Life is Better At Home

When you made the big leap from the corporate world to owning your home based business, did you think life would be better at home? Did you believe that you could manage your time at a slower pace? Would your work be like something from a Cinderella movie – little mice and birds scurrying around to fulfill your every need? My friend Christina was certain that her coffee tasted better because she made it at home. Even her laundry smelled fresher because she was not in a panic to get it done. Not to burst anyone’s bubble but this was not the case for me!

Do not get me wrong, I am a strong advocate of entrepreneurs following their passion to start their own business. I have owned my own home based business for over 30 years and would never consider going back to the corporate life. But believe me when I say, it is not all the perfect relaxing and peaceful world pictured above. There have been a few times that I wonder – “What was I thinking?”

Being certain that a home based business is right for them can give an entrepreneur an exhilarating feeling of confidence. That feeling can carry them through many stressful times. But there will be times when confidence is running low and your decision to leave the regular routine of the corporate world comes into question. What can you do to get that original energy and drive back? Over the years while running my home based business, I have faced this situation more than a few times. Here is a list of the tips that have helped me turn stress into success.

1. Make some time for yourself. Notice the word “make” in that previous sentence. Even if it means that you have to get up ten minutes earlier every morning, you need some time to collect your thoughts and get a plan for the work day. I am not a morning person so I have my alone time at the end of the day. I read my Bible, say my prayers, and look over the next days schedule.
2. Make a list. Make a list. Make list. Put yourself on the list. For instance you might write make myself a cup of coffee or a smoothie. Nothing feels better than marking completed tasks off a list even if the list is on your cell phone. Don’t overwhelm yourself with super long lists that are impossible to complete in a day. Keep the list short with the most important tasks getting priority. That is why you need to be on the list!
3. Ask for help. Just like people in the corporate world work together as a team to tackle both small and large tasks, working at home is no different. Ask the kids or your mate for help with simple tasks like picking up toys, folding laundry, or taking out the trash. If friends offer to help by running an errand for you – let them. Completed beats perfection every time.
4. This tip will sound silly but use the slow cooker everyday. Placeing your dinner in the slow cooker in the morning before starting your work day will elimniate stress. The frenzy of trying to get dinner ready was a big, big stressor for me. But once I started practicing this tip, I gained time during my day and never had another stress headache over trying to make a last minute meal. Check out my blog post on “Consistently Cooking at Home” for some ideas on how this will save you time. YouTube is full of so many delicious slow cooker meal ideas. You may never have to eat the same meal twice in one month.

These few simple things have helped me many times to keep from becoming discouraged and wanting to give up my dream. It is only when I get out of my routine that doubt creeps in and stops my progress in living a good life at home. Remember the Bible tells us in Joshua 1:9 ” Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

I would enjoy hearing your tips and tricks for making life better at home while running a home based business. Send me an email with your ideas.