Be Careful That Your Home Based Business Doesn't Make You A Slave
By Kirk Bannerman
Working at home in your own
home based business has sort of a
natural appeal for an ever
increasing number of people.
The reasons people express for wanting to work from home are many and varied,
but most home based business owners cite the ability to set their own hours as
a major factor in their decision to work at home.
However, many people that have work at home businesses often fall into a trap that
flies directly in the face of their stated desire for time flexibility.
The strong growth in home based business activity continues and, according to the
Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, fifty-two percent of ALL small
businesses are home-based.
Some home based business owners have been known to become "workaholics"
because their office is so accessible. Don't become a slave to your business...get out
of your home office regularly to renew and revitalize yourself.
Close the door to your office or otherwise remove yourself from your designated
"work area" and go into your "home" area to live your personal life. If your business
involves the use of the telephone and you find it difficult to ignore a ringing
phone in the office, simply turn the ringer off and turn the volume on the answering
machine way down. If your business is Internet based, just turn off your computer
(or at least get away from the monitor and keyboard).
As a work-at-home business entrepreneur, you certainly aren't required to be
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week just because your business is located in
your home. After all, your office or workspace is just an area in your home...its not
your home itself!
Working and living under the same roof has a host of advantages, but it can present
some challenges (in addition to the workaholic syndrome mentioned, above) and
stress factors.
Here are four ways to create a less stressful home business environment:
1. Remember why you wanted to become involved with a home-based business (i.e.
more time for family, work schedule flexibility, etc.)
2. Have discussions with your family members and get their input about the
working arrangements and the amount of time they want with you.
3. Use good time management techniques. Keep a list of tasks by order of
importance. There are many low cost and effective "day
planners" or "organizers" readily available today.
4. ALWAYS take a little time to "smell the roses".
While not experiencing the negatives common to a corporate office working
environment, the home-based business owner may occasionally experience stresses
and frustrations that are unique to working at home.
Networking with other home-based and small business owners provides an
opportunity to connect with others who may be experiencing the same stresses and
frustrations that you are. Sharing stressful and/or frustrating issues with someone
else in the same situation can relieve your stress and may bring you good advice
from a different point of view.
As a final note, remember to observe Home-Based Business Week each year (it is
always the week of October that includes the second Tuesday).
About the author: Kirk Bannerman operates a successful home based business and coaches
others seeking to start their own home based business. Visit his website at Legitimate Home
Based Business
By Kirk Bannerman
Working at home in your own
home based business has sort of a
natural appeal for an ever
increasing number of people.
The reasons people express for wanting to work from home are many and varied,
but most home based business owners cite the ability to set their own hours as
a major factor in their decision to work at home.
However, many people that have work at home businesses often fall into a trap that
flies directly in the face of their stated desire for time flexibility.
The strong growth in home based business activity continues and, according to the
Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, fifty-two percent of ALL small
businesses are home-based.
Some home based business owners have been known to become "workaholics"
because their office is so accessible. Don't become a slave to your business...get out
of your home office regularly to renew and revitalize yourself.
Close the door to your office or otherwise remove yourself from your designated
"work area" and go into your "home" area to live your personal life. If your business
involves the use of the telephone and you find it difficult to ignore a ringing
phone in the office, simply turn the ringer off and turn the volume on the answering
machine way down. If your business is Internet based, just turn off your computer
(or at least get away from the monitor and keyboard).
As a work-at-home business entrepreneur, you certainly aren't required to be
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week just because your business is located in
your home. After all, your office or workspace is just an area in your home...its not
your home itself!
Working and living under the same roof has a host of advantages, but it can present
some challenges (in addition to the workaholic syndrome mentioned, above) and
stress factors.
Here are four ways to create a less stressful home business environment:
1. Remember why you wanted to become involved with a home-based business (i.e.
more time for family, work schedule flexibility, etc.)
2. Have discussions with your family members and get their input about the
working arrangements and the amount of time they want with you.
3. Use good time management techniques. Keep a list of tasks by order of
importance. There are many low cost and effective "day
planners" or "organizers" readily available today.
4. ALWAYS take a little time to "smell the roses".
While not experiencing the negatives common to a corporate office working
environment, the home-based business owner may occasionally experience stresses
and frustrations that are unique to working at home.
Networking with other home-based and small business owners provides an
opportunity to connect with others who may be experiencing the same stresses and
frustrations that you are. Sharing stressful and/or frustrating issues with someone
else in the same situation can relieve your stress and may bring you good advice
from a different point of view.
As a final note, remember to observe Home-Based Business Week each year (it is
always the week of October that includes the second Tuesday).
About the author: Kirk Bannerman operates a successful home based business and coaches
others seeking to start their own home based business. Visit his website at Legitimate Home
Based Business
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