Running a home-based business is the dream of many people, and plenty of those people make a big success of it. If you're on the verge of making such a life-changing decision, you're probably wondering whether there are any things you should know. The benefits of working from home are undeniable:
- You don't have to worry about a boss breathing down your neck.
- No early morning commute which leaves you sitting in traffic for more than an hour.
- Most people who work from home also say that it can be very rewarding.
However, there are some basic rules you need to follow if you want to be successful.
While it can be very liberating not to have a boss constantly watching what you're doing, there is also a downside. Without a boss, there's no one watching the clock to ensure you're meeting deadlines. Working from home means it's very easy to get distracted by the washing up you left in the sink, the morning round of chat shows on TV, a cake you've been wanting to bake or any number of other things. To overcome these distractions, you need to structure your day and follow a schedule. Start and finish at a particular time of the day and set aside times for specific activities.
You're not going to be staying at home all day, so it's important you stay connected. Invest in an electronic organizer or use a tablet so that you can keep in touch with clients and organize things when you're on the go. Keep all your essential information in a cloud-based storage system so you can access it anywhere.
If you're running your business from home, you're going to need to take your family into consideration. If you're not careful, it will seem like you're always working and never have time for them. Just because you're working at home, doesn't mean you're going to have more time for your children. You need to make them aware of this and make childcare arrangements if necessary.
Running a business requires you to be a Jack-of-all-trades. However, there are some roles you're not going to be qualified for. You're going to be able to be the CEO of your company, the secretary, office manager, and provide technical support. There are other issues you're going to face that will require help from a third party. If you have problems with your network cabling, for example, you'll need to hire an industrial electrical services company.
A home-based business can take up a lot of your time, so don't forget to give yourself some time off. Working a 60 to 70 hour week without a break will soon have you completely worn out. It's important to learn when and how to relax and take a break every now and again to avoid burnout.
Working from the comfort of your home can be a great way to start a new business enterprise. It means your overheads are low which is a bonus in the beginning. As your business expands, you may need to look for alternative premises so be prepared for expansion!
