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A Home Business Could Ruin Your Family Life |
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| Publisher: |
Naz Daud |
| Date: |
2008-03-05 |
| Word count : |
545 |
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Running a business from home could put a strain on your family life. You have now turned what was once a family home where people came to relax after work or school, into a business environment. When you were working outside the house, your partner only saw you for a few hours every day. Now s/he can not get away from you without leaving the house. No longer is there a clear distinction between work and family related matters. The children get fed up with you taking over the house. They used to love coming home and playing, shouting and screaming after working hard at school. Now not only do they have to behave and be quieter, but you also try and rope them in to help you with daily business tasks! You need to think about how your work is affecting your family mentally. What extra stresses and strains do they face now that they did not before? If you have had a bad day in your business do you take it out on your family? Remember this is a family home first and a business second or is it the other way around? Your family went through hell when the home business was struggling. It gets even worse for the family when the business starts doing well. All of a sudden more people are visiting the house. You get even more mail and deliveries… and the phone does not stop ringing? Now even the neighbours are starting to get annoyed! So how do your overcome these problems? Well a great idea if at all possible is to have your office with its own entrance in a corner of the house. Even better, move it out of the house altogether perhaps in a purpose built building in the garden or convert the garage? A dedicated business line is a must and a separate mailbox is good idea. Try and organise as many meetings as you can away from the house. Not only do you get a break from being cooped up all day in the home office but at one stroke you reduce the traffic in your family home. I have a favourite hotel in Dundee that I used regularly. I am great friends with the manager of the hotel and the staff. I always used the same quiet area of the hotel and the manager referred to this area as my second office! Set aside hours where if at all possible you take a complete break from business life and dedicate this time for family life. This is not a hard and fast rule… you can break it now and then but be as strict as possible. Sooner or later if your business goes according to plan, you will either have to outsource a lot of work or alternatively think about getting dedicated premises away from the house. Outsourcing simple tasks like payrolls, book keeping and possibly even sales will allow you to do much more business before you have to make the move. Running a business from home offers so many advantages to the traditional route: lower overheads, less time spent on the daily commute, low running costs and much more. Make sure that it does not jeopardize your family relationships.
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business family home A Home Business Could Ruin Your Family Life Business Business |
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Related Article:A Home Business Could Ruin Your Family Life |
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Pedro Martinez |
2008-03-16 |
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Title: 6 Steps to Separate Your Personal Life from your Business
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If you work from home, you might be pulling "double duty". You probably work on your business while doing the laundry, corralling the kids, or fixing dinner and all the phone calls from family and friends expecting you to run errands or just "go out" for an afternoon of fun. The hardest parts of running a home business is to separate your work from your family and social life. Here are six ways to keep your home life running smoothly while keeping your business on track. 1. Make schedule and stick with it. You might want to answer personal calls during the day or take business calls after-hours, but doing this actually shows that you're expendable -- not dependable -- and people will take for granted that you'll "always be there" for any little things that come up. Even though family comes first, stay true to your business hours and resist the urge to chat with friends or pick up groceries during work hours. 2. Your friends may consider "working from home" an invitation to chat during the day or just go out for coffee or shopping. Make it clear that your business hours are just that -- for business. Leave personal calls for after-hours, and you'll find that your friends will accept your schedule. 3. A benefit of setting up a work schedule is not having to keep the same hours as everyone else. Set your own hours to fit your most productive times. Whether you're an early bird or a night owl, you'll get much more done when attuned to your body's own natural rhythms. Some people work in the morning, take a break in the afternoon when the kids are home from school, and work again in the evening. Schedule your work time when you feel the most productive and you'll find that things get done easier, faster and better than when you were dragging along during those same rigid work hours that everyone else has. 4. If getting after-hours business calls or work day personal calls is a problem, You might want separate phone line, or at least an answering machine or voice mail, to take the incoming calls. This also gives your business a more professional appearance to clients than if you and your family make and receive calls from the same phone line. 5. Try to separate your "home office" from the rest of your home. If you don't have the luxury of a separate room, a room partition or screen can be just as helpful and serves as a visual cue to family that you're working and shouldn't be bothered. 6. Dress and act professionally while working. It is helpful to dress in casual business attire during working hours to reinforce that just because you're working from home doesn't make you any less of a professional. Answer the phone with your name, or business name, and keep your children off the phone during business hours. You night want to spend money investing in the tools you need to do your job right. A cell phone, fax machine or even a budget computer can help turn your home office into a true workspace. If you follow all of these tips and stick with them, chances are you'll find a routine that not only makes you feel productive and active in your business, but also projects the message that you mean business -- literally! Pedro Martinez is an established Internet Marketing Advisor who has been helping hundreds to build successful Home Internet Business for over 10 years. To learn much more about how you can start an Internet Home Business stop by: http://www.bemoneymaking.com
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Matt Ryan |
2006-08-06 |
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Title: 5 Advantages of Working at Home
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5 Advantages of Working at Home By Matt There are a multitude of advantages of getting out of the grind, starting your own business and working at home. Working at home can be a risky proposition, but if successful you’re going to enjoy a much more fulfilling life and so will your family. In addition to that, keep in mind that the wealthiest out there work for themselves. Work at Home Advantage 1: Being there for your family!! Who are the most important people in your life? That’s right, your family!! By working for yourself at home you will be able to set your own hours AND be available when your family needs you. You won’t have to ask some boss permission if it’s okay for you to take your son or daughter to the dentist, YOU ARE THE BOSS. Work at Home Advantage 2: Working from home will actually save you money!! Yep, you read that correctly, you will save money working at home. You can say goodbye to that HUGE daycare bill, you’re working at home the kids do not need a babysitter. With the current rise in gas prices and auto repair working at home will keep gas in your tank and the wear off of your vehicle. If you use public transportation to get to work, well…YOU ARE WORKING AT HOME, no need to buy that bus pass anymore. Work at Home Advantage 3: Every weekend off!! Of course, this is optional. That’s right, it’s optional and is 100% up to you (look in the mirror, you’re working at home and you’re the boss remember). Ever wonder why most events are held on the weekends? Because there was once a time when most people didn’t work weekends, but in this day and age it is rare to find a job where you don’t have to work at least some Saturday’s or Sunday’s, or (egads!!) both!! By working at home you will be able to be one of the few who has every weekend off. Work at Home Advantage 4: Dress Code!! Working at home offers you the opportunity to dress exactly how you feel like dressing. Heck, if you don’t want to get dressed, then don’t!! There are a ton of work at home business owners who get out of bed, make some coffee and start working with nothing on but their underwear and, maybe, a pair of slippers. Work at Home Advantage 5: Your time is YOURS!! Oh yeah!! Use your time however you want to use your time, you are the one in charge now and you can be as efficient or as non-efficient as you want to be (warning, too much inefficiency may cause you to have to go work for somebody else again!). You set your own start time, your own stop time, your own break time…it’s all your time!! Those are just a few of the advantages of working at home and once you get off your duff and pull the string, you’re sure to find that the preceding five advantages are just the tip of the ice berg. Good Luck!! ------------------------------------------------ Matt is the owner/operator of the Top Work at Home List, a work at home and internet marketing resource and blog website. ------------------------------------------------
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Mike Law |
2005-07-31 |
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Title: 6 Easy Steps to Separating Your Personal Life from your Business
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If you work from home, chances are you already know that you’re really pulling “double duty”. You probably work on your business while doing the laundry, corralling the kids, or fixing dinner... and let’s not forget all the phone calls from family and friends expecting you to run errands or just "go out" for an afternoon of fun. One of the hardest parts of running a home business is separating your work from your family and social life. Here are six proven ways to keep your home life running smoothly while keeping your business on track. 1. First, create a work schedule and stick with it. It may be tempting to answer personal calls during the day or take business calls after-hours, but doing this actually shows that you’re expendable – not dependable – and people will take for granted that you’ll “always be there” for any little things that come up. Even though family comes first, stay true to your business hours and resist the urge to chat with friends or pick up groceries during working hours. 2. Your friends may consider “working from home” an invitation to chat during the day or just go out for coffee or shopping for an afternoon. Make it clear that your business hours are just that – for business. Leave personal calls for after-hours, and you’ll find that your friends will gradually accept your schedule without feeling slighted. 3. Just because you have to set up a work schedule, doesn’t mean that you have to keep the same hours as everyone else. One of the benefits of working for yourself is setting your own hours to fit your most productive times. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, you’ll find that you’ll get much more done when you’re attuned to your body’s own natural rhythms. Some people work in the morning, take a break in the afternoon when the kids are home from school, and work again in the evening. Schedule your work time when you feel the most productive and you’ll find that things get done easier, faster and better than when you were dragging along during those same rigid work hours that everyone else has. 4. If getting after-hours business calls or work day personal calls is a problem, it helps to have a separate business phone line, or at least an answering machine or voice mail, to take the incoming calls. This also gives your business a more professional appearance to clients than if you and your family make and receive calls from the same phone line. 5. If at all possible, try to separate your “home office” from the rest of your home. If you don’t have the luxury of a separate room, a room partition or screen can be just as helpful. This also serves as a visual cue to family that you’re working and shouldn’t be bothered. 6. Dress and act professionally while working. Some people find it helpful to dress in casual business attire during their working hours. This reinforces that just because you’re working from home doesn’t make you any less of a professional. Answer the phone with your name, or business name, and keep your children off the phone during business hours. Also, spend money investing in the tools you need to do your job right. A cell phone, fax machine or even a budget computer can help turn your home office into a true workspace. If you follow all of these tips and stick with them, chances are you’ll find a routine that not only makes you feel productive and active in your business, but also projects the message that you mean business – literally! www.pluginprofitsitebiz.info Complete Money Making Site Setup FREE! Whether you are looking for renewed strength, energy and vitality in your life, drug-free relief from arthritis and joint pain, or wanting to make a difference in your financial future by becoming a MonaVie distributor, www.mymonavie.com/wealthontap & www.whatismonavie.com/mikelaw Mike Law is a distributor of some the highest grade health and beauty products available. Rich in antioxidants and anti-aging nutrients, look and feel younger. Contact me or visit my sites to learn how to become a distributor yourself or simply to find out more about the products. www.wealthontap.usana.com Mike Law is also CEO of www.wealthontap.com whose mission is to better people’s lifestyles by substantially improving their health and or their financial status.
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Online Business Basics |
2003-02-16 |
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Title: Family Matters: Easing the Transition to a Home Business
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Ask any would-be entrepeneur why he or she wants to start a home based business and you'll get a wide variety of replies. Regardless of the reason, there's one thing for certain: starting a home business doesn't just affect you, the entrepreneur; it also affects your family. The change in lifestyle that comes with a home business requires adaptation from the entrepreneur as well as his or her spouse and children. So before you jump into the world of home business, have a frank discussion with your family about issues such as: __How Will You Separate Business and Family? Home businesses are particularly difficult to manage because they're just steps away from family life. You need to be able to concentrate fully on your business, yet when you spend time with the family you shouldn't be distracted by business matters -- or worse, tempted to go do 'just a little work.' Some things you can do to help keep business and family separate include: * Set 'office hours'. This is the time where you focus on your business without having to worry about the family. * Take time out for yourself. No one can work all the time, and you'll burn out if you try. Set aside some 'personal time' to exercise, read, or do something else you love. * Take a guilt-free day off with the family. Yes, an entire day away from the business! You'll feel more refreshed and better able to concentrate on the business afterwards. * Get organized and stay focused! The less time you have to spend searching for email, papers, etc., the more time you'll have to actually perform productive work. This will free up time so that you can do other things. __Will Family Members Contribute to the Business? Come to a clear understanding about what your spouse will or will not do. For example, you may ask for help during unexpected busy periods but not on a regular basis. Or you might agree that it's okay for your spouse to send or read business mail, but that you are the only one who answers the phone. It's best to set this straight from the beginning. Don't assume that your spouse is willing to help out. Likewise, don't assume that you'll have complete independence because "it's YOUR business". Come to an agreement -- it will help to lessen the stress for everyone. __How Will You Handle the Financing of Your Business? Money is almost always a big issue with families. A home business, particularly in the startup phase, is going to require funding. Your family may have become accustomed to a certain level of 'comfort' when it comes to luxuries such as dining out, recreation, spending money, and so on. Will any of this need to change, and if so, what? There are many ways to finance a home business, including: * Use income earned from your 'day job'. Many people continue to work their regular jobs in order to fund their home businesses. It is only until their home businesses are producing a reasonable income that they have the option to quit their jobs. * Finance your business with savings. If your savings were to be used for another purpose (for example, a family vacation or buying a home), how much of it are you willing to 'sacrifice' for your business, even if it's meant to be a 'temporary' loan? * Help from family and friends. Consider the possible impact on your personal relationships. Borrowing money from loved ones can lead to significant stress... for example, what do you do if someone suddenly needs or wants their money back and you aren't in the position to provide it? What happens if your business fails and you are unable to pay back loans? * Other sources such as loans, grants, lines of credit, and more. You can find a good list of options at the US Small Business Administration website: http://www.sba.gov/financing/ Discuss the options with your family to find something acceptable. You may also want to discuss it with a certified financial planner, who can also help you to develop a contingency plan for emergencies. __What Is the Impact on Normal Household Activity? Businesses require a great deal of time and effort -- and that goes double for the startup phase! While you work to get your business off the ground, how will daily household tasks be handled? Will your spouse and children help out more? It's not just the chores that need to be done, though. What happens if you work a day job and can only work on your business in the evenings -- when the family normally watches TV? If you aren't able to concentrate with the noise, you will have to discuss alternate arrangements with your family. __Managing the Children. Young children in particular will require some thought. Are they allowed to answer the phones, and if so, do you teach them how to do so? How do you handle children who are home while you're working on your business? There is no easy answer to this... every child has his own personality! One option is to hire a trusted babysitter to care for the children while you work. Your children will be safe and you will be free to concentrate. Another alternative is to give your children several "tasks" - throughout the day, they are expected to do various things, such as read a book, draw a picture, etc. Be sure to schedule breaks and 'playtime'! If you have the flexibility to do so, you could also work during the kids' naptime, when they're at regular outside activities (team sports, music lessons, etc) or while they're at school. __How Will Business 'Emergencies' Be Handled? Every so often business emergencies will arise. Whether it's a sudden big order that needs immediate processing, or you discover an error that must be fixed right away, you will be absorbed in your business with little time for anything else. Will family members be expected to take over certain tasks that are normally yours? Will they help you with your business during these times, ie. stapling, sorting, packaging, running chores, etc? Again, come to an understanding about what is expected from each member of the family during emergencies. __Schedule 'Family Time'. Someone once told me, 'My home business gives me the flexibility to work any 20 hours per day I like!' It's all too easy to get caught up in your business. Your family still needs and wants to see you, though, and if you spend all your time rushing off to do yet another business task, they may end up resenting you. If you have a hard time getting away from the "office", try scheduling certain times of the day or a day each week where you spend time with your family. During this time, business doesn't exist -- your family has your full attention. Many people start home businesses for family reasons... so don't get into the situation where you are forced to choose between your business and your family! The much-welcomed support of your family can be a tremendous help. _________ Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical guide to building an Internet business on a shoestring budget. If you're tired of hype and just want solid, down-to-earth information, then visit us now -- and in moments you can have access to loads of instantly useable tips, specifically chosen for beginners! http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html
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2008-05-04 |
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Title: Balancing A Home Business And An Office Career
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While many people struggle with just the concept of balancing a career and family life, still others are trying to find a way to have a successful career to pay the bills and get a home business off the ground for the future. Few things are as professionally stimulating in life as running a successful business, but the risks are great and it can take time for the average home business to bring in enough money to support a family or even an individual full time. For this reason, juggling both a day job and a home business is sometimes necessary for a while, if not indefinitely. Here are some traits and tips to properly balance a home business and a career. The most important thing you’ll need to balance a career and a home business is drive and determination. Juggling both can be stressful and there will be times when you find yourself envious of your friends who have the time to go out, do fun activities with their kids, and basically enjoy a life after work. During these same hours, you’ll be working harder than ever at getting your business off the ground. It will be tempting to quit. Those that can avoid this temptation, and continue to work double time, will be the ones that are successful in the long run. Keep the end goal in mind at all times, and it will be you with all the free time later on down the line while all your friends are stuck in an office all day. Riding along this same theme, you have to learn how to make the most of the time you have. When it feels like all you want to do is relax and watch some television, you must make yourself stay on the course. People complain every day about not having enough time, but they don’t stop to examine how much of each day is wasted. Weekends, holidays, after work hours. These are the times when you have to sacrifice your rest and relaxation for the good of your home business. Researching, advertising, and creating will be your hobbies. The last thing you’ll need to successfully juggle your dual careers is patience. Days can stretch into weeks, into months, and even years before your home business is successful enough to support you full time. But if you give up, it will never happen. Have patience, persevere, and eventually it will happen. Use your drive, determination, patience, and time to make the most out of your dual careers. Have a goal in mind, whether it be making a certain amount of money, furthering an important cause, or being able to make your home business your full time career. By doing this, you will enjoy success.
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Vincent Murphy |
2008-05-05 |
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Title: Organizing Your Home Business
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What is the best way to organize a home-based business? There is the option of having a completely separate room in your home that keeps your business away from the rest of the family life, but that is not as popular as it once was. Many families integrate their home business with their family life and do quite well with this type of arrangement. One of the first considerations you should think about is how do you operate? You want your business area set up in a style that is comfortable for you. If you are more productive looking out of the window while you are working,then you may get better results rather than setting up your business space in a way that makes you look at a wall all day,and it will not encourage you to work. In fact, you will more than likely find reasons why you cannot work. Do you like plants and artwork? Set this up in your space. It is important to make your business space reflect your personal style this will make you want to sit at your desk and work because you are comfortable there as opposed to dreading going to your work area. Make your workstation the base for the work that needs to be accomplished but do not limit yourself by not being able to go and sit in your favorite chair or other places in the house to accomplish your work. Do not spread important documents all over your house. Dedicate an area to where those items will be kept. You do not want to feel like your business is taking over your life and that everywhere you look you see bits and pieces of it scattered throughout your home. If you are a family that has small children at home it will be important to child-proof your office space and make it look unattractive for children so that they will not want to go and color pretty pictures on your financial papers. Consider purchasing a laptop and cell phone, if you have not already done so, so that you are not always tied to your desk. Sometimes it is nice to go to a park and sit in the fresh air while you are getting some work done. Decide exactly how many hours you are going to work during a day or how many hours that need to be dedicated to a particular project. It is very easy when you are working from home to simply to work all day and into the night because your office is so accessible. You need to be able to set boundaries as to when you will and will not work. Take breaks, step away from your work, and go to lunch even if it is in another part of your house or in your own garden. Copyright © Vincent Murphy
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2007-10-01 |
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Title: Balancing A Home Business And An Office Career
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While many people struggle with just the concept of balancing a career and family life, still others are trying to find a way to have a successful career to pay the bills and get a home business off the ground for the future. Few things are as professionally stimulating in life as running a successful business, but the risks are great and it can take time for the average home business to bring in enough money to support a family or even an individual full time. For this reason, juggling both a day job and a home business is sometimes necessary for a while, if not indefinitely. Here are some traits and tips to properly balance a home business and a career.
The most important thing you’ll need to balance a career and a home business is drive and determination. Juggling both can be stressful and there will be times when you find yourself envious of your friends who have the time to go out, do fun activities with their kids, and basically enjoy a life after work. During these same hours, you’ll be working harder than ever at getting your business off the ground. It will be tempting to quit. Those that can avoid this temptation, and continue to work double time, will be the ones that are successful in the long run. Keep the end goal in mind at all times, and it will be you with all the free time later on down the line while all your friends are stuck in an office all day.
Riding along this same theme, you have to learn how to make the most of the time you have. When it feels like all you want to do is relax and watch some television, you must make yourself stay on the course. People complain every day about not having enough time, but they don’t stop to examine how much of each day is wasted. Weekends, holidays, after work hours. These are the times when you have to sacrifice your rest and relaxation for the good of your home business. Researching, advertising, and creating will be your hobbies.
The last thing you’ll need to successfully juggle your dual careers is patience. Days can stretch into weeks, into months, and even years before your home business is successful enough to support you full time. But if you give up, it will never happen. Have patience, persevere, and eventually it will happen.
Use your drive, determination, patience, and time to make the most out of your dual careers. Have a goal in mind, whether it be making a certain amount of money, furthering an important cause, or being able to make your home business your full time career. By doing this, you will enjoy success.
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Vincent Murphy |
2006-05-07 |
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Title: Organizing Your Home Business
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What is the best way to organize a home-based business? There is the option of having a completely separate room in your home that keeps your business away from the rest of the family life, but that is not as popular as it once was. Many families integrate their home business with their family life and do quite well with this type of arrangement.
One of the first considerations you should think about is how do you operate? You want your business area set up in a style that is comfortable for you. If you are more productive looking out of the window while you are working,then you may get better results rather than setting up your business space in a way that makes you look at a wall all day,and it will not encourage you to work. In fact, you will more than likely find reasons why you cannot work. Do you like plants and artwork? Set this up in your space. It is important to make your business space reflect your personal style this will make you want to sit at your desk and work because you are comfortable there as opposed to dreading going to your work area.
Make your workstation the base for the work that needs to be accomplished but do not limit yourself by not being able to go and sit in your favorite chair or other places in the house to accomplish your work. Do not spread important documents all over your house. Dedicate an area to where those items will be kept. You do not want to feel like your business is taking over your life and that everywhere you look you see bits and pieces of it scattered throughout your home.
If you are a family that has small children at home it will be important to child-proof your office space and make it look unattractive for children so that they will not want to go and color pretty pictures on your financial papers.
Consider purchasing a laptop and cell phone, if you have not already done so, so that you are not always tied to your desk. Sometimes it is nice to go to a park and sit in the fresh air while you are getting some work done.
Decide exactly how many hours you are going to work during a day or how many hours that need to be dedicated to a particular project. It is very easy when you are working from home to simply to work all day and into the night because your office is so accessible. You need to be able to set boundaries as to when you will and will not work. Take breaks, step away from your work, and go to lunch even if it is in another part of your house or in your own garden.
Copyright © Vincent Murphy
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Gaetane Ross |
2006-04-22 |
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Title: Organize Your Home Business
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What is the best way to organize a home-based business? There is the option of having a completely separate room in your home that keeps business away from the rest of the family life but that is not as popular as it once was. Many families integrate their home business with their family life and do quite well with this type of arrangement.
One of the first considerations you should think about is how do you operate? You want your business area set up in a style that is comfortable for you. If you like looking out the window while you are working and you are very productive this way setting up your business space in a way that makes you look at a wall will not encourage you to work. In fact, you will more than likely find reasons why you cannot work. Do you like plants and artwork? Set this up in your space. It is important to make your business space reflect your personal style this will make you want to sit at your desk and work because you are comfortable there as opposed to dreading going to your work area.
Make your workstation the base of the work that needs to be accomplished but do not limit yourself not to be able to go and sit in your favorite chair or other places in the house to accomplish your work. Do not spread important documents all over your house. Dedicate an area to where those items will be kept. You do not want to feel like your business is taking over your life and that everywhere you look you see bits and pieces of it scattered throughout your home.
If you are a family that has small children at home it will be important to child-proof your office space and make it look unattractive for children so that they will not want to go and color pretty pictures on your financial papers.
Consider purchasing a laptop and cell phone, if you have not already, so that you are not always tied to your desk. Sometimes it is nice to go to a park and sit in the fresh air while you are getting work done.
Decide exactly how many hours you are going to work during a day or how many hours need to be dedicated to a particular project. It is very easy when you are working from home simply to work all day and into the night because your office is so accessible. You need to be able to set boundaries as to when you will and will not work. Take breaks, step away from your work, and go to lunch even if it is in another part of your house or in your backyard.
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Chuck Tourtillott |
2006-03-10 |
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Title: Your Own Home-Based Business: It''s All in the Family
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Balancing work life with family sure can be challenging in this day and age. Most of us are working harder and longer just trying to keep up with the bills and the overall cost of living. The cost of everything keeps going up: food, utilities, gasoline, insurance, and day care, just to name a few. It's hard to keep up and still spend quality time with your children. As a result, more and more people are choosing to start their own home based businesses.
While it's true that working from home can keep you closer to your family, it also requires a well-organized and consistent approach in order to meet the needs of both your business and family life. To be successful, you must find ways to put in the hours necessary to start and grow your business without being detoured by family matters. You will need to manage your tasks and optimize your time. If you or your spouse hold a regular job, then conscientious time management will be even more crucial. By establishing boundaries and through careful planning, you can manage your time and priorities so that your family can be an asset to your business rather than a distraction.
First, think about how you could divide business specific tasks between you and your spouse. Plan your work, then work your plan. For example, while one spouse is at the workplace holding down a conventional job, the other can stay at home and spend time working the business by writing and posting ads, doing research, ordering product, and so forth. In the evenings when the spouse returns home from the office, that person can take over duties such as answering emails and making phone calls for training and prospecting purposes, while the other attends to the children and household tasks.
Also, consider recruiting your children into your home business. They may be able to help with certain tasks. Perhaps your oldest child can babysit the younger siblings during certain times of the day or evening. Children may also be able to help by preparing items for mailing, cleaning your office, and organizing and filing paperwork (don't be shocked, however, when you get asked to raise their allowance!).
Talk with your family and come to some agreements about the importance of your home business. Make them aware of the demands it places on each member as well as yourself. Gain their understanding and cooperation. Restrict personal use of the telephone to specific times so that your line will not be tied up during your business hours (or better yet, consider having a second phone line installed to be used just for business). Lay down the law that family must stay out of your office area during working hours. To make it easier for them to adhere to your rules, try to coordinate your work schedule with family activities, and schedule some non-business time during crucial times of the day, such as when the kids get home from school and at mealtimes. Be sure to discuss your business schedule with extended family members and friends. Inform them of your working hours and ask them not to drop by or call you during those times when you are working on your business.
Work hard and fast to build your home business, and keep going! Make the whole family aware of what you are doing and what you need from them. You'll probably find that they are all willing to help however they can. The rewards will be worthwhile, and you and your family can reap the benefits for years to come.
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