You've started your own home business and it's a beautiful
thing. You've finally achieved your dream and gotten out of
the rat- race. You've emerged triumphant from the commuters
nightmare; you set your own hours, set your own dress-code and
call your own shots. The world is your oyster and your raring
to go, just be careful you don't fall into the classic
"non-productive" work-at- home trap.
One of the most common problems behind the failure of a home
business is lack of productivity. People get out on their
own, and find that they just don't get things done. In the
excitement of getting away from the frustrating rigors of the
corporate world, people sometimes forget to bring a little of
that corporate structure and discipline home with them.
When you've got no one to answer to, procrastination and poor
time management can creep into your routine, and they're
killers. Now I'm not suggesting you go running back to your
cubicle in that generic high-rise downtown, merely that you
take some of the productive elements of a 9-5 job and
incorporate them into your home business. Here are some basic
pointers:
First: Set a schedule. This is crucial to success. Saying
"I'll get to work sometime this afternoon," just doesn't work.
Something always comes up. Your work time has to be a top
priority, so set a schedule and stick to it. Maybe this is
7-3 when the kids are at school, or maybe this is late at
night when the kids are in bed, or a combination of both.
Regardless of the time you choose, make sure you honor it.
Second: Police your productivity: Now that you're your own
boss there's nobody looking over your shoulder. This is a
great feeling, but it can also lessen your productivity. Once
you sit down at your work desk, make sure you're being as
productive as possible. No computer games, no web surfing, no
personal phone calls. Now, don't chain yourself to your desk,
that would defeat the purpose of working at home, just be as
productive as possible. You can always schedule breaks and
phone time, after all you're calling the shots.
Third: Dress the part. This may seem silly, but it's really
important. If you're dressed for business, you're more likely
to keep your mind on business. Be comfortable, but look
sharp. You don't have to wear a business suit, since you're
at home you can go a little more casual, just don't sit around
in your pajamas all day. You'll be surprised how lethargic
that can make you.
Fourth: Create an effective work space. The basics of daily
life are more disruptive than you realize. If you're stopping
every few minutes to deal with kids, dog, and spouse, if
there's a television on in the room or if you're right by the
family phone, you're not going to get a lot done. Set aside a
quiet, out-of-the-way office space in your house and make it
off limits during your work hours. This may be a spare room,
or just the corner of your bedroom. Whichever you choose,
just make sure there's a door between you and the world.
Once you have your space, decorate it and keep it neat. Set
up your space like a real office. Put up a couple of
pictures, hang up your diploma, get a plant, whatever you
think will motivate you. Then keep your papers organized and
your trash bin emptied. A nice looking, organized space will
really contribute to your productivity.
Take your home business seriously. If you follow these tips,
you'll find yourself getting a lot more work done, and that
only means more profit. There's money to be made out there if
you know how to do it.
