Whether you are thinking of just starting a home business or you are already running one, these top 10 home business tips can help.
Tip number 1 is to put the word “no” into your vocabulary. This word can easily be eliminated when you are starting up a home business because you want to take advantage of every opportunity you can.
When I first started my writing career, I jumped at everything that came my way. But even after I established myself as a writer, I still kept taking on additional things. Giving of some of those things was one of the hardest things I had to do and saying no wasn’t always easy.
But it has freed me up to do a better job at my “regular” writing work and prevents me from overworking. It is also a lot less stressful.
Tip number 2 is to remember that just because you work from home, doesn’t mean you don’t need to be professional. To some degree or another you will be working with someone else, whether that someone else is a client or a “boss.” For instance although I am a freelance writer, I still have an editor to answer to.
Professionalism must come across in every way…through phone calls, email and personal visits. If you meet with clients, be sure to look and dress professional as well.
Tip number 3 is to never stop learning. It doesn’t matter how high you have risen on the ladder of whatever career you are climbing, there is always room to learn more. I take advantage of opportunities to better my writing skills whenever I can.
Learning can come through conferences, books, courses and even others who are in the same field. You gain greater skills when you develop and build on what you already know.
Tip number 4 is to eliminate stress as much as possible. To the outside world it appears that working from home means no stress. It may not be the same kind of stress as those working outside the home, but any career will have its own fair share of stress.
Eliminating stress may mean taking on less work, reducing your expectations, taking a break, or coming up with a new schedule. Only you know the source of your stress and what steps you can take to eliminate it.
Tip number 5 is to take time to get away from your home business. Do this on a daily basis. Don’t let your business consume your every waking hour, as can easily happen. Set aside time with family and friends but also set aside time for you.
Tip number 6 is to separate your home business life from your personal life. It can be too easy to intertwine them both. But you need to keep them apart if you want a healthy and fruitful life. That means when you are done working, you are done working. You unplug from your business and you plug into those around you.
Tip number 7 is to be a person of integrity. That means you don’t lie, cheat or steal in your home business. The company I write for knows that I am a person who can be trusted. I have demonstrated that on a couple of occasions when I was overpaid. It would have been easy to say nothing but having strong work ethics, I let them know.
Making money is obviously part of having a home business but don’t let it become so consuming that you are willing to compromise your moral integrity. Be honest, forthright and dependable (that means meeting deadlines and fulfilling promises you have made).
Tip number 8 is to manage your home business well. Learn organizing techniques that will make things flow better. Keep up-to-date on issues surrounding your particular home business. Understand how you are to handle taxes.
Tip number 9 is to expect disappointments. Running a home business comes with risks. To go into it thinking you will never be disappointed is not realistic. As a writer, my disappointments usually come in the way of rejections. It is a part of life and must be accepted.
Finally, tip number 10 is to set short and long term goals for your home business. But be realistic about them. Discuss these goals with your family and see if they are in agreement.
Related Articles:
Keep Learning about Your Field
Be Professional in Your Home-Based Business
Can You Take Constructive Criticism?
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