Over the years of working as an Internet Marketer I have come to learn that it takes a lot more than just knowing the methods and strategies of Internet Marketing to run a successful Home Based Business.Most people don’t seem to talk about these things or they simply forget. So here are a few of my observations.1. You are now the boss.When you start a Home Based Business, you are the boss, so you don’t have to answer to anyone, except yourself, of course. You need to be disciplined and force yourself to do the work that needs to be done. Sure, you’re not going to get fired if you don’t do your work, but you also won’t get things done which could be the downfall of your business.Quite often people think anything goes when you work from home, but you should treat it no different than any other business, online or offline.One good idea is to figure out the time of day that is your most productive and set a work schedule for yourself. Set aside those hours and make sure you schedule in breaks. Try and stay as productive as possible during those hours and limit the work you do outside of that schedule.Stay focused and on track. Create a “to-do” list for each day. Outline tasks you’d like to have finished by the end of your work day. The feeling of accomplishment you get when you cross of an item will keep you motivated all day long.If you need inspiration for an idea or just need to take a break, get away from the computer. Quite often good money making ideas come when you’re not sitting staring at the screen. I’ve never had success by trying to force an idea and believe me, I’ve tried that.2. Your home is now your office.Create a dedicated workspace for yourself. Slouching on your couch in front of the TV, with your feet up on the coffee table working on your laptop, does not count as a workspace. Get yourself a real desk and keep it organized. Not doing this could lead to distractions which ultimately affects your work schedule. Oh, and keep it clean.Eliminate distractions before you start working. Finish up whatever small chores you need to do for the day so you don’t have to take care of them when you’re on a roll. Only do work related tasks while on your work schedule.3. Make sure you take care of yourself.If you’re not feeling well, take sick days. You’re human, and just like everybody else, you need time off to rest. Grab a blanket and take a nap on the couch. You may be capable of sitting up, but that does not mean you need to be working. Take time to rest your mind and body. Trying to work when you’re sick is only frustrating and unproductive.Speaking of staying healthy, you need to exercise. It’s easy to let yourself go when your only commute is from your bed to your computer chair. Take care of yourself and get a gym membership or at the very least spend some time walking outside. Keeping fit allows you to stay focused and energized all day.One of the hardest adjustments to make when starting a Home Based Business is dealing with being alone for extended periods of time. You need to find ways to stay social. Working alone can get depressing and having a social outlet is a vital part of success.Try and find someone local who is also working from home to meet with every now and then for lunch or to discuss ideas. At the very least, invest in a web cam and keep in touch with your friends and family through Skype. If all else fails, get a pet. Pets make the day less boring, and yes, you will start to talk to your pets.4. Don’t work 24 hours a day.Although you work at the same place that you live, you need to find a way to still keep these lives separate.Often people think they can work 12 to 14 hours per day, 7 days a week simply because they have nothing else to do. There’s no easier way to burn out than trying to work such long hours. You simply can’t stay focused and productive for so long every day.Respect the weekends and take time off on holidays. It’s okay to let an email wait until the morning. It’s okay to have a personal life. You do not have to be readily available every minute of the day.5. You get to live an awesome life.If you reach a point in your Home Based Business where you can work full time, that is amazing. It’s a very big accomplishment that very few people can achieve.People often tell me how they envy that lifestyle. No more working 10-hour days in an office building and often coming home stressed about your job, boss, deadlines, salary, or any number of things that accompany an office job. Limited to the amount of sick days you’re allowed to take! I’m forever grateful that I don’t have to deal with any of that.If you have an opportunity to start a Home Based Business, definitely give it a try. It will be challenging at first, but there’s nothing that can match the feeling of running a successful Home Based Business.So, these were just a few things I’ve learned over the years. I’m sure you have things to add to this list.
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