You Are Not Alone

The life of a home-based businessperson can be a lonely one. Some home-based businesses are just that: home BASED but there is plenty of outside activity. For example, a home-based plumbing business may have an office at home but all of the work is done outside the office. They are the lucky ones. Most of us sit in our home offices with our telephones and computers, marketing, selling, and doing all kinds of things to promote our businesses, but no one is around except the dog. Who do we talk to? Who do we interact with? Who do we bounce ideas off of? To whom are we accountable?

This is a common problem among us bathrobe-types, but do not despair, you are not alone. There are several ways around this problem, but you have to work at it to make it happen. One way is to join your local Chamber of Commerce, and attend all of their events. The idea is to get out there and talk to other business people. Find out what they are doing, and tell them what you are doing. Just the process of talking about it will help you think! And hearing about other people’s activities will give you ideas. Finally, you just might stir up some business with other members! You just can’t go wrong attending Chamber events.

Another aspect of this problem is accountability. You know what you have to do, but if you don’t do it you don’t have to answer to anyone. Sometimes things can slip if you don’t have to explain why. Sounds kind of silly doesn’t it?

If you have to do something, just do it. Right? Wrong. It can be very difficult to do what you have to do, especially if it’s something you don’t like to do or if you just don’t feel like it. And if there is no one to answer to, it’s just too easy to let things slip. I know I often have that problem, and it helps to have someone to answer to if you get lazy.

The trick is to find someone who you can work with that will help keep you on track. It doesn’t have to be a professional person ideally, it can be someone else with a home-based business that has the same problem. Schedule a 10-minute phone call once a week so you can check up on each other. It’s amazing how much of an incentive that can be! And, there is always the added benefit of being able to bounce ideas off of each other, network, and learn from each other’s experiences.

Running a home-based business is a dream come true for many, but as with most things in life there are trade-offs. You don’t have to be alone if you don’t want to be. So don’t.

About the Author

"Make More Money and Have More Fun" with your small business! Dave will show you how with his FREE newsletter, "Big Bucks in a Bathrobe" sent by e-mail. Visit http://www.TheStayAtHomeCEO.com to sign-up, for information on speaking services, or for copies of past articles and newsletters. Comments and/or questions are always welcome at 1-800-366-2347 or Dave@DaveBalch.com. (c) 2002, A Few Good People, Inc. ALL RIGHTS

Dave@DaveBalch.com
http://www.TheStayAtHomeCEO.com