Is Life Getting In the Way of Your Home-Based Business? 5 Steps
to Take Today to Keep Yourself on Tr
Working from home provides the ultimate experience of freedom in
many ways, but at the same time it can easily allow a freedom we
take for granted - a freedom that if not appreciated, can
actually sabotage our success.
In the corporate world we have structures, deadlines, rules and
bosses to keep things in order and on track. These are often the
elements entrepreneurs want to escape from when they start a
home-based business.
Although these fundamentals have their place in the corporate
world and can be viewed by entrepreneurial spirits as
restrictive, provoking and unnecessary - they play a significant
role in assuring a successful home business environment as well.
As a government employee for 12 years, I often felt smothered
and restricted by the regimental practices that guided daily
work life. When I left my position to run my home-based business
it felt as though 200 pounds had been lifted from my shoulders.
I was finally free to do what I loved, how I chose, when I chose.
Structure and good time management have always been a part of my
personal repertoire, but were put to the ultimate test when I
started working from home full-time.
When I was an employee, I spent my evenings and weekends
pursuing accreditation in Life Strategy and Business Coaching,
and building my business. There was no room for distraction or
activities that would take me away from my dream.
Structure was rigid and discipline was strong.
Once my formal education was complete and I was financially
secure enough to leave my government position, it seemed only
natural that maintaining the same level of structure and
discipline would continue.
This was not the case.
It didn't take long for more relaxed, carefree thinking to
dominate my actions and behaviors. I would schedule personal
appointments in the middle of the day that would interrupt my
work for extended periods of time
I'd accept invitations to impromptu lunch and shopping dates. I
assured myself I'd make up the time by working in the evening,
but by then my energy levels were often in low supply and I was
ineffective.
I would leave my office door open and allow household
distractions into my workspace. When my personal phone line
would ring, I'd pick it up only to be sidetracked by a
telemarketer. I also chose to present my family with home-cooked
dinners every night, which took hours away from my business.
In only a matter of weeks, I could see the impact lack of formal
structure was having on my business. I was lured by life's daily
distractions and it was becoming apparent in my productivity
levels and my business' bottom line.
I had allowed my focus to blur, my energy to wane, and business
to take a back seat. I didn't feel productive. I would scramble
to meet deadlines for article submissions and was fully aware of
the long-term result I would create if I continued this way.
It was amazing to discover how easy it was for me, someone who
has always been so structured and organized, to fall into
complacency so quickly once the responsibility fell entirely on
my shoulders.
In order to stop the defeating behavior and break the carefree
cycle, I re-instituted rules and processes immediately. I
returned to "flow" and became productive again.
I survived the "bump" and thankfully with little setback.
I'm all too aware how easy it is to let daily life blend with
home business life and that's actually a part of the attraction
of becoming a home-based business owner.
The important thing to remember is there is an immense need for
structure, routine and processes; otherwise you may easily
become caught up in the demands of daily living without
realizing it until it's too late.
Here are 5 simple steps to get started:
1. Keep your workspace door closed at all times, or even better,
completely separate from the family living space.
2. Designate specific hours of operation and make sure your
friends and family understand that you are not to be disturbed
during these times.
3. Silence the ringer of your private phone line in your office
or workspace, or better yet, don't have a personal line in this
area at all. Let your machine collect your calls and return them
at a time that suits you.
4. If you need to make personal appointments, schedule them for
the same day instead of intermittently throughout the week. This
will allow for several days of uninterrupted business operation.
5. Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Maybe you don't have to
get up at 6 a.m. any more for your one-hour commute, but it's
still important to go to bed at a reasonable time to ensure
sufficient sleep. Irregular sleep patterns will have a negative
effect on your productivity, creativity and enthusiasm.
Remember that running a home-based business is no different than
running any other type of business. Structure is necessary.
Discipline is compulsory - and processes are required.
Keep these important elements in mind. Incorporate them into
your daily business activities and your home and business life
will reap the rewards. 2006