Owning Your Own Home Biz: Bliss or Blunder?
By Julie Frost   ©2004 All Rights Reserved

There are some many wonderful aspects of owning your own home-based business. Like being there for your kids, a sense of fulfillment, the income, the income tax savings, the hours, the boss... I mean, what is there to complain about, right?

Wrong. Just because you own your own business does not mean that every day is going to go perfectly. Yes, you're going to have days when you ask yourself why you ever had the crazy idea of starting your own home-based business in the first place. You may even feel like quitting. But you know what? In my many years of owning my own home- based business, it seems like the days that start off the worst end up being some of the best. By the end of the day, I am almost always reminded how lucky I am to be in business for myself -- no matter how poorly the day started out. I have to admit, I'm a pretty cool boss to work for. Aren't you? Recently I was having a problem with one of my clients. While I knew I was in the right, I wanted to find a way to make her right and therefore repair the business relationship. I started to get very frustrated and wonder how I could deal with this woman on a long-term basis. I even had thoughts of just "firing" this customer. After all, if I wanted headaches, I'd go get a job! But then I started to remind myself how lucky I am to be able to be home with my daughters each day and earn a significant income at the same time. And I reminded myself that, in the grand scheme of things, my business is really all about helping other people. So, I had to ask myself: If I resolved the situation one way or the other, how would it affect myself and my business, long-term? And that is a great question to ask yourself when you're having a bad day: How is this situation going to affect my business -- both positively or negatively -- in the long term? When you want to get down to business, but are being constantly interrupted, will it really matter in a year? If the answer is no, don't worry about it. You're doing the best you can. But if you're not tracking your income and expenses, in a year (or less!) when tax time comes around, that could be a major setback. That is something you do need to resolve right away, even if you don't like to deal with it. In the case of my grumpy client, I decided that -- in the long-term -- I would not only feel better about myself and the way I handled this certain situation, but I would obviously retain business long-term, if not her respect, from this woman if I could work out the situation to her satisfaction. But it was important to me to work it out to my satisfaction, as well! I'm here to tell you: not only did everything work out for the best, she is now one of my best clients. And we get along fabulously. But don't think that I didn't feel tremendous amounts of stress over the situation. I did. I fretted over it for days. Consulted trusted mentors. I even asked my family for input. I almost lost my focus and wondered if I really was in the right business. Luckily that feeling quickly dissolved and I got back to the business I love! But there are still days, though rare, when I go to bed wondering if I'm in the right business. Trust me, we all have them. I know a man who makes over a million dollars a year from home after only 7 years in business for himself. Recently he admitted to me that, years ago, when he first got started, he would pull his car to the side of the road on his way home and cry, wondering how he would face his wife because he had not made any sales that day. You know what I believe? I believe that the only difference between him and the person who "failed" is that he didn't QUIT! And neither will I... and neither should you! If you are questioning if you're in the right business, ask yourself if this is only temporary. Are you feeling scared because this business requires you to do new things... Maybe things that you don't think you're that great at -- yet? Or that is occasionally brings up situations that make you feel uncomfortable? If so, remind yourself that no matter what business you are in, that would be the case from time to time. If your business generally brings you joy and income -- and whatever other parameters are important to you -- then one bad day here and there should not topple your future empire. Right? When you're having a bad day, try to look at your situation from a more positive point of view. Remember that you ARE the best boss to work for... that the hours are great... that being there for your family is the BEST! Thinking this way may not always make you feel instantly better, but it certainly can help you get through that moment, and on to a resolution to the situation. And who knows, maybe a few minutes, hours, or days later, you'll land a big sale or be rewarded for your efforts like never before. And then you'll be reminded that, YES! You are doing the right thing! That the "crazy" idea of starting your own home-based business was actually the BEST decision you've ever made. I know that's true for me.

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JULIE FROST is the Owner of http://www.YourHomeBiz.com -- where they help people just like you find, start, grow and succeed in their own home-based business - through articles, advice, a free weekly newsletter, and more. She also helps people become independent business owners through a home- based business opportunity: http://HomeBizSuccessTeam.com

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