Working from home is a privilege. You control your time and have the freedom to do what you want. This so-called freedom also leads to the reason so many people fail when they work from home. Working from home brings its own challenges.
You are the boss, employee, sales rep, customer service, and complaint department. The lone ranger if you don’t have a partner. You must set the expectations for your business. It is all on you. Success takes sacrifice. Success takes learning from mistakes either your own or others. Learn from the blunders I have made in my business.
Here Are 8.5 Blunders to Avoid:
Blunder 1 Failure to Create a Separate Work Area: You are a real business. So you should have a business work area. Even if you are in a one-bedroom apartment (this is how I started) you need a corner or small room for your business. Zone off common areas you share during your business hours. Put away personal objects to set the business tone for the day
Blunder 2 No Daily Method of Operation: How many hours do you intend to work? Do you plan your work and work your plan? The reason people work from home is the freedom to do what they want. They hate schedules. But it’s your daily method of operation that will make you successful. To have success stick to a schedule.
Having a daily method of operation will eliminate the frustrations of running a business. It will give you clarity and a sense of direction. Create short-term and long-term goals. Have milestones you attend to reach.
Read Related Story: 8.5 Horrible Mistakes That Newbies Make
Blunder 3 Too Much Time Alone: It can get lonely working from home. I have my home office but I interact with people every day. I attend company events, seminars, and speaking engagements. Don’t do everything virtually. Get out and meet your clients. Plan lunch dates. Breathe some fresh air and build your business.
Blunder 4 Allowing Interruptions: Your spouse, kids, parents, neighbors, and friends always seem to call during your hours of operation. Since they have a job and you work from home they think you do nothing. With your freedom, it is easy to start taking calls, answering emails, and engaging all your social media notifications. Stop it. You can’t go to their jobs and bug them. Don’t get distracted by chores, errands, and babysitting. Stick to your schedule.
Your Home Your Sanctuary
Blunder 5 Working 24-7: I get it business is expanding, you can’t keep up with the orders, and your employees are spending the night at your house. Burnout is imminent. If growth is your problem and everyone is working at your home then it’s time to lease some office space. Find ways to outsource menial jobs. Send everyone home at a set time.
Blunder 6 Employee Abuse: You risk damage to your home when you have employees. They can damage your carpet, and your furniture, or attach notes to your wall. Plus you can be held liable if they get hurt on your property. Set expectations early for your employees and let them know you run a clean ship. They get to leave you don’t.
Blunder 7 Failure to Work “On” Your Business: There is a difference between working “On” your business and working “IN” your business. Getting too busy to be organized is a failure in working “On” your business. As work piles up it is easy to let organization slide. Working “On” your business is setting up systems to help you automate and keep organized.
Some simple steps are to handle papers once and file them away. Keep your workplace clean like you would at your job. Then find ways to outsource the mundane things so you can work on income-producing activities.
The Final Steps
Blunder 8 Depending Too Much on Loved Ones: With no co-workers around you may engage too much with your family. Taking out your business problems with someone who is not involved is a recipe for disaster. They may get weary of your business issues. Plus they aren’t the best for business advice. Get out and find people who are in a related business and network with them. Your family will appreciate it.
Blunder 8.5 Failing to Have Fun: Schedule some free time to relax and take a break during your work schedule. Plan vacations and take days off. You are in business to make money and you might as well enjoy it. Put the fun into your schedule. Treat yourself.
Action Steps
Print out these 8.5 Blunders and post them on your wall to remind you not to do these things. The quicker you put these into action the faster your business will grow.
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