Working from Home: 10 rules for Success in your home business.

Rule 1 - It isn’t as bad as you think, it will look better in the morning.

If there is one experience universal to all home business owners, particularly those running a business on the internet working from home, it's the occasional feeling that your just spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere. The number of people who give up on their businesses just as they approach the brink of success is staggering. So hang on in there and remind yourself, when things look bleak, tomorrow is another day, things really aren't as bad as they seem and things really will look better in the morning.

Rule 2 - Get mad, then get over it.

OK, I concede this is more general advice than home business advice but it applies in your home business just as it does anywhere else. Resentment and unexpressed anger really don't hurt anyone but the person feeling resentful and angry. Have you ever noticed how completely unproductive you are when burdened by resentment and anger? So feel it, express it (constructively) and then move on. As the man said, "get over it".

Rule 3 - Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls your ego goes with it.

Over the course of my career I have, from time to time, met people whose identity and sense of self-worth is so enmeshed in what they do for a living that they literally don't have an identity outside of their work. Because they rely on an external source for their self-esteem and confidence, they find it necessary to continually and relentlessly bolster their personal positions, often at the expense of others, often resorting to political maneuvering in the workplace to maintain and improve their supposed 'status'.

These people are the 'empire builders' you sometimes find in organizations. They jealously guard their power base all the while gathering unto themselves more and more responsibility, beyond the point of being able to do everything they take on.

Because their identity and sense of self-worth depends upon their position within their organization, what happens when their position disappears, such as in a corporate downsizing? It free falls.

Don't let this happen to you. Remember that you are something separate and distinct from your business. Sure, you can be proud and pleased with your accomplishments but don't define yourself through them. Your self-worth is something that comes from inside your human self, not your business.
Ironically, keeping a professional detachment is more likely to secure the ultimate success of your business. Detachment brings perspective, objectivity and clarity, which helps you make better quality decisions.

Rule 4 - It can be done.

Don't allow self-imposed limitations to restrict what you can and will do. You can do anything if you set your mind to it. Well, of course, it must be something that is within your power - you can't just set your mind on growing a third arm, for example.

But for anything that is within human power and capability, the saying "where there's a will there's a way" is so true.

Get into the discipline of planning your life and where you want it to go. By setting goals and planning the steps that will help you reach them, you can achieve literally anything your heart desires.

Rule 5 - Be careful what you choose, you might just get it.

Following on from this, it should go without saying that what you set for your goals is something you truly want because if you do practice the discipline of goal setting you will surely get it.

Rule 6 - Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.

Keep your eye on the prize and don't be distracted by what's happening on the sidelines. Sure, you may not have entered the marathon had you known there were going to be 1,000 other runners but does that mean entering the marathon was a bad idea? No.

Make your decisions based on quality information and what's in the best interests of your business. If someone else comes along who represents competition for your business, don't be put off your game. Just run your own race. There's ALWAYS a way to distinguish yourself from your competition.

Rule 7 - You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours.

IGNORE your mother when she tells you your crazy for chucking in your nice safe secure little job to start your own business. Follow your dream, no-one else's.

Rule 8 - Check small things.

Like the fine print in contracts. Like the URL in that sales letter you've just put the finishing touches on. Like your spelling and punctuation. In other words, pay attention to detail in all walks of business life.

Rule 9 - Share credit.

You've heard the saying, "no man is an island". No woman is either. Remember and acknowledge the people who have helped and continue to help you get where you want to go. Acknowledge the achievements of others.

Rule 10 – Think outside of the box.

Always try and come up with brand new ideas. If you think you have found a new idea, check it on the internet to see if anyone else is doing the same thing. If they are, change things round a little and think outside of the box. Offer something extra that they are not!

Paul
THB.

Working from home is a nice opportunity for housewife, those who are waiting for job, senior citizens but not for me.

Well, rkasso, one has to start somewhere right?


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This comment would seem to imply working from home just earns you a little extra income. And it may start out that way, but with a little luck you can turn it into a business and make more income than you would, working for an employer. I've been able to do it.

I started by turning my hobby into my business.

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan

Steve. what's your hobby by the way....?


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In the mid 90's I logged onto the Internet, with a free trial account from one of the few local ISP's. The computer was a 386 with a huge 10MB hard drive and 4MB of RAM. I connected at a blistering 9600 baud.

Being trained as an electronic technician I was fascinated by the technology behind the Internet. I also had some training in sales. It seemed to me that a lot of people would eventually want to use this new medium to advertise globally, so I set out to learn everything I could about the Internet and building websites.

One of my first ventures was a classified ad site. Although it failed miserably, it showed me that business people were more interested in having their own site rather than advertising on someone else's. However, it was harder to understand how to get it all done back then. We didn't have access to a lot of software tools to make it as easy as it is today. So I used to help business people for FREE because it was my hobby.

Then in the late 90's I had some health issues which meant I was going to have to change jobs. So I emailed a lot of the people that I was working for and told them I was going to have to turn this into a business, and start charging them for my work.

Granted, I lost about 80% of them. 20% of them understood that I should be compensated for my work, and they started sending me referrals of people who were interested in paying for this type of work and started paying for their own work. My business was born.

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan

Interesting Steve, that proves that giving something away for free in the beginning is the best way to be successful in the long run.

I suppose so Carlitos.

Three years ago I had a website that sold advertising to used car dealers. I gave dealers a month free to try out the service. Once they saw they were able to make extra sales, then they were happy to pay my advertising fees.

If you can prove the value of your product or service, then people are happy to give you money.

This also applies to informational products. Over the the years I have bought a few technical books from Sitepoint.com. Although the books come in hardcopy, I was able to download and read the first three chapters of them.

Regards,
Steve MacLellan

I would love to take my ad off of your website,because its not doing me any good.

Smiley667, i have taken off your post and those concerning it as per your request.

Do note that THB members are one family and no one will mean any one harm.

Just let me know if you need any help.


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