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Avoid Home Business Mistakes
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Article 6: Time Management No-Nos
Even if you do everything else correctly, as a home business operator, even small mistakes in time management can potentially wipe out all advantages you may have gained.
“Let family, friends and neighbors know that your home office schedule is just as important as if you were at an office far, far away,” advises Gene Fairbrother, a micro-business consultant for the National Association of Self-Employed (NASE). “Especially family. While one of the joys of working out of the home is being with family, don’t make the mistake of not separating the two and letting your family know that there are times when your work will have to take precedence.”
As a home business owner, you can replace just about any asset you lose or spend unwisely – equipment, clients, supplies, even cash. But the one asset you cannot replace is your time. Once it’s gone, say goodbye to it forever. You should learn to manage your priceless time every bit as tightly as your money.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that because you work out of your home you’re on the job 24 hours a day. When the work day doesn’t appear to end, you may be inclined to put off tasks. But your energy level will not last around the clock. Set firm office hours that you regularly adhere to. Then you’ll know when you’re working “overtime,” and you’ll be more disciplined to get things done within “working hours.”
Fairbrother also recommends that you don’t eliminate outside contacts with people. Isolation can be a morale killer, and people are meant to have other people in their lives.
Nevertheless it can be easy to shun contact by excusing away the effort it takes to bring you face-to-face with others. There is always some work that can be done or some deadline to work toward. But eliminating people from your daily regimen will take its toll over time.
Therefore, just as you would if you were working in an office (actually, you are working in an office, aren’t you?), keep stimulated by meeting others for lunch. Become a member of the local chamber of commerce or some industry group to bring you into regular contact with people who share something in common.
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