How Much Fun Are You As a Home-Based Business Owner?

Isn't it amazing how when something is off kilter, a series of events or circumstances arise that shines a big bright light on the situation?

The matter requiring attention is revealed one way or another whether you want it to be or not.

If you're a coach, this may ring true more so for you. I don't know how many times I've conducted a session with a client only to realize that I am in as much need of directing my attention to the very same issue they're working on.

In recent weeks, I have allowed myself to become consumed by business activities while fitness, family and fun have taken a back seat.

Sometimes you need to burn a little extra fuel to get the rocket off the ground, but there comes a time when you have to let up on the power boosters and let the momentum you've created propel the ship.

If you continue to run the ship at full power, the fuel supply will quickly disappear and you may not make it to your intended destination.

Fortunately, a series of events have required that I pay attention to the imbalance I created. First, I was asked to write an article on how to build fun and balance into a home-based business while remaining productive.

Second, I paid an impromptu visit to the library and picked up Jay Conrad Levinson's, The Way of The Guerilla, an excellent exposé on the motivations of today's entrepreneur and the critical importance of balance, family, health and relationships.

I had no idea what this book was about until I started reading it, however, it was exactly what I needed at the time.

Third, I had a coaching session with a client in which we focused our attention on an extensive project that will involve a large group of people and require specific structures, processes, responsibilities and a compelling vision that will be embraced by every member of the team.

Focusing on the schematics of a project is often the easy part. It's giving our self top priority throughout the process that poses the biggest challenge.

As we wrapped up the session I stressed the importance of taking care of "self" to my client and at the same time, I realized the message applied to me as well.

As you go through your day and work your plan, keep in mind these words I shared with my client ...

"Your body and your mind are the vehicles that will allow you to carry out your dream. Give them top priority because without them, everything else is dust."

I actually posted these words on my computer screen as a daily reminder to myself. If this is what you need to do to serve as a daily reminder of the importance of taking care of yourself first, I encourage you to do the same.

2006 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source

How Do You Win At Home-Based Business? Hit The Floor Running

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion... or... it will be killed.

Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle... or... it will starve to death.

It doesn't matter whether you are a gazelle or a lion, when the sun comes up... you better be running.

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With no boss breathing down your neck or clock to punch, It can be so tempting to stay in bed one hour longer, to postpone picking up the phone and contacting that prospect, or to focus your time and energy on the easy and fun stuff and put the unpleasant stuff off until later.

One of the core competencies you need to succeed at home-based business is DISCIPLINE. You are now responsible for your success 24/7 and if you aren't doing what is required to succeed, there won't be someone to come along behind you and clean up your mess. It's do or die, eat or be eaten.

To truly succeed as a serious home-based business owner, you need to be strong-willed and self-disciplined. You also need a solid, thorough, written plan to keep you on track and in constant motion.

To ensure continuous momentum, you can plan your daily activities a month in advance, or even weekly. Some people prefer to dedicate each day of the week to a different task, for example:

Monday - marketing
Tuesday - business building
Wednesday - customer relations

... and so on.

Others prefer to perform a variety of tasks on any given day, for example:

Monday - marketing (morning), business building (afternoon)
Tuesday - customers relations (morning), industry research (afternoon)

The most important factor here is have a Plan and stick to it.

Although most people start a home-based business to create freedom, many of them fail to recognize the critical importance of a structured plan.

No plan = no business and no business = no freedom.

So remember, hit the floor running each morning, keep ahead of those who are following behind and overtake those in front of you. Whether you're the lion or the gazelle, you've got to run!

2006 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source