Staying Sane in a Home Business - An "Overload" Rescue Plan
At last, you have achieved your dream. You've escaped the
traditional, away from home work force and are now
self-employed.
There you sit, in your spiffy new office - whether it's in the
corner of the sitting room or in a converted bedroom - surrounded
by your equally spiffy new toys...your computer, desk and some
strategically placed shelves.
Your new multi-function center will print stuff, fax stuff and
copy stuff. (It won't hang out the washing, but hey, you can't
have everything.)
You've even got work coming-in and the immediate worry about
making a living has vanished. Hooray! You really *can* work from
home!
At first, working at home is pure bliss. Then you get a week when
everybody and their dog seems to want your services. After
putting in a few late nights, you meet all the deadlines and
think; phew...I'm glad that's over! You decide to relax and give
yourself a day off. After all, you worked all through the weekend
and earned it, right?
Unfortunately, the following week you find yourself off to a bad
start trying to make-up for your day off. Before you know it, you
find that you're dropping further and further behind. You reflect
gloomily that when you were working for someone else, at least at
the end of the day you were finished...what didn't get done
didn't get done!
Well, it's time to take heart and set a few simple strategies in
place that will keep you in control of your time...and your
sanity.
=== 1. Do NOT Accept Any New Work This Week. ===
Take a good look at what you have on your plate now, and
carefully plan the week ahead. Your aim is to regain control.
Tell new clients that you are fully booked, but you can put them
on a priority list to be phoned next week. (This will not only
allow you to catch up, but make your services appear highly in
demand.)
=== 2. Build In Time For Leisure and Rest. ===
Not only for this week, but EVERY week. A half hour walk; a
twenty-minute break in the sun with a cup of coffee; a quick swim
or a movie outing with friends - all these activities can
recharge your batteries. You will find that you can achieve far
more when you are rested and alert. (How many times have you sat
at the computer staring at the screen, achieving very little,
because you're over-tired?)
=== 3. Tackle Urgent Tasks First. ===
If you're behind, your first step must be to contact all clients
and arrange firm new deadlines. Make sure you base these new
deadlines on what you CAN achieve, not what you HOPE you can
achieve. If any existing client needs your services or products
urgently, bump them up the queue.
=== 4. Prioritize Remaining Tasks. ===
Scrap anything that is not essential, and delegate what you can.
Consider involving family, business associates or friends to
handle some tasks. (Warning: do not hand over tasks that must be
carried out only by you as the principal of the business. Your
reputation is important.)
=== 5. Set Achievable Daily Goals. ===
If you finish a task ahead of schedule, begin the next... but
adhere to a definite cut-off time each day. What you are doing
this week is establishing a system that will continue to work for
you.
Getting out of trouble when your business is in overload is just
like getting out of debt. Your business rating is similar to your
credit rating - nothing can be gained by denying that a problem
exists. Nothing can be gained by slipping deeper into the mire.
Call a halt; contact the main players; set workable strategies in
place and you can quickly regroup.
Before you know it, your home business dream will be on track
once more.
Author
George Whitecraft
http://whitecraftshoppingmarketing.biz/info/l/tbp
http://whitecraftshoppingmarketing.biz/info/l/pba
posted by George @ 2:40 PM
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