Early warning "Working for yourself" has a pleasant ring to it, doesn't it? No more commutes. Forget the alarm clock. Take a break when you want, not when someone else says you must. Special program on TV? Go ahead and watch it. It's your choice, and you make all the decisions. Join the right program and the money comes in without work. That's the impression you might get if you believe some of the advertising you see on the Internet and elsewhere. It's bogus, and if this is how you think your life will be, at least in the beginning, stick with your day job. With this attitude, your living expenses will far outstrip your income, if there is any income, and you will soon be looking for a job, if there are any of those available for you. Sorry to be so rough, but it's better you examine yourself and your motivations now rather than later. Temptations Being in business for yourself, especially a home-based business, puts many time-wasting temptations in your path, and you need a solid dose of self-discipline and organization to be successful. After all, if running your own business at home was as easy as the ads would have you believe, no one would work for an employer. Here are 10 tips that should help: " It is important to prioritize what you do. If an activity does not make money or lead to making money, give it the lowest priority.
" Make a list of everything you need to do in your day. You've heard this before, but do you do it? Prepare your list late the day before, so that you can start right in on your top priority project without distractions. Prioritize the list. You will be amazed by how much more you will achieve each day.
" If there are low-priority items left at the end of the day, either add them to the next day's list or delete them.
" Have a set hour each day to be at your desk and working on the first priority on your list. If you're tired and would rather stay in bed an extra hour, don't give in to the temptation; resolve to go to bed earlier at the end of the day instead.
" Resolve to let nothing and no one derail your work day unless there is a dire emergency. Social events and errands do not count as dire emergencies.
" Studying what you need to know to be successful is not part of a work day. That is a task for the evening, like going to night school. It is, however, an important task and you should not ignore it. Learn all you can, and then learn some more.
" 'Thinking' time is also important. This is when you will develop fresh ideas and different and perhaps more efficient ways to do things. But it also is not a working-hours activity. Learn to think 'out of the box'.
" The two points above refer to the fact that we need to guard against work avoidance. Sometimes, when there is a task to be done, we find excuses to put off what we don't enjoy doing. Be conscious of this robber of time. Time is one of your most precious assets. Money can be replaced; time cannot.
" If there is a piece of paper on your desk, or an e-mail in your In Box, deal with it once. Act on it, file it for later attention, or chuck it. Deal with each piece of correspondence once only. Have on your desk only the single task with which you are now dealing.
" Have a single time in the day when you look at e-mails or other correspondence. Deal with it at that time. Don't be distracted from your priorities by e-mails at other times of the day. Success with a home-based business depends perhaps more than any other type of occupation on you having a success-focused mindset. You need to be tough with yourself, and able to make conscious decisions to sacrifice what you might otherwise wish to do so that you can make a success of your business. Balance Having said that, it is also important to have balance in your life. Make sure you set aside time for family and friends, and use some discipline not to infringe on that time. Don't impose this time; consult your family first. You are asking them to make sacrifices, too; make sure they are part of that decision-making process. Take time also to look after your health. Eat and exercise regularly. It is hard to succeed in business without maintaining your health. To be at peak mental and physical performance, you need physical training. Business may not be the Olympics, but it is demanding. What about those good times on the beach, working just a few hours a day with your laptop? If that is your goal, it is quite achievable. This is a lifestyle enjoyed by countless thousands of successful people. But it comes after they are successful. To get to that point, you must work smart and creatively. And you must use all the self-discipline you can muster. Are you up to the task? If so, you will let nothing stop you. |
