Challenges, Excuses and Giving Up

All home entrepreneurs face challenges in their businesses.  There may have been times in your career when you thought that this challenge (that you are experiencing at the moment) must be worse than anyone else has faced.  You may even have asked yourself why you should put any more time or effort into your business, because you knew you would never succeed.

Before I started my home business, I did my homework.  I spent a couple weeks researching the company.  By the time I decided to join, I was certain that I would succeed, no matter what it took!  I knew about the owners of the company; I had learned a great deal about what I would be promoting; and I was confident that I could overcome whatever obstacles came my way.

What I did not expect, however, was for my sponsor to quit before she trained me!  I had not anticipated that I would have to teach myself the business.  I knew nothing about network marketing; and I did not know that I had "rolled up" to my "upline."  So, I didn't contact her for help. 

Talk about challenges!  I did not get a great start with my business.  In fact, I almost broke company records for taking the longest time to reach my first promotion.  Through it all though, I always knew that I would learn the business and I would be successful. 

I could have made excuses and jumped ship right then and there.  I could have blamed my enroller for abandoning me.  But I CHOSE not to do so.  

Over the next few years, I had two major crises in my personal life that nearly destroyed my business.  I had to start all over again after each one, build my business over and over again.

All these things were bumps in the road, maybe even mountains I had to scale, but because I was confident in my product, my company, and most of all myself, I did what was necessary and moved on.  I gave myself a pep talk, and my team helped me too (one in particular; you know who you are).  I listened to training calls.  That is one of the great things about a network marketing business.  There is always someone to support you.

I am so glad I "stuck it out" and stayed with my business.  My husband wouldn't be retired today had I decided to surrender to failure.   I've had the privilege of helping so many others who may not be where they are today had I left the business.  And there is so much that I have today that I would not have had if it wasn't for my business

We've all heard the expression, but I have taken it to heart.  To me, quitting is not an option!

Setting up Your Home Office

I've had people ask me over the years whether they need a home office in order to operate a business at home.  The answer is, yes, BUT...  

A home office need not be an entire room used exclusively for your business.  There are many people who begin by using their kitchen table, for instance.  The important part, and what makes a "home office" is being prepared with all the supplies and equipment you need and having them readily available.

Seldom can any home business today operate without a computer with internet access and a telephone, preferably with unlimited free long distance.  If necessary, you can start with dial-up internet service.  It will be slower, but it will serve the purpose.  Since you can save "documents" in your computer, if you don't have a printer at the beginning, you may be able to get by without it, but it should be one of your first investments as soon as you can afford it.  A very basic, inexpensive printer is fine for most purposes.  You can find them for less than $50.  I even purchased one for $29!

And, if you don't have free long distance service, you may want to sign up for Skype or Magic Jack, or any other VOIP connection.   They offer long distance service, using your computer, at an extremely low cost.

For those whose business requires a great deal of phone work, a headset or blue tooth will help immensely.  Headsets are inexpensive, so if you do not have one when you start your business, I'd suggest it be one of your first "investments" as soon as you start earning money.  You can find them at Radio Shack for about $20 if you just want something simple.

Other basics that you should have handy are pens, scratch paper, a stapler, paper clips and paper for your printer.  Depending upon your particular business and how you work it, you may need file folders and a file cabinet (or a simple storage crate).

If you do't have a place in your home where you can keep your "office" set up at all times (like if you're using your kitchen table), then store your supplies in a box that is easily carried from wherever you store it when not in use to your work area. 

Always try to have those things that you use frequently within reach so you can grab them quickly when you need them.  While I highly recommend that you get up from your desk and move around often, it is best if you don't have to get up just to reach a document you just printed.

That's it, just a few items close by and convenient make a home office.

And, don't forget that nearly everything you use or purchase for your business is tax deductible... But that is for another discussion.

“An idea is something that won’t work unless you do.”

“An idea is something that won’t work unless you do.” -- Thomas Edison, Inventor, Scientist and Businessman

As an inventor and holder of over 1000 patents, Edison's message carries a great deal of weight!

It is great to dream, set goals and believe in yourself, but unless you work at it, nothing will ever come to fruition.

Discipline Required to Work at Home

While the benefits of working from home are wonderful, for some it can be difficult.  Not everyone is meant to have a career at home.                 

Self discipline is critical. For some, getting up in the morning, taking a shower, getting dressed, eating breakfast and then “going to work” in a home office is next to impossible.                    

Not everyone can set a “work schedule” and stick to it. There are those who must be told that they have to start working at 8 AM, take a one-hour lunch, and go home at 5 PM. They must be given tasks to perform in a given period of time. For those who need a truly structured schedule and assigned tasks, you really had better get a j-o-b.           

Successful home entrepreneurs establish a work schedule for themselves, but if need be, you can alter your schedule if you work for yourself. You'll have appointments, your child will be in a school play, you'll decide to take a vacation. These things happen.           Then, there’s the challenge of dealing with distractions and interruptions. Many home workers establish a time when they will accept phone calls from family and friends. They notify them that they simply will not pick up the phone during certain hours.            

We can even set a scheduled time for calls from clients/prospects. Doing so can prevent distractions when you are working on projects that need close attention.       How about family interruptions? What will you do if the baby wakes from her nap earlier than usual or your children start arguing, as siblings do? You’d planned that time to work!  You must learn to adapt to unplanned situations, because they will occur.                 

We’ve all seen advertisements saying “I work in my pajamas.” I personally cannot get serious about my work when I’m in a nightgown! I won’t say I’ve never answered a quick email or phone call when I’m not “dressed for work.” Ordinarily, however, when I get dressed in the morning, I feel ready for my day, ready to “go to work.”  Getting dressed triggers the mental “switch” that says "it’s time to go to work."              

If you are considering working at home, look inside yourself, be honest.  Do you have the self-control, the discipline it takes to “be your own boss?”