
2. How do you spend your Friday nights?
3. Who are your five closest friends?
4. When is the last time you spent time with them? What did you do?
5. When is the last time you made a new friend?
6. Where did you meet him/her?
7. What is the name of the last class you took? When was that? Was it business or pleasure?
8. What is the last new thing you learned?
9. When is the last time you "played?" What did you do?
10. What organizations or clubs do you belong to? Why did you join?
If you had a hard time answering any of these questions, or if you simply can't recall the last time you did some of these things, maybe it's time to give yourself a well-deserved break.
One thing I learned early on, actually I had it drilled into my head by my coach, was if I couldn't take a few hours out of the week to enjoy some "me" time, it meant I was doing things seriously wrong.
Building your home-based business shouldn't be a struggle. With a sound plan, discipline, good time management, organization and focused action, you can build a business without burning yourself out or giving up life's simple pleasures.
Remember these words, "Force negates growth." Print them out and post them at your workstation to remind yourself that as soon as you push for something, it moves away from you. If you chase anything, it will run in the other direction and this goes for your dreams as well.
Be focused and consistent in your business building efforts and be kind to yourself. If you have identified an ignored need after going through the above quiz, make a commitment to do something about it right now, today.
Your business will reward you and you'll be happy that you did.
2007 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source Laurie Hayes, founder and Director of The HBB Source, helps freedom seekers cross the bridge from employee to home-based entrepreneur. Subscribe to her FREE e-zine for valuable tips and resources designed to create business success, at www.thehbbsource.com
Life Balance Quiz for The Home-Based Business Owner - To learn more about this author, visit Laurie Hayes's Website.
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