Be A Disciplined Work At Home Business Owner

Posted on 09. May, 2010 by admin in Personal Development

Leaving the corporate world for a home business is exciting. Being a business owner and making one’s own decision is a great feeling. However, one still needs to have discipline to be effective at being a work at home boss.

In my work at home business, I have found at least two things that one must be persistently disciplined in order to achieve success.

First is the work schedule. A work from home business is like any business. It requires work and often a lot of work. While it is true that you do not have to get up at daybreak and put on a suit and tie to drive to work, one does need to set a work schedule and stick to it. I have set my schedule to work 10:00 to 6:00 Monday through Friday. I take an hour lunch. I require that I work a minimum of 20 hours for my home business and more when necessary.

When I first started my home business, it was very easy to get distracted by things that need to be done around the house; laundry, dirty dishes, mowing the yard, etc. It is very important to treat your home business like a business. Be a disciplined home business owner but don’t be a slave to your business. The great thing about having a home business is the freedom you will have to do what you want, but not at the expense of your work at home business.

The second is in regards to interruptions. I have found it absolutely amazing that family and friends seem to think that just because you stay home during the day, that you have nothing else to do. When I first started working at home, I was surprised at the many requests my family had on my time. My best advice, which was given to me by another home business owner, is, “If they are not on fire or if they are not bleeding, the do not need your attention.” Now, don’t take the statement literally, but what it basically means is, unless it is a real emergency, do not let your family and friends interrupt your work schedule.

For those of you who already have a home business, you are aware of the many requests that family and friends will make. If you are not already assertive, learn to be and learn quickly. Fortunately, I have had the assertiveness to say, “No”.

If you spend time being the “go-for” for your family and friends, you business will fail. You are not at home to be at the beck and call for your family and friends regardless of what they think. Let them know that. I stubbornly refuse to assist family and friends with tasks during the hours of 10:00 and 6:00, Monday through Friday.

Being a disciplined work from home business owner a giant leap towards creating and maintaining a successful home business. Remember that your business is a real business. Your business is your livelihood.

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