Being a Home-Based Business Owner - Whats Not to Love?
Being an entrepreneur and working from home has to be one of the most rewarding opportunities available to us.
What other business or organization would allow you to work in your slippers with curlers in your hair (or whiskers on your face!) while speaking with clients, negotiating contracts, or managing transactions?
How many jobs will afford you the opportunity to take a 15-minute break to get dinner on the stove or plant a flower garden?
None that I'm aware of.
Today was a workday for me. It was designated as record keeping, strategic planning, creative thinking, get-everything-in-order day.
Today I ...
- wrote several business articles - cleaned up my e-mail inbox - paid bills - updated my business expense spreadsheet - analyzed my monthly income statement - reviewed last month's activities and revisited strategies and goals for the month ahead - reviewed my client files to determine whether or not check-in e-mails were in order
I accomplished everything I set out to and more.
While working on the above tasks, I took several 15- minute breaks. During these breaks I ...
- did two loads of laundry - cleaned a bathroom - weeded one flower bed - raked a few dead leaves off the lawn - got supper started
When I need to get away from my desk for a while, I take little "breaks" that allow me to work on a small task around the house.
Sometimes, I just sit on my back deck with a glass of grape juice or water in my hand, and enjoy the warm sun as I watch the chipmunks; squirrels and foxes run around the yard.
It's a little piece of heaven.
I remember the days when I crawled out of bed in the morning, scraped an inch of ice off my windshield, and headed to work.
Parking is very expensive in our downtown core, so I would park in a lot a few blocks from my workplace to get a reduced rate. I would wear multiple layers of clothing, big mitts and a warm hat and scarf so I wouldn't freeze while walking (make that running!) to my office building.
It would be dark when I went to work and it would be dark when I left for home at the end of the day. I seldom saw the sun during the winter months.
By Friday evenings I would be dog-tired and not interested in any social interaction. I just wanted to sleep.
I spent my weekends doing laundry, cleaning house, and taking care of family commitments. Every Sunday evening I would feel sadness and anguish, knowing I was about to repeat the cycle again.
As I sat on my deck for a short while today enjoying the warm spring sun, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my business and I acknowledged myself for the long evening and weekend hours I dedicated myself to in order to build my business.
I worked hard. As a matter of fact, I still work hard, but it's different when it's something you love. Sometimes I put in really long days, and sometimes I slow the pace a little to maintain balance.
There were times when I didn't know if I could go on without burning out, but thankfully, I had a great peer group of coaches who were always there to back me up and cheer me on.
To me, the reward of having my own home-based business is the freedom to choose how I manage my time.
I have the freedom to be creative.
I have the freedom to plan my tasks as I see fit, and the only person I answer to when there is a setback, is myself.
I am the captain of my ship and although I run a tight one (I'm harder on myself than any boss ever was), I still consider it a never-ending victory cruise.
Building and growing a successful home-based business requires intense desire, steadfast dedication, a solid plan, sacrifice, quality products and services, specific skills, ongoing support, risk taking, and an unwavering belief in yourself and your dream.
Would I do it all over again given the choice? You bet!
As a matter of fact, if I had a magic wand I would roll the clock back 20 years and start much earlier.
Being a home-based business owner is a rewarding dream and is worth every minute of effort needed to make it real.
Laurie Hayes is a Life Strategy/Small Business Coach and founder of Where the Heart Is Life Coaching.
Laurie specializes in assisting home-based business owners who face the challenges that come with working from home. She is the author of numerous articles and a bi-weekly newsletter, "The Heart of Living."
To subscribe to her free newsletter and learn more about coaching, visit http://www.wheretheheartis-lifecoaching.com
Related Articles:
Tips For Buying A Used Car At A Used Car Auction
Are you interested in buying a used car from an auto auction or a used car auction? If you are, have you ever done so before? Unfortunately, when it comes to buying a used car from a used car auto auction, there are many first time bidders who end up making costly mistakes. To prevent yourself from being one of those used car auction bidders, you will want to continue reading on, as a few helpful used car auction tips are touched on below.
Six Steps Towards Successful Buying at eBay Auctions Six Steps Towards Successful Buying at eBay Auctions
Buying on eBay can be very rewarding, either in terms of being able to pick up items cheaply or for hunting for hard to find items. Although generally the experience is good, there are instances where things can go badly wrong. These tips, based on experience over the last seven years, should help to avoid some of the potential pitfalls.
Ebay Auctions- Helpful Article For Online Auctions
Finding specific information about Ebay Auctions might not be easy, but we have gathered very helpful and relevant information about the general subject matter, with the ultimate aim of helping you out. Even if your search is about another Ebay Auctions information, such as agriculture auction, b2b auction, Odessa auto auction or even Michigan online auction, this article will prove very helpful, without saying a lot.
Tips for Buying Cars in Auto Auctions
Auto auctions can be great place to buy and sell cars. By buying at an auto auction, you can get a car for cheaper than you can get at the local used car dealer?s yard.
Buying and Selling With Online Auctions
Trying to be help your buyers find your auctions can be a truly daunting task. Most people only search eBay by title, not by description, and that means that you only have those 55 characters of the title to cover all the possible search terms. That is not easy. In this email, I will give you a few pointers. Do not bother with eBay clinches. There are plenty of eBay auction titles that say things like Super rare camera wow look low price. These are stupid things to put in your title, as no one is going to search for them.
Ebay Auction Software: Automated Gold Mining For Auctions On Ebay And Elsewhere Using Software
You may already know how to grab great bargains on eBay and other auction websites because the titles are misspelled. In fact, you may spend a great deal of time hunting around for them, one by one. You may even know of a website or two that offers you a free list of these misspelt auction listings. Do you ever wonder if you're missing out on a bunch of them, just because it's too tedious to plow through them all by hand?
Live Online Auction With Car Auctions Software
There are many software packages to sustain online auction, fully functional car auction software necessary to start very professional online car auction web site. Some providers are offering client/server network based computer systems, software and hardware, to operate and control every aspect of car auctions. Every system is provided with custom installation and training to make the package a really useful car auctions software. Car auction software is designed for small or large car auctions, providing a complete auction management system.
The Pros And Cons Of Buying A Used Car From An Auto Auction
Are you in the market for a new used car? If you are, have you ever thought about attending an auto auction? Each year, a relatively large number of individuals walk away with a quality used car from an auto auction and now you may want to think about doing the same.
eBay Motors : Buy or Sell a Car on eBay
Are you having trouble finding a great deal on a car in your local area? Well, join the club. Using Online Bidding at eBay Motors can be the perfect answer you've been looking for.
Real Estate Auction Action - Buying A Home At Auction
Due in part to the popularity of the U. S.
Save Money By Buying A Used Car At A Car Auction
Save your money by opting for auction cars
Sometimes it is very difficult to find a second hand used car in a good condition Well, if you are searching for a cheap car, it is advisable to take a look at the car auctions organized by police and government bodies
Ebay Selling- Related Info for online auctions tips
As you search for Ebay Selling related information or other information about auction software review or local auction site, take your time to view the below article. It will provide you with a really refreshing insight into the Ebay Selling information that you need. After going through it, you will also be better informed about information in some way related to Ebay Selling, such as endowment auction or even used car auctions.
Powersnipe Announces Update for Online Bid Sniper Service and ebay Auction Sniper Software
Powersnipe.com, the leading eBay auction sniper service, has announced today major upgrades to their online and software services which help users to win eBay auctions and avoid bidding wars by automatically placing their bid in the last seconds of an auction.
Ebay Auctions- Some Tips To Get You Started With Ebay Auctions
Ebay auctions can be a great way to get started in ecommerce or expand your income. There are a few things that you need to know to help you get started.
Online Used Car Auctions Versus Live Used Car Auctions
Are you interested in buying a used car? If you are, have you ever thought about buying a used car from an auto auction? Buying a used car through an auto auction, which is also commonly referred to as a used car auction, is a great way to find a large selection of quality, reliable, yet affordable used cars for sale.
