iSnare.com - Free Content Articles Directory
Authors Contents [Advanced Search][Add OpenSearch][Job Search]
Distribute your articles to thousands of article sites for only $2 and below! Read more...

Index  Womens Interest
 

Home-Based Business – Keep Home Out Of Work And Work Out Of Home

 
[ Contact the Author] [ Send to a Friend] [ Article Publisher] [Make PDF] [ Print] [ Bookmark & Share]
 
Read our Terms of Service before reprinting this article. The submitter specified above has claimed the rights to this article.
Alan Masters

Depending on who’s counting, there are between 18 million and 38 million home-based business operating in the United States. In fact, over 52% of all small businesses are home-based. And the phenomenon is growing. Clearly, more and more people are discovering the satisfaction and financial reward of business ownership and the advantages of working from home.

However, along with these advantages come a number of potential problems. One of the most persistent issues for home-based workers is the simple fact that they are conducting a professional activity from their home. The ideal situation is to create a good balance between your work life and your home life even when the commute has been reduced to walking from one room to another.

Get dressed for work

It’s great to spend the day working in your bathrobe but many people say that when they are dressed for leisure, their attitude, voice presence on the telephone and work habits become leisurely as well.

Get a separate phone line

It’s hard to project a professional image when your voicemail says, “Hi, you’ve reached GJT Catering and also the home of Gail, John, Timmy and Scout (woof, woof). Please leave a message.” Potential clients may worry that their message will be received by Timmy, not Gail or John, or whoever is actually the business owner. Plus, on a shared line, you may miss calls when the line is tied up with family issues.

Keep regular hours

Keep regular business hours or at least say that you do, even if you’re more likely to produce those corporate communications at odd hours of the night. Clients like to know how they can reach a business owner and are often uncomfortable calling in the evening when they know it’s a home business. (Of course, there are also those clients who believe that because it’s a home business, you are available 24/7.)

The second big reason is, especially if you’re a mom, working from home can translate to other people as “available during the day” for PTO activities, child pickup and snow day babysitting while “working moms” go off to their places of employment. Of course, it may be that part of the reason you work from home is precisely to be available for these activities. If so, just be sure that you have defined the parameters by advertising your “work hours” then adjusting at your own discretion.

Keeping regular hours is also a good way to tell yourself it’s time to quit and get in some personal or family time.

Maintain a barrier between your work space and your home space

Even though your client may say they understand, no business person really wants to have a telephone conversation with someone whose child is audible in the background. This very typical scenario will lead your client to wonder if you can really pay attention to what they are saying when there are clearly family issues going on at the same time. The ability to shut a door and limit the sounds of home life will lend a much more professional tone to your business.

On the other hand, a door or some other barrier allows you to walk away from the job when it’s time to re-enter family life without being tormented by the piles on your desk or the lure of the computer screen.

Get some exercise and stay out of the fridge

Some people who begin to work from home find that they can better schedule exercise because their time is their own. However, for many, they are no longer walking up the stairs to the office, taking a stroll through the park at lunch or stopping by the gym on the way home. Moreover, the fridge is available, the food is free and no one’s looking. The stress of being a business owner combined with the change in lifestyle can create a less healthy lifestyle. Do yourself a favor and make exercise and healthy food a part of your home office routine.

Take advantage of the advantages

It’s great to be able to take a break from your work, pay a few bills, put a chicken in the oven and take a minute to check in with your teen when he gets home after school. Take advantage of these perks without guilt; you deserve to enjoy your work-at-home life.

Important NoticeDISCLAIMER: All information, content, and data in this article are sole opinions and/or findings of the individual user or organization that registered and submitted this article at Isnare.com without any fee. The article is strictly for educational or entertainment purposes only and should not be used in any way, implemented or applied without consultation from a professional. We at Isnare.com do not, in anyway, contribute or include our own findings, facts and opinions in any articles presented in this site. Publishing this article does not constitute Isnare.com's support or sponsorship for this article. Isnare.com is an article publishing service. Please read our Terms of Service for more information.

Alan Masters is the President and CEO of Benefit Masters located in South Lake Tahoe, California.http://www.AlanMasters.com 800-795-6823 Toll Free 530-318-6971 Cell - AlanMasters@Ameriplan.net email.
Article Tags: business [See Dictionary], home [See Dictionary], work [See Dictionary]
Got a question about this article? Ask the community!
Article published on February 17, 2007 at Isnare.com
Rate [Ratings: 5 / 5] [Votes: 2]


Shopping Bridal Accessories Online
Submitted by: Janet R.

There are so many to things to count in order to plan a wedding They can be overwhelming at times, but thanks to the Internet, because now there are lots of transactions that can be done online...

Ballroom Dancing Lessons: How to Talk Your Man Into Going?
Submitted by: Meryl Rougeaux

Before you start to seek out avenues of instruction, or start learning ballroom dancing, you will have to do two things: find a partner, and decide why you want to dance...

Ballroom Dance – Synonymous to Elegant Dancing
Submitted by: Ronald Rougeaux

Many people wants to learn ballroom dancing because it is a nice social activity which is perfectly fine, learner you should know that if they are looking into ballroom dancing as a competitive sport, it will cost more to get going...

An Introduction to Ballroom Dance Steps
Submitted by: Meryl Rougeaux

As there are several kinds of ballroom dances, all of them have several movements, positions and steps...

Does Cutting of the Hair Make it Grow Faster?
Submitted by: Samuel Peterson

It is often believed that cutting and trimming of hair allows the hair grow at a faster rate However, it’s not as what is believed...

Get the Designer Ladies Leather Gloves
Submitted by: Shelly Resta

Ladies Leather Gloves Men will continue men They broadly speaking lean to push aside about the path they count and how to retain themselves off from bodily hurt and super repellent atmospheric condition...

Progesterone and Breast Cancer Prevention
Submitted by: Rocky Walsborn

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women in the US...

Tips For Women Who Want to Learn Martial Arts & Self Defense
Submitted by: William F. Gabriel

There are many products, videos, and classes out there marketed to women to help them learn martial arts and other self defense programs...

ZAP Baton Stun Gun With Flashlight
Submitted by: Eharris

You're walking your dog at night down a dark street or alleyway You have a flashlight with you...

Lingerie Review: Vanity Fair Bras
Submitted by: Carmen Petitclerc

Vanity Fair bras are without a doubt one of the most sought after products offered by the company These brassieres are available in an array of bra styles and colors and are a favorite amongst many women...

Plus Size Swimwear - An Easy Shopping Guide For Plus Size Swimwear
Submitted by: Dawn Barrington

When shopping for plus size swimsuits, it's so easy to get discouraged A lot f the time, it can seem like the only swimsuits anyone is selling in your size are the horrible tent type swimsuits...

What Men Desire When Buying a Diamond Watch?
Submitted by: Guy Richman

Investing in a diamond watch is an challenging time in a man's lifetime; it means he has arrived at a confident level of achievement and has the ways to invest in a representation of his achievement...

Wedding Jewelry For Your Special Day
Submitted by: Suzie OConnor

The day is rapidly approaching and you are down to the final choices To say that you have been busy would be the understatement of the century, but it will all be worth it...

Get the Classic Carolina Amato Gloves
Submitted by: Shelly Resta

Carolina Amato Gloves Design Carolina Amato is a noted accessory fashion designer who has proposed a gigantic set out of gloves, wraps, hats, scarves and other supplements for both men and women...

Observing a Pair of Womens Narrow Shoes Through the Net
Submitted by: Kimberly Ducado

If you stimulate your feet practised so frequently, risks are, you will sustain wider feet But if you dont, you might exactly take narrow feet...

Isnare.com Footer Divider

© 2004-2010. Isnare Free Articles - An Isnare Online Technologies Free Articles Project. All Rights Reserved.   Privacy Policy