Monday, March 26, 2007

What To Expect From Your Home-Based Business

First of all, I'd like to personally congratulate you on your decision to seek, research and start your own home-based business. You've just made the decision that can, and will change your current life, as you know it.

Today, we're going to talk about a day in the life of a home-based business owner. What can you expect your day to be like? How many hours should you be working each day? What equipment do you need to use everyday? Most importantly, how long should it take until you are profitable?

The day in the life of a home-based business owner can be as flexible and diverse as you are. If you've been in the 9 - 5 rat race, you will undoubtedly love your new found freedom. It's important to remember not to get too selfish for personal time, and allow that to cut in to precious work time. The most critical part of working from home is when you are "on the clock," be productive. Each day, before I start working, I make a list of 10 things I want to accomplish - in order of importance. I may only have two hours to work this day - so I can only finish 4 of the items on my "to do list." At the end of my time, I move the items I could not complete up on the list. Then, prior to starting work the next time, I add more things I wish to complete, so that I, again, have 10 things on my "to do list."

Your scenario may be that you have a good, solid, 8 hours to work your business, in one stretch. In this case, have 10 items on your to do list, and once completed, make a new list of 10. Continue this process until you are ready to stop working for that session. I have always found if I have a huge list of things to get done, I become overwhelmed - and I am not at my peak productivity. Attack your home-based business activities in small chunks - checking off the tasks you complete as you go.

Many entrepreneurs who have never worked at home before have the misconception that they will be working 60+ hours per week. If you subscribe to this belief - I have some good news for you! Once you have everything set up, you should be devoting no more than 15 hours per week to earn a full-time income. If you are working more than 15 hours per week, either you are operating multiple businesses, or you are doing something wrong! Email me at chris@chrisarcherinc.com, tell me about your home-based business and how many hours you are currently putting in. I'll email you a host of ways you can automate and save valuable time.

Let's move on to the type of equipment you need to operate your home-based business. I'm not talking about things you use to manufacturer items for re-sale. I'm talking about the business side of your operation. You will need a computer; preferably a laptop for convenience and mobility, internet access, telephone with unlimited long distance, fax program, printer/scanner/copier, a quiet work environment, and a comfortable office chair/desk. If you're just starting out and don't have these items - consider purchasing used equipment. It will save you money, and most used items will last long enough for you to earn enough with your business to replace them in a relatively short period of time. I purchased my first office chair at a garage sale for $5.00. I had seen the same "executive" chair for nearly $300.00 at Office Depot. Here I am seven years later, and the chair still serves me well. If you take the time to look for deals - you'll find them.

When you have selected the business you wish to start, you should allow yourself approximately one week to get fully set up. From that moment on, you should be focusing 90% of your efforts on income producing activity - and the remaining 10% on record keeping and/or misc. activities. In general, you should see income production immediately and be profitable within 60 days - in a home-based business. Many owners are profitable much sooner, but allow yourself no more than 60 days.

If you have been in business 60 or more days, and have not reached the break-even point, it's time to analyze the way you are running your operation, and make adjustments immediately.

Your goal is and should always be to earn money. Remember, owning a home-based business can be challenging, but the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Author, Chris Archer has been operating home-based businesses for nearly 15 years, and now donates her time to mentor others. She can be contacted at chris@chrisarcherinc.com. Her website is http://www.chrisarcherinc.com, where entrepreneurs and home-based business owners can subscribe to her newsletter, for weekly advice and innovative ideas that can be incorporated into any business.
First of all, I'd like to personally congratulate you on your decision to seek, research and start your own home-based business. You've just made the decision that can, and will change your current life, as you know it.

Today, we're going to talk about a day in the life of a home-based business owner. What can you expect your day to be like? How many hours should you be working each day? What equipment do you need to use everyday? Most importantly, how long should it take until you are profitable?

The day in the life of a home-based business owner can be as flexible and diverse as you are. If you've been in the 9 - 5 rat race, you will undoubtedly love your new found freedom. It's important to remember not to get too selfish for personal time, and allow that to cut in to precious work time. The most critical part of working from home is when you are "on the clock," be productive. Each day, before I start working, I make a list of 10 things I want to accomplish - in order of importance. I may only have two hours to work this day - so I can only finish 4 of the items on my "to do list." At the end of my time, I move the items I could not complete up on the list. Then, prior to starting work the next time, I add more things I wish to complete, so that I, again, have 10 things on my "to do list."

Your scenario may be that you have a good, solid, 8 hours to work your business, in one stretch. In this case, have 10 items on your to do list, and once completed, make a new list of 10. Continue this process until you are ready to stop working for that session. I have always found if I have a huge list of things to get done, I become overwhelmed - and I am not at my peak productivity. Attack your home-based business activities in small chunks - checking off the tasks you complete as you go.

Many entrepreneurs who have never worked at home before have the misconception that they will be working 60+ hours per week. If you subscribe to this belief - I have some good news for you! Once you have everything set up, you should be devoting no more than 15 hours per week to earn a full-time income. If you are working more than 15 hours per week, either you are operating multiple businesses, or you are doing something wrong! Email me at chris@chrisarcherinc.com, tell me about your home-based business and how many hours you are currently putting in. I'll email you a host of ways you can automate and save valuable time.

Let's move on to the type of equipment you need to operate your home-based business. I'm not talking about things you use to manufacturer items for re-sale. I'm talking about the business side of your operation. You will need a computer; preferably a laptop for convenience and mobility, internet access, telephone with unlimited long distance, fax program, printer/scanner/copier, a quiet work environment, and a comfortable office chair/desk. If you're just starting out and don't have these items - consider purchasing used equipment. It will save you money, and most used items will last long enough for you to earn enough with your business to replace them in a relatively short period of time. I purchased my first office chair at a garage sale for $5.00. I had seen the same "executive" chair for nearly $300.00 at Office Depot. Here I am seven years later, and the chair still serves me well. If you take the time to look for deals - you'll find them.

When you have selected the business you wish to start, you should allow yourself approximately one week to get fully set up. From that moment on, you should be focusing 90% of your efforts on income producing activity - and the remaining 10% on record keeping and/or misc. activities. In general, you should see income production immediately and be profitable within 60 days - in a home-based business. Many owners are profitable much sooner, but allow yourself no more than 60 days.

If you have been in business 60 or more days, and have not reached the break-even point, it's time to analyze the way you are running your operation, and make adjustments immediately.

Your goal is and should always be to earn money. Remember, owning a home-based business can be challenging, but the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Author, Chris Archer has been operating home-based businesses for nearly 15 years, and now donates her time to mentor others. She can be contacted at chris@chrisarcherinc.com. Her website is http://www.chrisarcherinc.com, where entrepreneurs and home-based business owners can subscribe to her newsletter, for weekly advice and innovative ideas that can be incorporated into any business.

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