No matter where you on in the world, there are countless online and work from home jobs to choose from. But, just like anything else online, there are also things available to you that might seem too good to be true - and often, they are.
Here’s the good news, there are several things that you can do to make sure that you don’t end up beings scammed out of your hard work or money.
1. Do your research.
If you are offered a paying position or even a temporary job by someone online, do a search on their name or email address and see if anything fishy comes up. Try to deal with people who have good reputations, or at the very least who don’t have bad reputations. You should try to avoid people who send you emails from a free email accounts, unless they include a lot of business information that you can check and verify. Remember that you should always be on the look out for potential scammers, and this includes in the job market.
2. Ask Questions.
Try to ask as many questions of the person who is hiring you before you begin work. Make sure there is a work contract that you can sign and keep for your own records, so that you will have written proof if anything goes wrong or if you do work that you aren’t paid for. The more information you are getting on the person who is offering you work, the better chance you have of staying clear of scammers, because often scammers will not give you very much information.
3. Keep Records.
It goes without saying that you need to keep track of your own work, and everything you are doing. Track what you have done and how much you need to be paid for it. Be sure to keep track of when that payment has been received. And, if you can, try to keep records of all of the communications that you have with the people who are recruiting you to work. Make sure that they are always answering your questions.
4. Trust Your Instincts.
Feel out a person before you take work for them. Make sure that you are able to trust this person, and that they have given you enough information so that you feel they are trustworthy. You should be able to know if you can really trust someone or not by the time you begin to work with them. Avoid the places and the people who you simply don’t trust. If you don’t trust someone, you shouldn’t take work from that person. That is just a good rule of thumb to keep in mind. Don’t work for those that you do not trust, and this should go for all types of work, whether it is from home or not.
There are lots of good opportunities out there for entrepreneurs. You need to go into them with your eyes open and your radar on. There is a rule of thumb that always works: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Do you homework and you will find success not scams.
Jennifer Lavoie is a home-based business coach. Using Robert Kiyosaki’s teaching, she helping others to build passive income businesses and retire early and free. http://www.retirefree.ws
The typical dream image of the person working at home almost always involves pink fuzzy slippers, an over-sized coffee mug, and a relaxed atmosphere.
While I can admit I’ve been known to work in my PJs and slippers, it’s important to realize that “all that glitters is gold”. There are some very serious pitfalls that have to be avoided in order to make working at home a profitable reality for anyone who is willing to give it a try. To this end, there are usually two avenues available to anyone ready to give it a go: self employment and telecommuting.
Before we move ahead, lets explain the differences between the two. First off, telecommuting means you are still employed by a company. You might be working at home but you are technically still an employee and bound by the company rules. As a self employed person, you are running your own business (and responsible for all aspects of the business including invoicing, accounting, managing workload and client relations).
While both of these options will allow you to stay at home in pursuit of profit, they each have their pitfalls. Before you decide to embark on either one of them, make sure that you weight the pros and cons!
For example, while so many late night commercials are filled with smiling mothers who are seeing their little ones off to school only to return home at a leisurely pace to sell a product for an international company. It is important in this situation to remember that you are selling a product and you will be required to handle customer concerns, complaints and even compensation if the product doesn’t work for them as claimed. Before starting in this kind of a business, understand what the product does, how it does it and most importantly what the return policies are like. When you are starting any business, understand the legal ramifications. When you own your own business, you open yourself to potential law suits if things go wrong. Make sure you consult both an accountant and a lawyer to ensure you and your assets are protected.
While this may make you now consider telecommuting, keep in mind that this field has its pitfalls as well. For example, while your boss in the office will appreciate your hard work and dedication when she or he sees you burning the midnight oil to get a project finished, she or he will most likely not have the same appreciation for your efforts when you do the same thing at home
Remember there are still bosses out there who believe if they can’t see you working long hours, you must be slacking off (even if your results tell a very different tale.) Conversely, if you do manage to achieve the almost impossible deadlines while telecommuting, the odds are good that you will be facing tighter and tighter deadlines. Since you are most likely not an hourly employee, this means that you may end up working 20 hours in one day, and still only get paid what you normally would. As an employee, you earn a salary which does not always translated into profits when you are working long hours.
So, what should you do?
Sit down and find out exactly what it will take to make your work at home dream a profitable reality. Weigh the pros and cons of each option and make sure you have a clearly defined plan for your business or telecommuting solution. Do not too quickly lunge at an opportunity that at second glance is little more than an anchor weighing you down.
Jennifer Lavoie is a home-based business coach and published author. Using Robert Kiyosaki’s teaching, she helping others to build passive income businesses and retire early and free. http://www.retirefree.ws
Do you wish you had more money, wish to win the lottery, wish for business success, wish for … insert dream here.
If you spend all your time wishing, you won’t realize the results you are seeking. To get success or to achieve the things you are looking for, you need to dig deeper.
In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill says: “Wishing will not bring riches. But desiring riches with a state of mind that becomes an obsession, then planning definite ways and means to acquire riches, and backing those plans with persistence which does not recognize failure, will bring riches.”
This is a powerful statement. Read it again and think about what he is saying. How many people do we know wish for riches and success but do nothing to achieve it. That statement synthesizes all the elements you need to gain the riches you desire. Not only does it cover the desire (why), but putting the steps in place to get where you are heading.
It’s hard to get anywhere without a plan, and a plan is what will keep you moving toward that goal much more rapidly than some abstract wish.
I think this is the greatest and overlooked element of a home business … planning. So many people start out in business with a vague goal (which you can translated into a wish). This new business will get them to that goal … ie staying home with the kids or quitting a job. They have a vague idea of what they want but no plan to handle obstacles … and certainly not a plan that does not “recognize failure.”
What do I mean by that. Many people start in business assuming that if they do one thing, the money will start rolling in. And, unless it is some get rich quick scheme, it won’t work. At the first sign of disappointment or failure, they give up and their dreams gather dust on the shelf.
By building a plan that acknowledges there will be tough times and more importantly, has a plan to address it, has a greater chance of success. You need to address contingencies … how you will overcome challenges, and I would argue it includes a list of coaches and mentors you can call for help and support.
While we are all independent business people, we are not in business alone. Robert Kiyosaki says investing is a team sport. He’s right. You need a strong team around you to be able to succeed. You team should be made up of professionals but also mentors and coaches who can provide you with guidance and support as you grow … both personally and in business.
So, if you’re now ready, start writing. Put a plan on paper that outlines how you are going to build your business and what you are going to do and invest each and every day to get there. Write it down and refer back to it regularly to readjust or change elements in the plan to reflect current situation.
With this plan, success is not a wish, it can be a reality.
Jennifer Lavoie is a home-based business coach and published author. Using Robert Kiyosaki’s teaching, she helping others to build passive income businesses and retire early and free. http://www.retirefree.ws
Personal Branding can be a powerful tool for success. If you are marketing yourself or your professional services, a strong personal brand will draw people and opportunities to you like a magnet.
Personal Branding is about honing your skills, narrowing your focus, and getting clear on what you’re passionate about.
Branding is not just about you being better than your competition. It’s about getting your prospects to choose you as the ONLY solution to their problem.
Here are seven powerful benefits of creating a strong personal brand:
1. Increase your competitive edge
One of the greatest benefits to you of having a strong brand is that it creates a sense of individuality and “separateness” in the marketplace so that your clients are able to easily differentiate your company from your competitors.
2. Catapult your authentic self into the marketplace
Your brand is deeply rooted in your authentic personal identity. The goal of personal branding is to be known for who you are as a person and what you stand for. Your brand is a reflection of who you are, your opinions, values, and beliefs that are visibly expressed by what you say and do, and how you do it.
In effect, it evolves from the search for identity and meaning. For many, it’s about using your best talents and gifts in the service of others. With a clearly defined personal brand strategy, you will create your life from a level of personal authenticity that reflects your deepest priorities.
3. Focus your time and talents to achieve maximum leverage
Your personal brand plan can become your own compass or personal North Star. It can guide all your actions and communications so that you demonstrate authenticity and consistency in all your interactions.
4. Create top of mind awareness for your business or professional services
Product and service differentiation has now shifted to brand differentiation. It means consumers do not distinguish products and services, but brands. The branding process allows you to take control of your identity and influence the perception others will have about you and the services you offer.
5. Create the buzz to increase demand for your products, services and expertise
You can achieve effortless business growth using simple branding solutions to generate word-of-mouth marketing through the invisible networks that the buzz spreads through.
Your brand will connect you with the movers and shakers who will send you referrals and give you testimonials. It will get people talking about you to stimulate customer-to-customer selling. Persistent action to communicate your brand consistently through many channels will start to generate the buzz and create excitement for your products and services.
6. Generate more sales and higher income in less time
Most professionals don’t reach their full income potential. A strong personal brand will enable you to effortlessly attract clients and opportunities. You will position yourself in the mind of your marketplace as THE service provider of choice to dominate your market and command higher fees - work less and make more!
7. Establish yourself as an expert and become a celebrity in your area of specialty
Gain name recognition in your area of expertise where it counts the most - in your customer’s mind. Make a lasting impression and be super-rewarded for your individuality.
Trust, respect, and admiration will follow when your name and message are embedded repeatedly into the consciousness of your target market. You will be perceived as an expert the more you are visible to your target audience. Your brand will propel you to the top in your marketplace.
It’s your time to SHINE!
Copyright 2006 by Jan Marie Dore. www.janmariedore.com
Jan Marie Dore, “The Women Entrepreneurs Success Coach,” helps women business owners and independent professionals attract more clients with creative marketing strategies. Get her marketing tips and FREE report ‘7 Critical Women Small Business Marketing Mistakes’ at http://www.femalepreneurs.com
The internet has sparked a trend called ‘Personal Branding’. Branding identifies and differentiates you, your business, and your products and services so you stand out from the crowd, get noticed - and get hired.
Personal Branding can be the most powerful tool for success in your self-marketing toolkit. It involves identifying your key strengths and expertise, identifying the real needs that you can meet for your ideal clients, and then communicating your message consistently in many different ways.
You can identify, package and market who you are to build a personal brand that leads to business growth, influence, and income.
Here are three key things you need to develop a strong personal brand:
1. A clear, unique strength, talent, or expertise.
Get clear on your personal strengths, talents, values, and core area of expertise. Understand how you connect best with people. Consider what your target audience needs and wants, and then identify the value and the experience that you can deliver to meet those needs and wants. Communicate in ways that reach into the hearts and minds of your target audience and connect with their core values and deepest desires.
2. An ability to clearly articulate that uniqueness.
The personal branding process is about having self-awareness of your strengths and talents, and then letting everyone know about your gifts, talents, and experience. It’s about giving a clear impression of who you are, what you value, what you’re committed to, and how you can be counted upon to act. It’s about having clear, key marketing messages to convey in all of your communications with prospects and clients.
Your branding statement must provide a clear, concise view of your unique set of strengths and tell why you can do it better than anyone else. You need to be able to state clearly and unequivocally why you are different than everyone else, and what services you offer that make you unique and set you ahead of your competition.
3. The persistence to communicate your brand consistently through many channels.
Consistency is one of the keys to building a strong personal brand. Be aware of being consistent in every interaction you have, both in what you say and how you respond.
Your brand is developed over time by all the associations made, the expectations met, the messages communicated, and the services delivered. A great way to deliver a consistent message is through an email newsletter that you send on a regular basis to clients and prospects. You can write articles in your area of expertise so that over time people come to know and trust you. They’ll know what you stand for, how knowledgeable you are, and how you work with clients.
Establishing a Professional Brand is absolutely critical to long term, sustainable business growth. In an overcrowded marketplace, if you’re not standing out, then you’re invisible. Branding your products and services will give you an edge over your competition and enhance your value to your target market.
Personal Branding will differentiate you, your business, and your products and services so that you stand out from the crowd, get noticed - and get hired.
The marketplace is waiting for you to make your mark on it. What are you waiting for?
Personal Branding is all about knowing what you have to offer to your marketplace and what makes you different from everyone else so that you can stand out and be recognized and remembered. It is having a reputation for delivering a product, program, or service that delivers extreme value to your target market.
Fill in your answers to the following to gain clarity on the unique aspects of your Professional Brand:
1. My top three personal strengths:
2. My top three talents:
3. My core area of expertise:
4. What my target audience needs and wants:
5. The value and the experience I can deliver to meet those needs and wants:
6. What I can do better than anyone else:
7. What services I offer that differentiate me and set me ahead of my competition:
Developing a brand identity is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. With some thought and creativity, all the pieces will eventually fit.
Copyright 2006 by Jan Marie Dore. http://www.janmariedore.com
Jan Marie Dore publishes the newsletter ‘Success Secrets for Women Entrepreneurs’. She teaches solo professional women marketing and sales strategies to attract new clients, grow their business, and make more money. Subscribe and be invited to free teleseminars at http://www.femalepreneurs.com
An email newsletter is one of the best ways to market your professional services using the Internet. It’s a great low-cost way to keep in touch with prospects and clients who want to create or expand a relationship with you.
Here are six secrets to ensure the success of your email newsletter.
1. Have a compelling subject line for your email message to encourage subscribers to open and read your newsletter.
Ezine publishers often overlook this simple strategy. You’ve worked hard to write and produce your ezine. It would be a shame if people overlooked reading it because either you didn’t identify yourself clearly in the *from* line, or you didn’t use a compelling subject line that enticed them to open and read. Try to capture their curiosity or get their attention with your subject line. Also, include the name of your ezine in the subject line of each issue so that readers will recognize that it’s from you.
2. Write to a specific target audience.
If you know whom you’re writing to and for, you can provide better value. List the specific characteristics of the ideal client that you’re writing for. Use language that your target market will relate to, and demonstrate your expertise in solving their key challenges. When you address their main concerns in your newsletter, they feel valued and heard.
3. Write original content that provides solutions to this niche audience.
Solid, original content is an important aspect of a successful ezine. No matter what your area of expertise, write content that your niche audience wants and needs. Write about the solutions to their key issues. Be a resource for your target group. Give them a reason to hire you.
4. Write in a personal manner and conversational tone.
Write as if you were speaking directly to your ideal client. Share your experiences and knowledge when writing your ezine. Use the word *you* when you write so that the person reading feels as if you are speaking directly to them. Use the person’s name if your broadcast system allows you to automate this feature.
5. Write consistently and keep up with a regular schedule.
Frequency of publishing is important. Publish often, but don’t overdo it. Anywhere from once a week to once a month is fine. Create an editorial calendar and timeline for yourself with deadlines and topics for the next six months so that you can stay on a schedule. Have a reserve of articles written and ready to go so that if an emergency comes up, you won’t miss your deadline. Readers get used to your schedule and notice when an issue is missing.
6. Invite readers to provide feedback, questions, and topic suggestions.
The key to your success online is building relationships with people so that they come to know, like and trust you. Inviting feedback opens up a one-way communication into a two-way conversation. People appreciate the opportunity to give you their opinion or ask a question.
Do any or all of the above, and you will increase the chances of publishing a newsletter that is well received and valued by clients and prospects. Over time, you will have a solid relationship with them as their trusted advisor.
Copyright 2006 by Jan Marie Dore. www.janmariedore.com
Jan Marie Dore teaches women business owners secrets to success. Sign up for her savvy and smart FREE e-zine and receive a 30 page Bonus Report ‘The 7 Critical Small Business Marketing Mistakes Women Make. . . and Solutions to Easily Fix Them’ by visiting http://www.femalepreneurs.com
The concept of home based business came as savior to many entrepreneurs who could not achieve their goals of creating and running their own business. We all know that financial reasons were at the top of the obstacles that were overcome by the home based business concept.
Online business made things even easier, but people confused the easiness of getting into business with the easiness of achieving results. Since it is easy to establish a business in a day or two, even within few minutes, people thought that they should achieve results within the same timeframe.
Scam marketers enforced this false belief even further by bombarding the internet with their false promises about achieving wealth within days. Even for those who know the truth, they still have this vision at the back of their heads that can confuse them and distract them each time this vision comes forward.
Most online marketers get into the business while they are either still working at their day jobs or while they are still students. Therefore, the time allocated for their online business is limited. Nevertheless, they allocate a specific time that they discipline themselves to adhere to regardless of any distraction.
Actually this is the right thing to do if anybody wants to succeed in online business. Specific daily goals are set that needs to be done during the limited daily time allocated for their business. Now here comes the challenge;
Online marketers who know what they are in for and who are not fooling themselves about achieving financial freedom within a couple of weeks, work month after month motivated by their ability to discipline themselves and by other results such as number of back links, increased traffic to their website, free trial subscribers, members of their newsletter, etc.
With all this struggling, many online marketers, if not all, face a period of time when their lives become so busy that they find it extremely hard to achieve their daily targets. This is when many might think that they do not have the time anymore to run the business. Actually this is the right time to test their discipline, but at the same time they should not bang their heads against the wall.
When our lives get hectic for whatever reason, then simply what we need to do is to adjust our targets to accommodate the current situation. Accordingly we should realize that our short, medium and long term goals are going to be affected.
Therefore, to overcome this challenging period and overcome the accompanying psychological trap, do not take drastic measures about your online business. What you need to do is measure your current situation carefully and re-evaluate the time that you can allocate for your online business on daily basis. If you are not able to allocate hours on daily basis then try to do it on weekly basis. Then what you need to do is set up you daily or weekly targets.
This way you can keep running your business on slow mode until this hectic period is over. When it is over then you can switch back to your original work plan. This way you will stress yourself out about not being able to run your online business, and you will not regret a lifetime decision that was caused only by a momentary situation.
If you follow this tactic you will be able to win a battle that most new internet marketers lose, and you will be able to keep running your online business without having to quit.
To find the best home based business ideas and
opportunities so you can work at home visit:
http://www.BusinessFountains.com
Owning a profitable home business and working at home are the two most often spoken phrases when an employee is asked what they would really like to do instead of going to work, j.o.b.,every day.
It is the sense of independent accomplishment that goes in with owning our own home business, also it is the joy of being at home in warm, familiar surroundings while still doing work that will earn you a truly personal income.
Of doing it with your own two hands and mind. Of knowing you can do it. Of being genuinely proud of yourself.
Whatever our case is, successfully working at home with our own home business is not something that happens by chance but instead something that needs to be planned very deliberately.
Here are some tips on working at home with your own independent business:
Set up and organize your home office.
Being an entrepreneur at home has many perks, but if you do not have a dedicated, clear work space, you will not be able to enjoy them very much. You, your family and pets must all understand exactly where and what it is.
Your business credibility will suffer if prospective customers hear the entertainment channels in the background unless you are signing up others to work with you from the same, good bye j.o.b. circumstances.
Set apart clearly defined work space that will allow you to close a door or at least to be undisturbed by whatever goes on in another part of your home. Family must all understand and respect this. Very important, okay? Let them know is to better you all.
Set some office and work hours and stick to them.
The temptation will be great to devote every waking hour to your new enterprise, but keep in mind that doing so will not only lead to a quick burnout, but it will also counteract any positive experiences you could have while working at home.
Remember what Mr. Myagi said in the Karate Kid Movie? Everything in life must have balance. Not too much and not too little. Tremendous advice.
Designate an hour of quality time with your family, including pets, every day. Actually cook them a nutritious, fun breakfast.
Be home and available when the school bus drops off the kids. This will be worth more to you than all the money in the world. Trust me on this.
It is not fair to your family or you to work during off hours! Your brain will separately go over your problems and come up with many brilliant solutions during these quality family times. I know because I have done it.
Learn to say no.
For reasons that may invite endless speculation, when friends and family hear that you are now working from home, many will take this as an open invitation to drop by and visit, request that you watch their kids, or run some errands, do their home repairs, seriously, etc. Hah!
It is important to gently but firmly, look them in the eye, and say no when these requests fall during your business hours. Remember, you took this step so you could be home with your family and keep your sanity!
Let your family and pets drive you insane but not others. Got it?
If you begin toying with your business hours to help out everyone who asks, you will find yourself compromising the time you have scheduled for your family. No way, baby.
I guarantee you that you will change your friends and favorite relatives to some extent, for the better.
By the way, no negative people are allowed to have your ear now. Only people filling you with happy, positive thoughts. Got it? Good
Be innovative, think outside the box, and do not be afraid to try something new. This is so important for you to understand. Your family time and home business work time balanced will surprise you at how good you can be.
This is especially true when it comes to marketing your new business! If, for example, you run a pet grooming business and if you own a dog, go ahead and dress the little canine up in a cute costume and then hand out flyers at the local park.
Would you really do this to your doggy?
You will come up with many ideas with, right, work and family balanced time.
Keep a notebook nearby you always. Ideas will come and will go quickly, and get lost, if not recorded to work on later. This is a powerful tip. Please heed it. I cost me thousands of dollars to learn this one point.
As I hope and pray you now see, running a meaningful home business depends on your ability to work at home undisturbed and with all the discipline that working for an employer previously demanded.
Your personal and life satisfaction will now increase dramatically. You like?
James M. Lowe writes original articles about home business opportunities.
What is the most effective way to deal with the anxiety that a home based business entrepreneur experiences? The quick answer is to realize that this is part of being a business owner and you will have to learn to live with it. The anxiety will not go away over night and you may be experiencing it for many years as you look at the profit and loss margins that occur with starting a business and moving to a place where it is stable and successful.
Many people are drawn to the idea of being self employed,and not having to work for a boss and also because they think that there are many freedoms with this type of business. They soon find out; however that this is not the case and they will actually be working long hard hours for a few years as they try to get their business on its feet. The difference in being self employed is that everything rests on your shoulders. When you were working for someone else, you had to deal with things you probably did not want to handle, but the entire weight of the financial success of the company was not your concern, now it is. You are now concerned if there will be enough profit to pay your employees, your vendors, and your bills.
Remember that simply because you are feeling pressure does not mean your business is going to fail. It simply means you are now in business for yourself and are facing the same pressures that all business owners experience at some time or another. Anxiety is a great motivator. You may wake up and not want to do any work, you would prefer to make an early round of golf, instead you realize that if you choose this option you will only be making it more difficult for yourself and you will lose money as opposed to making money. I would actually be concerned if you started a new business and had absolutely no fears at all, that is being arrogant and has a great chance of leading to failure.
There is a difference in being confident about your business venture and being arrogant. Arrogant is thinking nothing will go wrong and you do not have to make an effort or sweat over the financial affairs of your new business. So how do you deal with the pressure? Make sure you have a financial plan. Talk to those who are involved in your business and make sure everyone knows their goals. Talk about the risks and whether or not they are worth taking. Do not stick your head in the sand and pretend they do not exist, they do and you need to face them head on and when you do, you will be successful and your anxiety will lessen and will eventually go away.
Vincent Murphy can help you to find the best home based business ideas and money making
opportunities so you can work at home/Dealing with Pressure for the Home-based Business Entrepreneur visit:
http://www.HomeGrail.com
I admit it.
I’m a recovering workaholic/perfectionist, not to mention having delusions of superhero syndrome.
I know I’ll never be cured. But I can at least work on controlling it.
I also know I’m not alone. Plenty of entrepreneurs and small business owners suffer from this same condition. (In fact, it’s so prevalent I’m thinking about starting a recovery group for this.)
Do you suffer from workaholic/perfectionism/superhero syndrome? Take this short quiz to find out.
1. You think working all the time, including nights and weekends, is a sign of:
A. Success
B. Insanity
C. Just one of the sacrifices you have to make when you own your own business
2. Your to-do list resembles:
A. War and Peace (actually, War and Peace might be shorter)
B. No more then 5 tasks per day
C. It’s pretty long, but that’s okay. You know if you buckle down and REALLY focus, you can get everything done. (Of course, you never have, but that’s besides the point.)
3. The last time you took a vacation was:
A. Vacation? Who needs a vacation? Vacations are for wussies.
B. A couple of months ago and it was fabulous.
C. You’re too afraid to be gone for more then a couple of days, especially if you don’t have your laptop and can check in every day. What if something happens? A new client calls? You could lose the business. Or some crisis might come up and there wouldn’t be anyone to take care of it. It’s just too risky to leave, better to stick around.
4. You believe:
A. People who don’t work very hard yet still are making money are pretty lucky (and also pretty lazy).
B. Being successful also means having a life (and having time to enjoy it).
C. The only way to be successful is to work longer and harder then anyone else. (After all, when you’re not working you’re not making money. So how can you be successful if you’re not working?)
5. Taking time for yourself is:
A. A luxury for only rich (or lazy) people.
B. Something you make a priority each and every day.
C. Nice in theory but unrealistic in practice. After all, your clients have to come first. They’re the ones paying the bills.
Scoring: Well, let’s just say you know who you are.
As entrepreneurs and small business owners, I think one of our biggest challenges is balance. How much time to spend on our business? With our families? Ourselves? And how do we fit it all into the only 24 hours we have?
For me, this has been one of the most challenging lessons. I grew up in Wisconsin, the heart of workaholic-ism. That Midwest work ethic can put people into the ground faster than anything else out there, I think.
I grew up equating hard work with success — if you wanted to be successful, you better be prepared to work your tail off. So when I started my business, I immediately put that ethic into play. If I could get all my work done during the week, there must be something wrong. I must not have enough clients. And I must not be successful enough.
But when you combined my workaholic nature with my perfectionism, that’s when things started to get out of control. There was ALWAYS something I should be doing for my business. Therefore, it was difficult to justify taking ANY time off for myself. Worse yet, I had a little voice in the back of my mind that would say things like if I wasn’t working, then I’m being lazy or procrastinating or something.
And, since my husband grew up in the same state with the same work ethic, he supported my need to be working all the time. Plus, he worked equally as hard himself.
So what was the outcome of all this? I burned out.
My burnout took place in 2003. After I recovered, I realized I had to start doing things differently or I would end up right back where I was again (burned out and unable to help anyone, much less myself). And since I still wanted to help people and I was still passionate about marketing and copywriting, I realized I would have to learn how to run my business differently if I was going to stay in business.
That was really the catalyst for me to change both myself and my business. I had to change a lot of things, including my mindset. It also has made me realize I have to value taking time off for me. If I don’t value it, it won’t happen.
Basically it comes down to this — as entrepreneurs and small business owners, we are our business. Even if we have a team to support us (which I sincerely hope all of you do) how far we can grow and take our business ultimately rests on our shoulders. And if those shoulders are slumped over, exhausted from overwork and poor health and lack of sleep and loss of passion for what we do, then that’s going to ultimately affect how far our businesses will grow.
It’s that simple.
Michele PW (Michele Pariza Wacek) helps people boost business. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.michelepw.com.