by Stephanie Calahan of Calahan Solutions and a Paper Tiger Expert
Home based businesses are more than a passing fade. In fact, they continue to grow in numbers. According to the Small Business Administration:
-Small businesses make up more than 99.7 percent of all employees.
-The latest figures show that small businesses create 75% of the net new jobs in our economy.
-Home-based businesses account for 53% of all small businesses.
-24 million Americans are self-employed from home on a full-time basis
-1 in 5 businesses located in an office or industrial area started in the home, including Ford and Apple.
This is an exciting time for the entrepreneur! There are many advantages to owning your own home-based business. You can fold laundry while you are on a conference call or do a little gardening when you are stuck on a problem. Many people dream of owning their own business some day, but are afraid to try it. Indeed, being in business for you involves risk.
Getting organized is a challenge for most business owners. It is often more difficult for individuals that operate their business out of their home. Many distractions can keep you from focusing on your business – a sunny day, your children, etc. Many home based business owners frequently do not have someone to hold them accountable other than themselves. The following items are provided as tips for your success.
Ensure Your Space Reflects the Work that You Do
Regardless of if you have a corner of a room or if you have an entire basement, make sure that the space you have designated is for your business only. Spaces that are identified for the business should not hold toys, unless you run a daycare, or other personal distractions. Consider proper storage needs as well as ergonomic needs. The more steps it takes to do something the less likely you are to do it, so create a structure aligned with how you do your work.
Create a Finely Tuned To-Do List
Define 3 or 4 tasks that you must accomplish each day. Schedule a power hour to work through the most important or most difficult tasks when your energy is at its highest peak. Make sure to keep the hour regardless of what occurs in your day. Avoid the seductions of a ringing phone, your email or someone dropping by to visit. With your most important tasks under your belt, you will be able to enjoy your home-office life guilt free!
Automate Where Possible
Automation is a great way to save time in your business. There are a number of tools that can help you with your marketing, time management and more. Check out our related posts for more ideas.
Identify a Safe Meeting Location
When you are meeting with another individual for the first time make sure that you meet in a public space that is convenient for both parties.
Guard Your Time
While working from home allows you to have a flexible schedule, be careful to not take advantage of it. Child care is essential to getting things done. Set office hours for your friends and family to adhere to so that they do not take up your productive time.
Take Breaks
Some home-based business owners will go the opposite direction where time and self-care are concerned. It is OK to take a walk or participate in another activity to relieve stress. Be careful to not drive yourself harder just because you work out of the home. Balance is the key.
Ask for Help When You Need It
Many home-based business owners take on all of the tasks of the business. Recognize your strengths and focus your energy on those strengths. There are many organizations that provide virtual assistance. Find one in your area and hire them. The time you save will allow you to focus on your core business and grow it that much faster. Not sure where to start? Check out the list of “VAs” that I have on Twitter http://twitter.com/StephCalahan/va/members. You can check out a list of over 300 professionals from around the world that are in business to make your business happen.
Twitter.com/StephCalahan
Facebook.com/StephCalahan
PS: Don’t forget to keep your paper files in order with Paper Tiger Document Management Software and Filing System, which Stephanie highly recommends and also includes in her in person or remote/virtual Office Miracle.
About the Author:
Stephanie Calahan is The Business Vision Catalyst and founder of Calahan Solutions, Inc. She works with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, visionaries, coaches, consultants, health practitioners, authors, speakers and all sorts of remarkable service professionals who are experts in their field, to help them embrace their brilliance, leverage their business and get their message out with power, ease and joy; so that they can make a powerfully positive difference in the world, exponentially grow their income and enjoy a highly-successful and meaningful business… while working less. Learn how you can have more freedom in your life! http://www.StephanieCalahan.com
Tags: document management software, get organized, Productivity, The Paper Tiger 'Finding' Filing System
