Ten Keys
to Working Effectively in a Home Office
There are many successful home business
models ranging from total chaos to very structured. So there is no single
recipe that must be followed to be successful. Many home businesses are
started by refugees from corporate America who are used to the structure
and socialization aspects of the corporation. For these owners, the
following secrets will help provide the structure they may need when they
first start.
1. Negotiate an agreement with the other
inhabitants and live up.
to that agreement. Frequently there is a re-entry problem with the other
inhabitants. Your spouse may be used to being alone during the day, and
may be unhappy with your increased presence. Have a kick-off meeting to
negotiate an agreement that will avoid conflict.
2. Set aside a separate area for the
business.
If possible, dedicate a room or part of the basement to the business. This
helps everyone feel that the home is still a home. It also provides a
basis for a home office income tax deduction.
3. Schedule separate blocks of work time
and free time.
There can be many distractions during the day. It is helpful if you have a
schedule for the day so you can minimize interruptions and distractions.
4. Start every work day at the scheduled
time.
Form a habit of starting on time and keeping to the schedule. This makes
it easier to minimize distractions.
5. Don't sleep late or watch daytime TV
during work time.
It's tempting sometimes, but successful businesses are built on the days
that you don't feel like it, not on the days that you do feel like it.
6. Wear your work uniform when you are
working.
When I started my consulting practice, I found it helpful to dress
business casual (for men this is wearing a tie without a food stain). It
made me feel more like I was supposed to be working.
7. Work on high value tasks during your
peak productive hours.
Most people have specific part of the day that they are more productive. I
find my optimum schedule is to start about one hour after sunrise, work
continuously for four hours, then go out. I can work another two hours
after I return. That six hour work schedule has consistently produced more
work product than I used to produce in two days in the corporate
environment.
8. Accomplish your Single Daily Action
before you finish the workday.
Have a Single Daily Action every day which is the most important action
for that day. When you are starting your practice, this is likely to be
marketing-related.
9. Build a supportive community and
nurture it every day.
I think the chief complaint about home business is that it can get lonely
and isolated. Make it a practice to talk to people every day, even when
your focus is on completing an important project.
10. Manage your thoughts.
Sometimes it is easy to become discouraged and/or negative. Create a
method of maintaining a realistic positive outlook and reenergizing
yourself when the voice of your Evil Twin intrudes.
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