They Laughed When I Started A Home Based Business

But Their Laughter Turned To Amazement When I Showed What I’d Accomplished In A Year!

Home based businesses can place some unique demands on their owner-operators, especially when there are no staff or work mates to share the load.

But a successful home based business does find ways to overcome the hurdles of workplace isolation, domestic intrusions, and wearing multiple business hats.

If you are starting out in a HBB, you should expect to encounter stress and time problems similar to those of other business owners but accentuated by the fact that you work at home.

These ideas can help make the organisation of your home based business a little easier on yourself:

1) Plan your time and establish priorities, using a daily "to do" list. Decide what your "prime time" is and do your most important or difficult tasks.

Set "business hours" - specific times when you are at work - and times when you turn on the answering machine because you are "on duty but off call."

You, your customers, and your family will appreciate knowing your routine, and still appreciate that for special events or emergencies you may break that schedule.

2) Notice what your four or five big time-wasters are, and learn techniques to eliminate them or compensate for them.

Some common ones are: telephone interruptions, visitors, socializing, excessive paperwork, lack of policies and procedures, procrastination, failure to delegate, unclear objectives, poor scheduling, lack of self-discipline, and lack of skill in a needed area.

Then set yourself policies and procedures – just like any other established business has – to deal with them.

3) Stay in contact with people. Even though you prefer to work at home, you should plan work-related or social activities that provide frequent contact with others.

This will help your morale if you feel isolated. Even for home-based business owners who like feeling isolated, keeping up with business and professional contacts is a must.

Joining a business networking group can be a great way to do this, as you are expanding your business contacts at the same time. Contact the Economic Development Unit at your local council to discover networking groups in your area.

4) Build a fitness program into your day. Many successful entrepreneurs exercise in order to think creatively. Physical activity sends oxygen to the brain and helps the mind function better.

With regular exercise your health will improve, your stress level will go down, and your healthy looks will inspire people to have confidence in your abilities.

5) Give your home business as much of a separate and distinct physical identity as possible.

Although you might save a few dollars by using the ironing board as a bookshelf and a cardboard box as a file cabinet, the stress and strain of operating without proper space and supplies will take its toll.

Have a separate room or area for your business, with a separate entrance if customers or suppliers visit. Consider soundproofing if necessary, so your family won't be bothered by your noise and vice versa.

6) Make your workspace a pleasant place to be. You have the freedom to organise and decorate as you please. You can use music, an oil burner, pictures, posters and decor to give your self a positive and creative environment.

And you can make it a safe and comfortable place to work, by getting a good quality ergonomic chair, work station, and other office furniture; and creating a safe and pleasant production or assembly environment if you do any kind of home based production.

7) Take care of your major business asset: YOU. Being the boss can be exciting, fulfilling, and rewarding. It can also be lonely, stressful, and demanding.

Learn to balance your professional and personal life. Take annual holidays. Get a weekly massage. Join a health club. Take a class in meditation. Attend a business owner's breakfast club. Or do whatever else works best for you. Your business depends on you to be at your best.



They Laughed When I Started A Home Based Business - To learn more about this author, visit Susan Regier's Website.

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