Matt Clark Unplugged

Home business, work from home and working from home how do we mange the transition?

// March 19th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Home Business Income, Success Tips

With all the economic changes people are starting to realize work from home may be the best way to make the money. Starting a home business or working from home is the new economy.  The reality is that for most people when they start their home business is how to manage the distractions that come with work from home.

Here are some tips that will help you work from home, accomplish more and get out and play everyday. These are the tips we share with all the new people that join our work from home lifestyle design home business.

Home Business does not mean only work from home

Take advantage that you now have a home business, you do not have to just sit at the desk to work from home. You can grab your laptop and work from anywhere. If you find yourself wondering around the house looking to do anything but work from home, head out to the coffee shop, library, park anywhere that you would like. Call forward the phone to your mobile and go. You can now work from home or any destination you choose. We spent 16 weeks last year working from the road and our home business did not miss a beat.

Working from home can make you fat!

Working at home can make you fat! Let’s face it, having a home business means no commute but a walk to the other room. Believe it our not a lot people the only exercise they get is going to and from work. Now that you work from home you may have just removed your only physical activity of the day. Be sure to include a exercise program into work from home daily routine. Exercise will provide you with renewed energy and your home business will grow with your commitment to your own health.

With a break in the day for a workout, run, or even a walk in the park you will find yourself clear-headed and motivated to work from home. I find the best time is first thing in the morning and the great thing is that because you have a home business you can set your own hours. Go work out in the morning, then you can return to work from home.

Media Fast

Manage the time you spend on the distractions of email, Google Reader, Twitter, Facebook etc. If you do not plan the time you use these services and be disciplined in using the services you will find your productive time disappear. Your head will pop up from the monitor and you will say to yourself, where did the day go.

Take a page from Tim Ferris’s book 4 Hour Work Week (literally). Check email twice a day, I personally do it at 10am and 3pm. As for the social networks like Twitter, facebook, MySpace, Google Reader during business hours use it for business. Have a plan how those services fit into your home business marketing plan and be focused. You can catch up with your friends, family etc. in the off work hours.

Your office, your space

A lot of people start there home business and use the dinning room table as the workspace of choice. This will work for the short term however you will find yourself going crazy if you continue. Make a space for yourself that is inviting and you enjoy being there. Get a good desk, a great chair, artwork whatever you need to be creative and relaxed.

Take Time for Yourself

The pitfall of working from home sometimes can be that you never stop working. Remember, you started a home business because you wanted more time for yourself. Make sure you treat yourself to some well deserved recreation, get out and play. Watch a great movie, read a good book, whatever feeds your mind and allows you to recharge.

Set Your Hours

Plan your days, a home business needs a consistent daily effort to become successful. I posted an article on the importance of planning your day for outstanding results. Set your work hours, it does not matter when they are just set them to suit the way you like to work. Work during those hours be consistent so friends and family know not to bother you during those times.

Friends & Family

A common problem for home business owners is that we can become a hermit. I know sometimes I can go a day and not even get outside and I say to myself what happened. I start to feel like a vampire never seeing daylight. Plan sometime with family and friends. Let’s face it most of use decided to work at home because we wanted more time with family and friends, make sure you stick to this goal!

I have been running my home business for over 2 years now and I feel that this few simple tips make all the difference. Treat yourself, your family and your friends well. You started a home business for many reasons but the most common one is freedom! Take advantage of it and be consistent in your home business efforts and you will have all the success you seek.

Do you have any tips for our readers? How do you manage the work at home, working from home, home business?

Plan for your success

// September 9th, 2008 // No Comments » // Home Business Systems, Success Tips

The house is a mess, the kids need a ride somewhere, you haven’t sat down in hours, and you have 10 minutes to eat something.

It’s 1 p.m., you’ve been working non-stop to finish a project because your boss is breathing down your neck, and it’s time for a quick, 20-minute lunch before getting back to the grind.

We often face situations similar to these two. Normally, we choose to think one step ahead. “I am tired, hungry and stressed out. I need to eat something quick. I don’t care what it is!” Unfortunately, those decisions come back to haunt us in the future, only adding to the stress already in our lives.

Many people come to me to learn about running a home business in these situations. They take the first action step to change the life they are living to move towards the life they want to live. However, most only think of that one step they look at what could be the solution they are looking for. Only looking one step ahead, it only gets you to one place-one step ahead. You get what you focus on and if you only look one step ahead you will always get that step.

Before you look into getting into a home business, you must look at why you are looking. What do you want to create? Do you want more time freedom? Do you want more money, both? Ask yourself these simple questions and write down what you want, plan ahead plan two steps ahead, maybe three. Live with intent, make a decision of want you want then make a plan to get it.

After a long day at the office, a longer commute, doing laundry, reading books, and working on night school homework, you might have to decide between the life you want and a couch that is screaming your name. Another difficult decision we face on a regular basis, and once again we often choose to think one step ahead. “I need to rest – I’m so drained!”

The difference between one step ahead and two steps ahead can mean the difference between achieving your goals, creating the lifestyle you want. Starting a business part-time and moving to that second step which is the freedom you seek. Two steps ahead, we are still tired, stressed and cranky, BUT also determined, committed and able to see the big picture.

What is the BIG PICTURE? It’s different for everyone. Having a few thoughts that motivate and inspire you will help fight through step one and see that vision. Here are a few:

• “My self-confidence is going to be so much higher because I’ve struggled through a difficult situation and found a way to conquer it!”
• “I’ve had to find a way to deal with things during a very stressful time in my life. I can’t wait to see what I can do without all the stress!”
• “I’m going to be able to keep up with my kids and be a part of their lives for a long time!”
• “Why shouldn’t my health be the most important thing in my life – it doesn’t make me selfish, just smart!”
• “If there is one thing I have complete control over, it’s my health and wealth. I am going to do whatever it takes to figure out a way because I have pride in who I am!”

“Step Two” reminds us how important consistency is in reaching our goals and helps us envision that beautiful feeling you get when you work hard to achieve something. What would it be like if you could have a home business that you put 10-15 hours a week into while working your other job and by the end of your first year you are able to walk away from the Boss breathing down your neck, the commute in traffic and live the life you planned, that second step! Where will you go now?

Start practicing now. Step One – “Oh, what a great idea. I should try that sometime, but I really have to go clean my oven.” Step Two – “What a great idea. I’m going to come up with three things that will motivate and inspire me each time I have to choose between a healthy and unhealthy decision, and I’m going to write them down so I see them on a regular basis! Now, I’m going to go clean my oven!”