IT’S YOUR HOME BUSINESS – WILL IT
SINK OR SWIM?
Businesses fail for many different reasons. Here’s what you
should be thinking about so that your business is not one that sinks,
but one that swims and stays afloat! If you’re looking at a new
business,
make up a business plan, include your goals and financial
projections.
YOU need to know more than anyone where you are headed. Your business
plan doesn’t have to be drawn up by a professional business planner,
you can
do it yourself. Write down the hard costs of getting the business
started and maintained, including costs of licenses, equipment,
inventory etc.
Don’t
forget to include how much income you will need to be bringing in, or
have saved up until you start to show a profit. Always have a Plan-B
in place.
Lack of planning will have your business sinking in no time at all.
Business
owners are generally “go-getters”, which means they are usually
hard workers. Staying disciplined, even for the hard worker can be
difficult at times, especially when there is no boss or supervisor
around to
crack that whip and make you do your work. Getting lazy and not being
productive with your business is a surefire way to sink it.
Here’s
some tips to keep you on track and keep your business afloat.
Daily “to
do” lists are constant reminders that keep you on track. They
keep you motivated, and it feels good to cross things off as you get
things
done. You need to have a sense of accomplishment, and this helps
serve that
purpose. Push your business to new heights every day by doing
just a little
bit more than you need to. This will ensure that it will SWIM.
Break up
your day into segments; plan your day properly. Give yourself a
proper work time schedule and try to stick with it. Even if you don’t
work
9-5 anymore, pretend you do. Having your own home business often
means
working more than eight hours a day to turn a profit. Be prepared for
that.
That way you will SWIM and not SINK.
Give
yourself a proper lunch break. This will give you a routine and give
you
something to look forward to. Reward yourself for keeping up with
your work.
It will keep you positive and motivated.
Post
inspiring quotes and verses in your home business area.
Don’t
allow friends and family to drop by and take up your time. In the
beginning, I had friends that thought because I worked from home doing
medical transcription that I could sit around and chat with them all
day long…
It’s amazing that they think this, but they do. Be firm with them.
My friends now know that they had better call before they “pop in for
a coffee”, and I do tell them “no” if it’s not convenient. Lazing
around watching TV or chatting with friends is
100% guaranteed to help SINK your business.
Another
time taker is the telephone. I screen my calls and let the machine
pick up almost all day, unless it is about business. Caller ID was a
super investment! It will help your business to have Caller ID. I
promise.
Mentally
remind yourself from time to time that one of the reasons your home
business can fail is procrastination. The fear of this should help
keep your business on the right track. I think you know what bad
employees can do to a business; be careful who represents you/works
for you.
If you
don’t have time to do your work and work your business, it’s bound to
SINK! Don’t let other aspects of life get in the way. Sure the car
needs washing, the laundry needs doing, the house needs cleaning, you
need to get other things done, but not during business hours. The key
here is to PRIORITIZE properly and take your business
seriously.
Try and
get some daily exercise. It refreshes you and clears the mind. It
will help you stay positive. Plus, it’s good for you.
Network with other “successful people” who own a similar type of
business. If you are having trouble finding these people, try your
local Chamber of Commerce, or just contact other business owners. Try
to learn from people who have been successful; make sure they’ve
walked the walk before you take their advice. Taking this advice will
hopefully give you some ideas about keeping your business afloat,
swimming, and very successful.
To Your
Success!
(C)2012, Michele Miller
Simplistic Solutions
Medical Transcription at Home
