I enjoy telling people that I “work at home.” I can see that wistful look in their eyes, and I can hear it in their voices when they say, “That must be nice.” And then for about five minutes, they do a little daydreaming about what it would be like to “work at home.” I never explain to them about the measure of self-discipline it takes, and how great are the temptations to take a “break” and reorganize my sock drawer when I find myself faced with working on a project that is less than interesting (or worse yet, “not as profitable” as other projects). Why burst their bubble? Let them daydream awhile….
Working at home can be all the wonderful things that those people daydream about. Setting my own hours, working at my own pace (project deadlines permitting), running to the market at 1 o’clock on a Wednesday afternoon when there’s nobody there---these are just a few of the plusses of working at home. For parents (whether it is the mom or dad, or both working at home), being able to adjust their working schedule to school schedules, being able to take the kids to the orthodontist or to soccer practice, working at home is a definite plus. For people who don’t work at home and who want to work at home, it is probably hard to think of even one minus. But the fact of the matter is, the minuses do exist---in abundance.
It is not my purpose here to ruin all your hopes or plans to establish yourself as a work-at-homer. In fact, I do encourage you to follow that dream and be your own boss. However, I want you to take just a few minutes to take stock of your situation and once and for all decide if working at home really is in your best interest.
First, and obviously, you have to have a job skill that is amenable to the at-home environment. If you trim poodles on the weekend and think you can turn it into a full-time at-home business, then look around. Do you live in a two-bedroom apartment on the second floor and just do your neighbor’s poodle once a month (but you do it really well)? Or do you live a four-bedroom ranch house with a three-car garage that can be made over into “Donna’s Clip Joint” and happen to live in an urban neighborhood where everyone has pets? And even if you do, what about all the permits that you will need? Will you be able to pursue this type of work at home, and do so legally?
The most applicable work-at-home job skills involve the use of a computer, the Internet, phone, fax, and other small business/office machines. You can hardly drive from home to the grocery store without seeing those signs nailed to telephone poles: “Got a Computer? Earn up to $2000 at home!” Of course, you can, but can you?
For the sake of argument, let’s presume then that you have a computer and an assortment of small business machines, and that you do indeed have some skill that you believe can be marketed. Let’s focus on you for a minute: Are you self-disciplined? Are you organized? Do you have the proper workspace where you can work undisturbed? Are you able to face a workday where you have no supervision or guidance? Can you work at home, day after day, without having the people contact that you would typically find “on the job”? When you have overlapping projects, will you be able to cope with the necessary prioritizing so that you get the time-critical job done on time without jeopardizing the next job in line?
The list of questions goes on. And this doesn’t begin to address the “what ifs” that go hand-in-hand with working at home. What if you don’t have any work this week? What if work doesn’t come in the week after that? What if you get sick and can’t finish a project on time? What if your client doesn’t pay you on time? What if your client doesn’t pay you at all?
Financial gurus recommend that we all should have three months’ wages tucked away in a “bail out” savings account so that in case of illness or work stoppage, we can “bail out” our sinking checking accounts and pay the bills, pay the rent, buy groceries. Let’s face it, how many of us really have three months’ salary bankrolled? Most of us are lucky if we have one months’ salary in a demand savings account that’s hooked to our checking account that gets dipped into on a more regular basis than we’d like to admit. If that is the case, then are you really in a position where you can handle the uncertainties of establishing and maintaining a work-at-home business?
This isn’t to say that even if all these things are true, that you shouldn’t make the move to be your own boss and work at home. I’m a perfect example. I did have the fortunate circumstance that I had a husband working full-time and earning “decent” money (not a fortune, not more than enough, but “enough”). He believed in me and gave me great support while I established my business. It took me more than five years to get to the point where I can count on having work just about every day (based on a five-day, 50-week “normal” annual work schedule). During that time, I had periods when I didn’t work for five weeks or more (and even still, my primary client goes through a month-long “dry spell” while their organization holds its annual meetings). It took me over three years just to finally break the “one client” barrier (I now have five “regular” clients). The point here is that I did it; I built my own at-home business, and I now think of myself as “successful.” I don’t earn a fortune, but I “make a living at it.”
I don’t think that anyone could ever honestly tell you that there is one no-fail method of how to become your own boss and establish a “successful” at-home business. The variables are endless and there is no way to provide you with a formula for how you go about setting yourself up as an entrepreneur. In the end, becoming successful and realizing your dream of working at home depends on you, and you alone. You must have a marketable skill; you need adequate workspace and supporting equipment; you must have the personal demeanor that lends itself to this type of work environment; and you must have confidence in yourself.
With these things, you can be a success. You’ll be able to tell people, “I work at home”…then stand back and watch them daydream.
About The Author
Jan K., The Proofer is freelance proofreader and copyeditor. Visit http://www.janktheproofer.com for more information about Jan’s services; http://work-at-home.janktheproofer.com for work at home articles and free printables; and for work at home moms, visit Jan’s sister site http://work-at-home.momsbreak.com for articles, free printables, and work at home T-shirts and other fun products.
© Copyright 2004 All rights reserved.
jkproof@bellsouth.net
Monday, June 26, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
Take the Leap! And Work at Home
Would you like to work for yourself from home? Oh! You have you been toying with the idea for a while now. So what is holding you back? I know you linger over those classifieds offering work from home opportunities. You sit for hours in front of your computer viewing web sites. Why is it taking so long? There is nothing very scary about leaving your name and email address. Ah! It is that little voice inside saying “ it’s a scam” or “It’s too good to be true”.
Maybe I can help. I was also hearing that voice. A 40-year young mum of 3 boys under 9, working in a 24/7 call center doing 10 hour shifts. Oh! It was great; I only had to work 4 days a week one of those days was Saturday till 9.00pm. A small sacrifice to make to still earn a full time wage I was home 3 nights to have dinner with the family and I had Sundays free to catch up on the housework.
Finally I realized the whole thing was ridiculous, I hated it, my family hated it and I took the leap. I now run my business from home. My once skeptical partner is now planning his retirement, and looking forward to staying home and fishing a lot, possibly one downside to all this, (no just joking, really!).
Let me share some information with you that I discovered while on my search for a home based opportunity. Multi Level marketing is the way to go. There are plenty of ethical and successful MLM companies out there with great products and marketing plans. If you are concerned make sure they are registered with the Direct Selling Association.
Why MLM you ask? It costs very little to begin. There is very little overhead. It doesn’t require long hours and you can decide when and how many hours you want to commit from one day to the next. You don’t have to leave your current job. You can take your business anywhere you go and you can work it from anywhere you want. Absolutely anyone can do it. Regardless of your education, race, color or religion everyone starts off on an equal footing, the rest is up to the individual. You get to meet a lot of great people who all share a common goal and interest and who nurture each other as a team.
Your first exposure to the Business will be your Sponsor. Listen to what they say. They provide you with the initial information you need to make your first decision. Is this business right for you? Sponsors should not make you feel like you have been backed into a corner. It is as much in their interest to make sure you fully understand the business as it is yours so you can make an educated decision on whether or not a particular opportunity is right for you.
Do your homework. Ask people have they heard of the company or the brand and have they tried it. You want to hear facts and testimonials like buying a car. Does the marketing plan offer good compensation ? Does it offer continuous growth? Is the Company Local or is your business going to be able to grow Internationally? Make sure the product you will be moving is usable and will need replenishing. More importantly make sure you are comfortable with the product. You need to become what we call “A product of the product” then before you know it the rest just happens.
I hope I have succeeded in arming you with a bit more information that you had 5 minutes ago. Now! Go back to those businesses that have been lingering in the back of your mind and order that information pack. When it’s right for you, you will know. Your first conversation with your sponsor will leave you excited. You will find yourself thinking of all the people whom you can show this product to and all the people who you know that need to see this opportunity. Figures will start calculating in your head and you will keep thinking about it over and over.
When that happens it’s time to take the leap! Whatever you do don’t look back, hold onto your vision even if you are the only person who can see it and don’t ever lose sight of your dreams and goals. Good luck!
About The Author
Michelle Wollaston is a Mentor and Sponsor running her own International e-commerce business involving health and wellness products. Teaching people to go beyond their comfort and zone and stretch for their goals and dreams and then watch those dreams become reality. It is just Wonderful! For more information please visit www.thehomebasedbiz4u.info. For more articles please send an email to michelle.wollaston@bigpond.com. This article can be reprinted freely provided it is published in its entirety
Maybe I can help. I was also hearing that voice. A 40-year young mum of 3 boys under 9, working in a 24/7 call center doing 10 hour shifts. Oh! It was great; I only had to work 4 days a week one of those days was Saturday till 9.00pm. A small sacrifice to make to still earn a full time wage I was home 3 nights to have dinner with the family and I had Sundays free to catch up on the housework.
Finally I realized the whole thing was ridiculous, I hated it, my family hated it and I took the leap. I now run my business from home. My once skeptical partner is now planning his retirement, and looking forward to staying home and fishing a lot, possibly one downside to all this, (no just joking, really!).
Let me share some information with you that I discovered while on my search for a home based opportunity. Multi Level marketing is the way to go. There are plenty of ethical and successful MLM companies out there with great products and marketing plans. If you are concerned make sure they are registered with the Direct Selling Association.
Why MLM you ask? It costs very little to begin. There is very little overhead. It doesn’t require long hours and you can decide when and how many hours you want to commit from one day to the next. You don’t have to leave your current job. You can take your business anywhere you go and you can work it from anywhere you want. Absolutely anyone can do it. Regardless of your education, race, color or religion everyone starts off on an equal footing, the rest is up to the individual. You get to meet a lot of great people who all share a common goal and interest and who nurture each other as a team.
Your first exposure to the Business will be your Sponsor. Listen to what they say. They provide you with the initial information you need to make your first decision. Is this business right for you? Sponsors should not make you feel like you have been backed into a corner. It is as much in their interest to make sure you fully understand the business as it is yours so you can make an educated decision on whether or not a particular opportunity is right for you.
Do your homework. Ask people have they heard of the company or the brand and have they tried it. You want to hear facts and testimonials like buying a car. Does the marketing plan offer good compensation ? Does it offer continuous growth? Is the Company Local or is your business going to be able to grow Internationally? Make sure the product you will be moving is usable and will need replenishing. More importantly make sure you are comfortable with the product. You need to become what we call “A product of the product” then before you know it the rest just happens.
I hope I have succeeded in arming you with a bit more information that you had 5 minutes ago. Now! Go back to those businesses that have been lingering in the back of your mind and order that information pack. When it’s right for you, you will know. Your first conversation with your sponsor will leave you excited. You will find yourself thinking of all the people whom you can show this product to and all the people who you know that need to see this opportunity. Figures will start calculating in your head and you will keep thinking about it over and over.
When that happens it’s time to take the leap! Whatever you do don’t look back, hold onto your vision even if you are the only person who can see it and don’t ever lose sight of your dreams and goals. Good luck!
About The Author
Michelle Wollaston is a Mentor and Sponsor running her own International e-commerce business involving health and wellness products. Teaching people to go beyond their comfort and zone and stretch for their goals and dreams and then watch those dreams become reality. It is just Wonderful! For more information please visit www.thehomebasedbiz4u.info. For more articles please send an email to michelle.wollaston@bigpond.com. This article can be reprinted freely provided it is published in its entirety
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
I Want To Be A Work-At-Home Mom - Can Someone Show Me How?
A recent study by The National Survey of Entrepreneurial Parents showed that 22 percent of women who ran a business out of their home pull in $50,000 or more a year, and 39 percent earn $30,000 or more. This shows that more and more women are going for it and making their dream of working from home a reality!
Is this for me?
The decision to start your own business is a major one and not to be taken lightly.
It will effect you, your family, and your way of life. So, when is the right time? No time is the right time to start. If you put it off until after the holidays or wait until you get laid off, next thing you know, your kids will be grown. If you hunger it, the only regret you'll have is not going for it. As Sharon S.E. Schlossenberg, Director, MyWoman2Woman Network, states: Don't wait to start your own business. You will always find excuses to put it off, trust me; there is no time like the present!
Where do I start?
If you aren?t sure what exactly you want to do, sit down and list everything that you like to do from a hobby or entertainment. Many successful businesses have stemmed from a hobby or even by accident! Heidi Bowen, Blankee by Heidi, achieved her business idea after making a unique blanket for her best friends baby shower that allowed everyone at the shower to sign it. Everyone loved it and the first Blankee by Heidi was born! There are no real get-rich-quick businesses out there. Don't let yourself get drawn into any scams along the way.
Now what do I do?
Once you have figured out what type of business to do, you need to research it-a lot. Know your business inside and out and write a good business plan to go by. A success or failure of a business could very well depend upon having a good business plan. It also can be used for documentation for getting a business loan.
Be committed to your business.
After you get your business up and running, stick with it. A successful business is one filled with hard work and commitment. There will be many rewards in the long run. Lisa Barnes, Baby Bee, Inc. says, "I am happy to say that today I am having lots of fun running a steadily growing business which I am able to run from home without cutting into my "mom and wife" time." Involve your family in your venture- this will help you with your business AND allow you to spend more time with your family too.
Be your own cheerleader!
Don't let anyone discourage you from going after your dream. Only you can truly hold yourself back. Many mom owned businesses have supportive husbands/families. Debra M. Cohen, (www.homereferralbiz.com) says that her husband is her biggest cheerleader as well as her biggest source of support and encouragement. He calls her his biggest investment he's ever made!
If this is what you want to do, then go for it. Don't put off your dream and find yourself looking back and wondering, if only I had?
About The Author
Find out more about starting your own business and learning how fifteen successful moms started their businesses by reading, I'm a Work-at-Home Mommy-You can be too! by Teresa Lyons, found at any Barnes & Noble or iUniverse.com. Or, visit: http://www.mommysbizathome.com
Teresa (Lyons) Moody, Author
I'm a Work-at-Home Mommy-You can be too!
www.MommysBizatHome.com
teresa@mommysbizathome.com
Is this for me?
The decision to start your own business is a major one and not to be taken lightly.
It will effect you, your family, and your way of life. So, when is the right time? No time is the right time to start. If you put it off until after the holidays or wait until you get laid off, next thing you know, your kids will be grown. If you hunger it, the only regret you'll have is not going for it. As Sharon S.E. Schlossenberg, Director, MyWoman2Woman Network, states: Don't wait to start your own business. You will always find excuses to put it off, trust me; there is no time like the present!
Where do I start?
If you aren?t sure what exactly you want to do, sit down and list everything that you like to do from a hobby or entertainment. Many successful businesses have stemmed from a hobby or even by accident! Heidi Bowen, Blankee by Heidi, achieved her business idea after making a unique blanket for her best friends baby shower that allowed everyone at the shower to sign it. Everyone loved it and the first Blankee by Heidi was born! There are no real get-rich-quick businesses out there. Don't let yourself get drawn into any scams along the way.
Now what do I do?
Once you have figured out what type of business to do, you need to research it-a lot. Know your business inside and out and write a good business plan to go by. A success or failure of a business could very well depend upon having a good business plan. It also can be used for documentation for getting a business loan.
Be committed to your business.
After you get your business up and running, stick with it. A successful business is one filled with hard work and commitment. There will be many rewards in the long run. Lisa Barnes, Baby Bee, Inc. says, "I am happy to say that today I am having lots of fun running a steadily growing business which I am able to run from home without cutting into my "mom and wife" time." Involve your family in your venture- this will help you with your business AND allow you to spend more time with your family too.
Be your own cheerleader!
Don't let anyone discourage you from going after your dream. Only you can truly hold yourself back. Many mom owned businesses have supportive husbands/families. Debra M. Cohen, (www.homereferralbiz.com) says that her husband is her biggest cheerleader as well as her biggest source of support and encouragement. He calls her his biggest investment he's ever made!
If this is what you want to do, then go for it. Don't put off your dream and find yourself looking back and wondering, if only I had?
About The Author
Find out more about starting your own business and learning how fifteen successful moms started their businesses by reading, I'm a Work-at-Home Mommy-You can be too! by Teresa Lyons, found at any Barnes & Noble or iUniverse.com. Or, visit: http://www.mommysbizathome.com
Teresa (Lyons) Moody, Author
I'm a Work-at-Home Mommy-You can be too!
www.MommysBizatHome.com
teresa@mommysbizathome.com
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Reflections On The First Year Of Working At Home
For reasons that escape me now, I kept sort of a diary during my first full year of working at a home based business. It was nothing close to being a complete daily diary, but was more of a collection of scribbles about things that I felt were worthy of note at the time. Since quite a bit of time has passed since then, I decided to revisit these notes.
In no particular order, here are some of the things that I had made note of.
Choosing the path...in the beginning, my enthusiasm was very high (perhaps too high?) and I was chasing off on several different home-based business opportunities at the same time (exhibiting the "dog in a meat market" syndrome, I suppose) and not focusing my efforts enough to be successful at any single one of them. I finally reigned myself in and focused on a single work at home business opportunity.
In other notes I find reference to emotional and/or psychological issues that I experienced and are probably typical for most people when starting a home based business. When working at home a person can, at times, experience a feeling of isolation which is probably brought on by the lack of interaction of a work force environment.
There were also periods of doubt in the early going...did I pick a viable business opportunity?...am I doing the right things to develop my business?...when will I start making a profit?, and so on.
Many of the entries in my so-called diary had to do with the proverbial "two steps forward and one step backward" thing and the ever-looming temptation to become discouraged. Although I didn't appreciate it at the time, it is now obvious that as long as you have more steps forward than backward you will eventually get ahead! Isn't hindsight wonderful?
Other entries reflect the fact that relatively minor events can seem huge in the early stages of developing a work at home business and can really contribute to an emotional roller coaster ride. For example, if you are just starting out and you have two customers/clients and you lose one...that's a 50% drop! However, if you fast-forward in time to the point where you have hundreds of customers/clients and you lose one...that's just a mere fraction of 1%! Same event, just at a different point in time.
Looking back on it now, some of the stuff I recorded now seems humorous, but I'm pretty sure that I was not amused at the time I made the notations.
About The Author
Kirk Bannerman operates his own successful home based business and also coaches others seeking to start their own home based business. For more information visit his website at http://www.home-based-business-team.com.
In no particular order, here are some of the things that I had made note of.
Choosing the path...in the beginning, my enthusiasm was very high (perhaps too high?) and I was chasing off on several different home-based business opportunities at the same time (exhibiting the "dog in a meat market" syndrome, I suppose) and not focusing my efforts enough to be successful at any single one of them. I finally reigned myself in and focused on a single work at home business opportunity.
In other notes I find reference to emotional and/or psychological issues that I experienced and are probably typical for most people when starting a home based business. When working at home a person can, at times, experience a feeling of isolation which is probably brought on by the lack of interaction of a work force environment.
There were also periods of doubt in the early going...did I pick a viable business opportunity?...am I doing the right things to develop my business?...when will I start making a profit?, and so on.
Many of the entries in my so-called diary had to do with the proverbial "two steps forward and one step backward" thing and the ever-looming temptation to become discouraged. Although I didn't appreciate it at the time, it is now obvious that as long as you have more steps forward than backward you will eventually get ahead! Isn't hindsight wonderful?
Other entries reflect the fact that relatively minor events can seem huge in the early stages of developing a work at home business and can really contribute to an emotional roller coaster ride. For example, if you are just starting out and you have two customers/clients and you lose one...that's a 50% drop! However, if you fast-forward in time to the point where you have hundreds of customers/clients and you lose one...that's just a mere fraction of 1%! Same event, just at a different point in time.
Looking back on it now, some of the stuff I recorded now seems humorous, but I'm pretty sure that I was not amused at the time I made the notations.
About The Author
Kirk Bannerman operates his own successful home based business and also coaches others seeking to start their own home based business. For more information visit his website at http://www.home-based-business-team.com.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
How to Avoid Weight Gain While Working at Home
We have all heard the many benefits of working at home – set your own hours, spend more time with your family, avoid the commute, etc. And many people (including myself!) have actually reaped these benefits. But one thing we aren’t told is that for some of us, one unfortunate side effect of being at home all day is weight gain.
Now I know that a lot of the work-at-home crowd is really only at home in an office part of the time. Salespeople are always out on sales calls, and well, if you run a day care center in your home, then you’re probably chasing little ones around all day. These work-at-home types are probably immune to the weight gain.
I’m talking about the rest of us. Those of us who are home alone, all day, with nothing but a computer and a bag of cookies to keep us company. How can we fight the urge to indulge? Let’s take a look at the top 5 options:
* Set a routine and stick to it. Yes, I know, one of the benefits of working at home is not having the rigid work schedule, but we still need to have some sort of structure. Your routine should only allow for a few minutes of snacking a day, so that you know when and where you will be eating.
* Don’t keep tempting foods in the house. This is much easier said than done, especially if you have children. I do not have kids, (but I do have a husband who can eat whatever he wants and never gain weight. Don’t you just hate him?) so I have to watch which foods get put into the pantry. And let’s face it, we could all stand to make some healthier selections. Buy apples instead of chips, or protein bars instead of candy bars. Just one substitute here and there can make a difference.
* Get moving. You knew it was coming, and here it is – that dreaded word: exercise. I’m not saying you have to do two hours of calisthenics a day, but you do need to get up out of that chair and do something. Go for a walk, do some light housework, it doesn’t matter. Just do something besides sitting.
* Use break-time wisely. Wait a minute – doesn’t taking a break mean eating a snack? NO! You need to fill your break time with other things that you enjoy. Like reading, or knitting, or talking on the phone (my favorite!). Maybe even combine this with option #3 (get moving), and then you’ll be doing well.
* Make some trade-offs. Okay, so you had a few too many snacks one day. You’ll do better the next day. Or you’ll do some extra exercise to make up for it. If you have that snack, make a commitment to walk, instead of drive, on your next errand.
As with many things in life, it’s all about moderation. The benefits of working at home far outweigh (pun intended!) the negative aspects. And if you can follow the steps above to fight the bulge, then you will make the work-at-home experience that much more enjoyable.
About The Author
Rachel Greenberg has a background in business and finance, and she received her MBA from Duke University in 1999. She writes fun and informative pieces for her website http://www.bargainfamily.com which she created with her husband Lee. The website provides advice and recommendations for families on various products and services for their homes, lives, and businesses.
bargainfamily@yahoo.com
Now I know that a lot of the work-at-home crowd is really only at home in an office part of the time. Salespeople are always out on sales calls, and well, if you run a day care center in your home, then you’re probably chasing little ones around all day. These work-at-home types are probably immune to the weight gain.
I’m talking about the rest of us. Those of us who are home alone, all day, with nothing but a computer and a bag of cookies to keep us company. How can we fight the urge to indulge? Let’s take a look at the top 5 options:
* Set a routine and stick to it. Yes, I know, one of the benefits of working at home is not having the rigid work schedule, but we still need to have some sort of structure. Your routine should only allow for a few minutes of snacking a day, so that you know when and where you will be eating.
* Don’t keep tempting foods in the house. This is much easier said than done, especially if you have children. I do not have kids, (but I do have a husband who can eat whatever he wants and never gain weight. Don’t you just hate him?) so I have to watch which foods get put into the pantry. And let’s face it, we could all stand to make some healthier selections. Buy apples instead of chips, or protein bars instead of candy bars. Just one substitute here and there can make a difference.
* Get moving. You knew it was coming, and here it is – that dreaded word: exercise. I’m not saying you have to do two hours of calisthenics a day, but you do need to get up out of that chair and do something. Go for a walk, do some light housework, it doesn’t matter. Just do something besides sitting.
* Use break-time wisely. Wait a minute – doesn’t taking a break mean eating a snack? NO! You need to fill your break time with other things that you enjoy. Like reading, or knitting, or talking on the phone (my favorite!). Maybe even combine this with option #3 (get moving), and then you’ll be doing well.
* Make some trade-offs. Okay, so you had a few too many snacks one day. You’ll do better the next day. Or you’ll do some extra exercise to make up for it. If you have that snack, make a commitment to walk, instead of drive, on your next errand.
As with many things in life, it’s all about moderation. The benefits of working at home far outweigh (pun intended!) the negative aspects. And if you can follow the steps above to fight the bulge, then you will make the work-at-home experience that much more enjoyable.
About The Author
Rachel Greenberg has a background in business and finance, and she received her MBA from Duke University in 1999. She writes fun and informative pieces for her website http://www.bargainfamily.com which she created with her husband Lee. The website provides advice and recommendations for families on various products and services for their homes, lives, and businesses.
bargainfamily@yahoo.com
Sunday, June 11, 2006
The Work At Home Dilemma...Should It Be A Job Or A Business?
So you have decided to work at home (either by choice or necessity) and now you are faced with the decision as to whether to pursue a work at home job or to start a home based business. That may sound like a minor distinction, but this can pose a dilemma as the differences can actually be quite significant.
A general psychological characterization of the entrepreneurial spirit, says they are typically people who have a high energy level, set long-term goals, feel quite self-confident, and view money and financial security as a measure of accomplishment and piece of mind.
They are further characterized as problem solvers, who take risks, learn from their failures (as well as those of others), accept personal responsibility, seize the initiative, and use all available resources to achieve their success.
Entrepreneurs compete with themselves and believe that success or failure lies within their personal control or influence. They do not see setbacks as failures, but rather as learning experiences. Most of all, they exhibit persistence and tenacity, never giving up and never quitting the quest for success.
If you fit most of these criteria, you would probably elect to start a home business instead of undertaking a work at home job. However, the decision to work at home does not necessarily mean that you want to be the owner of a business. You may prefer working at home for an already established company. This is often easier to do than owning a business yourself and you may not want all the headaches, responsibilities and obligations that come with owning your own business.
Regardless of which path (job or business) you choose, the first step is to figure out what business or work-from-home opportunity you want to pursue. There are many excellent information sources such as public libraries and Internet sites that list seemingly countless home business and work at home job opportunities. The abundance is so great that it might well lead to confusion.
One of the most important factors is often overlooked. This is your personal inventory. Often this will yield some direction and focus to the business or job selection process. Assess yourself and your situation. Write a resume for yourself that includes your background, education, training as well as any particular on-the-job skills you possess that could possibly be used in a venture or job. Also look at your leisure-time activities and hobbies, because many businesses result from a person following their "passion." Ask yourself how much time you can realistically put into a business venture, given your present commitments.
Once you have determined the general type of home business or work at home job that you want to undertake, it is of critical importance that you do your homework (research) to select the specific opportunity where you are going to make your "investment" (some combination of time, effort and money) in working at home.
About The Author
Kirk Bannerman operates his own successful home based business and also coaches others seeking to start their own home based business. For more information visit his website at http://www.home-based-business-team.com for more details.
A general psychological characterization of the entrepreneurial spirit, says they are typically people who have a high energy level, set long-term goals, feel quite self-confident, and view money and financial security as a measure of accomplishment and piece of mind.
They are further characterized as problem solvers, who take risks, learn from their failures (as well as those of others), accept personal responsibility, seize the initiative, and use all available resources to achieve their success.
Entrepreneurs compete with themselves and believe that success or failure lies within their personal control or influence. They do not see setbacks as failures, but rather as learning experiences. Most of all, they exhibit persistence and tenacity, never giving up and never quitting the quest for success.
If you fit most of these criteria, you would probably elect to start a home business instead of undertaking a work at home job. However, the decision to work at home does not necessarily mean that you want to be the owner of a business. You may prefer working at home for an already established company. This is often easier to do than owning a business yourself and you may not want all the headaches, responsibilities and obligations that come with owning your own business.
Regardless of which path (job or business) you choose, the first step is to figure out what business or work-from-home opportunity you want to pursue. There are many excellent information sources such as public libraries and Internet sites that list seemingly countless home business and work at home job opportunities. The abundance is so great that it might well lead to confusion.
One of the most important factors is often overlooked. This is your personal inventory. Often this will yield some direction and focus to the business or job selection process. Assess yourself and your situation. Write a resume for yourself that includes your background, education, training as well as any particular on-the-job skills you possess that could possibly be used in a venture or job. Also look at your leisure-time activities and hobbies, because many businesses result from a person following their "passion." Ask yourself how much time you can realistically put into a business venture, given your present commitments.
Once you have determined the general type of home business or work at home job that you want to undertake, it is of critical importance that you do your homework (research) to select the specific opportunity where you are going to make your "investment" (some combination of time, effort and money) in working at home.
About The Author
Kirk Bannerman operates his own successful home based business and also coaches others seeking to start their own home based business. For more information visit his website at http://www.home-based-business-team.com for more details.
Thursday, June 8, 2006
The Laundry Has Never Been More Fun Or The Pitfalls To Working At Home
As a home-based, self-employed woman, mundane tasks can be as compelling to me as chocolate. Laundry. Dishes. Email. Try as I might to stay focused on running my business, at times, these uninspiring tasks beckon to me as a moth to a flame.
Why, you might ask, do I compare the common task of laundry to the delightful and satisfying experience of chocolate? It’s not that I adore the opportunity to do household chores, but sometimes any distraction is easier and more enjoyable than hunkering down to work.
It begs the question, why do I want to avoid my work? I love my business. There’s nothing I’d rather do for a living. It gives me the opportunity to be creative, serve people and hopefully give back to the world. I’m bountifully aware of the benefits.
I know I’m not alone in this dilemma, I hear it all the time, procrastination; lack of focus and distraction is a universal challenges for self-employed people. What’s more, for the self-employed person working from home, this treacherous trio can become a slippery slope.
Before I offer solutions and tips for improving focus and productivity, consider what underlying issues might be at the root of your problem.
You can’t build a strong foundation on sand. Any attempt to construct supporting structures or find solutions won’t last if you haven’t paid attention to the basics.
Begin by moving through a self-evaluation to discover if you have a foundational issue at the root. If you do, don’t get discouraged or mired in it. You can address it in a way that will move you forward. As a person smarter than me once said, “denial’s not a river in Egypt” and they were right!
Examples of underlying issues that can be at the root of distraction or procrastination can be:
Anything you don’t want to face or deal with regarding your business. Are sales sluggish? Are you worried about cash flow? Are you dissatisfied with your work and need to make a shift? Do you lack confidence or skills you need to accomplish your mission? Are you afraid of rejection, failing, succeeding, being too visible?
If so, you’re not alone. If you can relate to any of these questions don’t worry, they’re NOT insurmountable. What CAN be insurmountable is the daily energy drain of procrastination, lack of focus and distraction. Once you name and claim the true “problem” you have a real shot at fixing it.
What will you do to address what you discovered? You can work with these issues in a variety of ways from inner reflection to requesting outside assistance. I challenge you to commit to this.
Here are the solutions and tips I promised:
1. Take your work seriously. Create a distinction between work time and home time. Make sure everyone in your family and your friends know your schedule. You might need to train your loved ones. Conversely, when you’re done with work, be done with work and turn off the computer and phone.
2. Have a separate space designated for work. Close the door. This is an important psychological and literal necessity to create boundaries. Also, make sure your work doesn’t drift all over your home. Even in tight quarters, there are numerous storage container systems that with minimal investment will create a harmonious shared environment.
3. Dress for work. It’s tempting to stay in your cozy sweats. After all who’s gonna know? This subtle action sends a message to your subconscious. It also helps you “put on” your professional hat when engaging with customers. Just like smiling, when you’re doing business on the phone, conveys a clear, positive attitude customers can feel, so does dressing the part.
4. Make a workday/work week schedule and stick to it. Divide your time into categories of activities such as working “in” your business (this is the actual work you do), working “on” your business (this includes the support work you do to make your business function), thinking time, lunchtime, whatever you want to include in your day.
5. Schedule your personal chores and errands around your work time. Resist the temptation to throw in a load of wash between work activities. Five minutes here and there can add up and before you know it you’re wondering why you didn’t get as much accomplished as you intended.
Working from home is a wonderful opportunity full of many benefits and advantages or it can be like a pebble in your shoe, a constant source of friction and frustration. You have the choice. Clear any obstacles at the root of your frustration. Make sure you take time to put supportive systems in place. I guarantee it will make the difference in your level of success and fulfillment.
Ok, now I’m off to do the laundry…just kidding.
It’s YOUR life…live it completely!
About The Author
Helaine is a professional coach. She helps entrepreneurs and professional women accelerate their professional success, while achieving a more complete and fulfilling personal life. For a free consultation, call 603-357-8546. Visit her website, http://www.pathofpurpose.com, or email helaine@pathofpurpose.com.
Why, you might ask, do I compare the common task of laundry to the delightful and satisfying experience of chocolate? It’s not that I adore the opportunity to do household chores, but sometimes any distraction is easier and more enjoyable than hunkering down to work.
It begs the question, why do I want to avoid my work? I love my business. There’s nothing I’d rather do for a living. It gives me the opportunity to be creative, serve people and hopefully give back to the world. I’m bountifully aware of the benefits.
I know I’m not alone in this dilemma, I hear it all the time, procrastination; lack of focus and distraction is a universal challenges for self-employed people. What’s more, for the self-employed person working from home, this treacherous trio can become a slippery slope.
Before I offer solutions and tips for improving focus and productivity, consider what underlying issues might be at the root of your problem.
You can’t build a strong foundation on sand. Any attempt to construct supporting structures or find solutions won’t last if you haven’t paid attention to the basics.
Begin by moving through a self-evaluation to discover if you have a foundational issue at the root. If you do, don’t get discouraged or mired in it. You can address it in a way that will move you forward. As a person smarter than me once said, “denial’s not a river in Egypt” and they were right!
Examples of underlying issues that can be at the root of distraction or procrastination can be:
Anything you don’t want to face or deal with regarding your business. Are sales sluggish? Are you worried about cash flow? Are you dissatisfied with your work and need to make a shift? Do you lack confidence or skills you need to accomplish your mission? Are you afraid of rejection, failing, succeeding, being too visible?
If so, you’re not alone. If you can relate to any of these questions don’t worry, they’re NOT insurmountable. What CAN be insurmountable is the daily energy drain of procrastination, lack of focus and distraction. Once you name and claim the true “problem” you have a real shot at fixing it.
What will you do to address what you discovered? You can work with these issues in a variety of ways from inner reflection to requesting outside assistance. I challenge you to commit to this.
Here are the solutions and tips I promised:
1. Take your work seriously. Create a distinction between work time and home time. Make sure everyone in your family and your friends know your schedule. You might need to train your loved ones. Conversely, when you’re done with work, be done with work and turn off the computer and phone.
2. Have a separate space designated for work. Close the door. This is an important psychological and literal necessity to create boundaries. Also, make sure your work doesn’t drift all over your home. Even in tight quarters, there are numerous storage container systems that with minimal investment will create a harmonious shared environment.
3. Dress for work. It’s tempting to stay in your cozy sweats. After all who’s gonna know? This subtle action sends a message to your subconscious. It also helps you “put on” your professional hat when engaging with customers. Just like smiling, when you’re doing business on the phone, conveys a clear, positive attitude customers can feel, so does dressing the part.
4. Make a workday/work week schedule and stick to it. Divide your time into categories of activities such as working “in” your business (this is the actual work you do), working “on” your business (this includes the support work you do to make your business function), thinking time, lunchtime, whatever you want to include in your day.
5. Schedule your personal chores and errands around your work time. Resist the temptation to throw in a load of wash between work activities. Five minutes here and there can add up and before you know it you’re wondering why you didn’t get as much accomplished as you intended.
Working from home is a wonderful opportunity full of many benefits and advantages or it can be like a pebble in your shoe, a constant source of friction and frustration. You have the choice. Clear any obstacles at the root of your frustration. Make sure you take time to put supportive systems in place. I guarantee it will make the difference in your level of success and fulfillment.
Ok, now I’m off to do the laundry…just kidding.
It’s YOUR life…live it completely!
About The Author
Helaine is a professional coach. She helps entrepreneurs and professional women accelerate their professional success, while achieving a more complete and fulfilling personal life. For a free consultation, call 603-357-8546. Visit her website, http://www.pathofpurpose.com, or email helaine@pathofpurpose.com.
Monday, June 5, 2006
Traits of a Work At Home Online Entrepreneur
Passion, Passion, Passion, every motivational instructor and books will tell you that you can only excel in whatever you do ONLY if you have the passion within you. This is a MUST have fundamental requirement for every Entrepreneur.
- When you make the decision to start an online business, make sure you create a burning passion for it.
An Entrepreneur MUST have a strong believe in himself and in the things he does. He must not be easily swayed by the opinions and comments of others. As long as your conscience is clear and believe that it can be done, you need not seek the approval and nasty comments of others. Your ability to make independent decision will be your MOST valuable asset.
- Many people may tell you that online business doesn't work, there are scams all around. Of course, any business have it failures and success, same goes for online business. If you believe online business is for you, go all the way to learn more about it and find ways to do it. Your mind is your only limitation. If the Wright brothers did not believe that one day humans can fly in the sky like the birds, then Aeroplanes will not exists today.
Entrepreneurs need to be flexible with their time. Every entrepreneurs need to commit a great deal of energy and time to their business in order for it to succeed. Sometime, it might threaten the balance of your family life. Therefore, plan your time wisely with your family as well as your business. As long you don't lose your business focus, a balance family and business life will help you to de-stress when necessary.
- When you start your venture into your online business, plan your time probably and once it is up you must disciple yourself to STOP. Plan your time to surf for information per day, if you are submitting free articles to ezine, article directory, allocate an amount of time daily and once it is use up, STOP. Many entrepreneurs got burn out as they just keep going on and on without STOPPING.
Don't just work for money. To succeed and survive as an entrepreneurs, you must treat your business as your hobby and learn to enjoy the process of building the business and growing it. Always asked yourself, will you do it for the sake of knowledge accumulation and enjoyment even if you are not paid a single cents.
- Treat your online business as a hobby you enjoy. You are curious on how it work, how online marketing is done, you want to learn more about search engine optimization etc. Assume that you are attending your dream course, a Degree in Work At Home Online Business. Once you loved what you do, success will soon follows.
Finally, you must not FEAR failure. Without failure there are no success. Many entrepreneur experience many failures before they succeeded. They learn to take failures as part of their life as an entrepreneur.
- Assuming that you are operating an affiliate online business, if things doesn't work out, find out the reasons, find another affiliate to join. Learn from your previous mistakes and keep learning and improving your knowledge on how to succeed in affiliate marketing.
Wishing all of you fulfill your dreams as an Entrepreneur.
© Arthur, The Online Biz Home
About The Author
Copyright © Arthur
"Opportunity are often shy, you just have to keep looking for them." Learning and putting what you learn into Action is the key to success in operating a successful Work At Home Online Business.
Visit: http://www.sap-basis-abap.com/homebusiness/
- When you make the decision to start an online business, make sure you create a burning passion for it.
An Entrepreneur MUST have a strong believe in himself and in the things he does. He must not be easily swayed by the opinions and comments of others. As long as your conscience is clear and believe that it can be done, you need not seek the approval and nasty comments of others. Your ability to make independent decision will be your MOST valuable asset.
- Many people may tell you that online business doesn't work, there are scams all around. Of course, any business have it failures and success, same goes for online business. If you believe online business is for you, go all the way to learn more about it and find ways to do it. Your mind is your only limitation. If the Wright brothers did not believe that one day humans can fly in the sky like the birds, then Aeroplanes will not exists today.
Entrepreneurs need to be flexible with their time. Every entrepreneurs need to commit a great deal of energy and time to their business in order for it to succeed. Sometime, it might threaten the balance of your family life. Therefore, plan your time wisely with your family as well as your business. As long you don't lose your business focus, a balance family and business life will help you to de-stress when necessary.
- When you start your venture into your online business, plan your time probably and once it is up you must disciple yourself to STOP. Plan your time to surf for information per day, if you are submitting free articles to ezine, article directory, allocate an amount of time daily and once it is use up, STOP. Many entrepreneurs got burn out as they just keep going on and on without STOPPING.
Don't just work for money. To succeed and survive as an entrepreneurs, you must treat your business as your hobby and learn to enjoy the process of building the business and growing it. Always asked yourself, will you do it for the sake of knowledge accumulation and enjoyment even if you are not paid a single cents.
- Treat your online business as a hobby you enjoy. You are curious on how it work, how online marketing is done, you want to learn more about search engine optimization etc. Assume that you are attending your dream course, a Degree in Work At Home Online Business. Once you loved what you do, success will soon follows.
Finally, you must not FEAR failure. Without failure there are no success. Many entrepreneur experience many failures before they succeeded. They learn to take failures as part of their life as an entrepreneur.
- Assuming that you are operating an affiliate online business, if things doesn't work out, find out the reasons, find another affiliate to join. Learn from your previous mistakes and keep learning and improving your knowledge on how to succeed in affiliate marketing.
Wishing all of you fulfill your dreams as an Entrepreneur.
© Arthur, The Online Biz Home
About The Author
Copyright © Arthur
"Opportunity are often shy, you just have to keep looking for them." Learning and putting what you learn into Action is the key to success in operating a successful Work At Home Online Business.
Visit: http://www.sap-basis-abap.com/homebusiness/
Friday, June 2, 2006
Seven Tips For Work-At-Home Motivation
Considering a work-from-home business? Clients often say their biggest fear is loss of momentum. Here are ten tips to keep yourself motivated and productive.
(1) Build structure into your day.
Create a schedule and To Do list every evening for the next day, before you sign off for the day. (And yes – it is important to sign off, even if you return later to complete a project.) Include breaks and email reading time.
(2) Define goals by numbers ("write 1000 words") instead of time ("2 hours on Mega account"). One of the joys of working at home is you get to quit when you’re finished ahead of schedule.
(2) Train friends and neighbors to respect your working hours.
Clients tell me about neighbors who say things like, "I told the UPS truck to leave the package at your house since you’re always home." Discourage phone calls with a prepared response, like "I will call you after four o’clock today." You will be tested. Prepare to hang tough.
(3) Get the family on board.
Deal with their concerns before you start and be prepared to show how you are creating a win-win situation. Clarify what counts as an emergency – a valid reason to interrupt while you are working - and what can wait till dinnertime.
(4) Build breaks into your schedule.
When I started my own business, I was warned, "Plan to get out of the house! Otherwise you'll never leave your desk."
Frankly, I didn’t get it.
Why wouldn’t I take breaks? Now as I find myself answering just one more email, or adding two more paragraphs to an article, I see the clock move and realize I must stop if I want to get to the gym or the store before closing time.
Bonus Tip: A dog will force you to get moving, no matter what else is going on in your life.
(5) Make promises you will be motivated to keep.
My weekly ezine motivates me to write at least one article a week. You may be energized by company and client deadlines.
As your responsibilities grow, you will tend to accumulate more and more "real" deadlines and it’s easier to stay motivated. But in the early stages, you’re isolated, you’re working hard and results don’t appear immediately. That’s why some people hire coaches and consultants to create accountability.
(7) Give yourself time to test your commitment.
Not everyone enjoys the work-at-home option. My clients tell me they need six to twelve months to decide how they are responding to this arrangement. You may decide to return to a workplace where you can see real people everyday. Or you may get hooked on having a dog-friendly, gossip-free workplace where you can open the windows all year round.
About The Author
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com
"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com
Contact: mailto:cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294
(1) Build structure into your day.
Create a schedule and To Do list every evening for the next day, before you sign off for the day. (And yes – it is important to sign off, even if you return later to complete a project.) Include breaks and email reading time.
(2) Define goals by numbers ("write 1000 words") instead of time ("2 hours on Mega account"). One of the joys of working at home is you get to quit when you’re finished ahead of schedule.
(2) Train friends and neighbors to respect your working hours.
Clients tell me about neighbors who say things like, "I told the UPS truck to leave the package at your house since you’re always home." Discourage phone calls with a prepared response, like "I will call you after four o’clock today." You will be tested. Prepare to hang tough.
(3) Get the family on board.
Deal with their concerns before you start and be prepared to show how you are creating a win-win situation. Clarify what counts as an emergency – a valid reason to interrupt while you are working - and what can wait till dinnertime.
(4) Build breaks into your schedule.
When I started my own business, I was warned, "Plan to get out of the house! Otherwise you'll never leave your desk."
Frankly, I didn’t get it.
Why wouldn’t I take breaks? Now as I find myself answering just one more email, or adding two more paragraphs to an article, I see the clock move and realize I must stop if I want to get to the gym or the store before closing time.
Bonus Tip: A dog will force you to get moving, no matter what else is going on in your life.
(5) Make promises you will be motivated to keep.
My weekly ezine motivates me to write at least one article a week. You may be energized by company and client deadlines.
As your responsibilities grow, you will tend to accumulate more and more "real" deadlines and it’s easier to stay motivated. But in the early stages, you’re isolated, you’re working hard and results don’t appear immediately. That’s why some people hire coaches and consultants to create accountability.
(7) Give yourself time to test your commitment.
Not everyone enjoys the work-at-home option. My clients tell me they need six to twelve months to decide how they are responding to this arrangement. You may decide to return to a workplace where you can see real people everyday. Or you may get hooked on having a dog-friendly, gossip-free workplace where you can open the windows all year round.
About The Author
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com
"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com
Contact: mailto:cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294
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