| First of all, I'd like to personally congratulate you | | | | should be devoting no more than 15 hours per |
| on your decision to seek, research and start your | | | | week to earn a full-time income. If you are |
| own home-based business. You've just made the | | | | working more than 15 hours per week, either you |
| decision that can, and will change your current life, | | | | are operating multiple businesses, or you are doing |
| as you know it. | | | | something wrong! |
| Today, we're going to talk about a day in the life | | | | Let's move on to the type of equipment you |
| of a home-based business owner. What can you | | | | need to operate your home-based business. I'm |
| expect your day to be like? How many hours | | | | not talking about things you use to manufacturer |
| should you be working each day? What | | | | items for re-sale. I'm talking about the business |
| equipment do you need to use everyday? Most | | | | side of your operation. You will need a computer; |
| importantly, how long should it take until you are | | | | preferably a laptop for convenience and mobility, |
| profitable? | | | | internet access, telephone with unlimited long |
| The day in the life of a home-based business | | | | distance, fax program, printer/scanner/copier, a |
| owner can be as flexible and diverse as you are. | | | | quiet work environment, and a comfortable office |
| If you've been in the 9 - 5 rat race, you will | | | | chair/desk. If you're just starting out and don't |
| undoubtedly love your new found freedom. It's | | | | have these items - consider purchasing used |
| important to remember not to get too selfish for | | | | equipment. It will save you money, and most |
| personal time, and allow that to cut in to precious | | | | used items will last long enough for you to earn |
| work time. The most critical part of working from | | | | enough with your business to replace them in a |
| home is when you are "on the clock," be | | | | relatively short period of time. I purchased my |
| productive. Each day, before I start working, I | | | | first office chair at a garage sale for $5.00. I had |
| make a list of 10 things I want to accomplish - in | | | | seen the same "executive" chair for nearly |
| order of importance. I may only have two hours | | | | $300.00 at Office Depot. Here I am seven years |
| to work this day - so I can only finish 4 of the | | | | later, and the chair still serves me well. If you |
| items on my "to do list." At the end of my time, I | | | | take the time to look for deals - you'll find them. |
| move the items I could not complete up on the | | | | When you have selected the business you wish |
| list. Then, prior to starting work the next time, I | | | | to start, you should allow yourself approximately |
| add more things I wish to complete, so that I, | | | | one week to get fully set up. From that moment |
| again, have 10 things on my "to do list." | | | | on, you should be focusing 90% of your efforts |
| Your scenario may be that you have a good, | | | | on income producing activity - and the remaining |
| solid, 8 hours to work your business, in one | | | | 10% on record keeping and/or misc. activities. In |
| stretch. In this case, have 10 items on your to do | | | | general, you should see income production |
| list, and once completed, make a new list of 10. | | | | immediately and be profitable within 60 days - in a |
| Continue this process until you are ready to stop | | | | home-based business. Many owners are profitable |
| working for that session. I have always found if I | | | | much sooner, but allow yourself no more than 60 |
| have a huge list of things to get done, I become | | | | days. |
| overwhelmed - and I am not at my peak | | | | If you have been in business 60 or more days, |
| productivity. Attack your home-based business | | | | and have not reached the break-even point, it's |
| activities in small chunks - checking off the tasks | | | | time to analyze the way you are running your |
| you complete as you go. | | | | operation, and make adjustments immediately. |
| Many entrepreneurs who have never worked at | | | | Your goal is and should always be to earn money. |
| home before have the misconception that they | | | | Remember, owning a home-based business can |
| will be working 60+ hours per week. If you | | | | be challenging, but the benefits far outweigh the |
| subscribe to this belief - I have some good news | | | | risks. |
| for you! Once you have everything set up, you | | | | |