5 Steps to Successfully Work From Home

Working from home can be quite the challenge if you don’t take the steps necessary to make it work. Step 1: Set Your Weekly Work Schedule When working from home decide whether you are going to be full-time or part-time, and then schedule your hours accordingly. The best practice is treating it like your regular 9-5. For example, if you sell makeup and or beauty products out of your home, you should start cold calling at nine in the morning and marketing via social media. Just because you work from home does not mean you don’t have to treat it like a normal job. You should set aside time to promote your business, to complete book-keeping, to create marketing strategies, and to follow-up with previous customers. It is true, that most people choose to work from home to get away from the strict structure of a 9-5, but until your business is up and running successfully, in the beginning you must dedicate more time to growing it. Step 2: Get Dressed For Work Hopefully, if you have decided to work from home, you have a home office. When you wake up in the morning to go into your home office, dress as if you were going to work, this will help you have a more productive morning and day. Also, if your business requires you to meet with client’s throughout the day, you will already be dressed for the occasion. Step 3: Avoid Distractions If you have set your work schedule, stick to it. Don’t let family and friends distract you, let them know what hours you have designated to your business. If you are marketing your business via social media, do not get distracted on unrelated post; stay focused on your objective. If you are a stay-at-home-mom, schedule your work hours for times when the kids are at school. If you have younger children that are not school-aged, create a play area within your home office that will keep them occupied without distracting you. Also, as a stay-at-home-mom it is a good practice to not mix business with housework. If you must complete housework set aside a separate time from your business hours. In order, to have a more productive workday you should eliminate as many distractions as possible. Step 4: Create a Work Environment If possible, create a home office. Not only is it a tax write-off, it helps the productivity of your business. Your office should be equipped with all the things you need to have a successful home-based business. A desk, computer, printer, and phone are must-haves for a home-based office. Step 5: Stay Organized and Be Consistent It is important to keep your work area organized. Maintain and keep an up-to-date daily planner. Keep track of your incoming and outgoing operational expenses. Most importantly, if you have found a successful technique continue to incorporate it.

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