I've worked from home for the last 27 years so I guess I am entitled to make some observations about how it works.
There are some critical issues that you would need to consider -
1. Discipline. Working from home means working - not staying. And the temptations for walking away from the work can be compelling. Kids come home with great news so that's a good reason. A movie on TV I want to see - well that's pretty compelling. How about when I'm not in the mood. You know - the words aren't flowing, the mind feels like porridge, there's no-one to see me. It's easy to simply find an excuse and justify it with a catch-up clause. I'll work later when everyone has gone to bed. I'll get up early. Yeah.
I work from home because I like the flexibility. I can take a break to listen to my kids - they are both away at university now - but I watched them grow up - and I got the chance to grow up with them. I can goof off if I feel like it - but you have to face the facts that the work has to get done. If you take time out for some other activity - you have to put it back. I smile when I read about all the guys who work in their pajamas at home - seemingly for the odd moment in between drinking coffee and goofing off. About how easy it all is. Garbage. If they are successful I'm pretty sure the reason why they are in their pajamas is because they haven't slept for 3 days and don't have time to change. I know there have been days when I've got to writing at 3am and been so busy that I'm still there as suppertime - dressed for bed. It's just been too busy to change.
2. Flexibility. Working from home allows enormous flexibility - often the cause of so many home business failures. I like to work a lot. If I worked in an office away from home I'd be frustrated. See - working from home allows me to go to my office when ever I want. I can watch my wife in the kitchen, listen to the TV in the den, stroll through to grab a cup of coffee and watch my wife painting - (you can see her stuff at http://www.veebauer.com). I can get up at night and go to work if something is buzzing in my brain. I can go to work at 3am and no one minds because I'm home when everyone else gets up. I can work late if I want and that's ok. But you will notice the word WORK a lot in my story. It's vital to make the flexibility work for you and help you increase your output - not tempt you away from the work to be done. 3. Organization. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to take over the rest of the home as office space. It usually starts on the dining room table - I may need to spread out some work so I can organize it. Then some goes through to the TV room because I'm going to proof read or catch up trading or sketch an outline while the
commercials play on the screen. Then I leave all that behind when I go back to my office to do something there. It's very easy to get buried when you work from home. So you either have to have a spouse who will shove you back in your hole occasionally - with all your stuff, or you end up lost. You have to stay organized - ( My wife wants to know how come I can't follow my own advice ...hmm)
4. Focus. You have to keep the faith. In spite of the distractions it is essential to keep the focus on output. You must be able to measure what you have done and how much closer to the end result you are. Sometimes it's easy to get confused between effort and results. We are taught to work hard and we will be rewarded. Perhaps one of the biggest lies told. Results come from the right work being done properly - not from effort. Don't get me wrong. Effort is necessary - but it doesn't stand alone. That means that busy work is to avoided at all times - and busy work is that stuff that needs to be done but doesn't move us towards the end result. It's often a convenient distraction from doing important stuff because it's easy, risk free and routine and maybe makes us feel good. Do that when the real work is finished. When the end result is closer than it was.
5. Loneliness. Working from home can easily create a feeling of being isolated. Guys go to work - talk about the game, customers, the boss, the secretary, the news and so one. Don't let them fool you that's its all work. There is a feeling of community in a public work environment. You don't have that at home. You are usually alone. Working. Alone. Worrying. Alone. You must be prepared for dealing with that.
And there are solutions. Maybe alone is ok for you. I think it's great. I can get on with stuff and no-one is poking his head into my office wanting to gab about something. But then my wife and kids think I'm a bit strange anyway and it's safer for the public if I don't go out. You can also maintain contact with others through the phone of visits if you feel the need to share. That's what the telephone is for -
Conclusion
Working from home is a life style - not really a work style. I don't commute in rush hour traffic, don't ever get home late for supper, see a lot of my family. I don't have to pay office and parking rentals and I get to be my own boss - and I'd never change it.
About the author:
Resource box. Kevin Bauer has worked from home for 27 years. To help you build your own home based business - get your copy of how to build a residual income working from home at http://www.grow-your-inco me.com You may reprint this article provided no changes are made and all links are included. A must join at: www.sfi.earn-2.com
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Submitted by Dr.Shoukath.ND
Make Money Affiliate: http://earn-2.com/index2.html
Let me start this discussion with a simple question. On the Internet why folks look for “Work At Home” or “Work From Home?” Reason may be countless. But what they are exactly looking?
“Job or Employment”
Yes, in-fact more than 80% of the folks are looking for jobs rather than biz. But this
Folks spend countless hours on the Internet searching for jobs. Obviously they don't find any job, because there is no job at all. But they find money making as well as biz opportunities; they join to such opportunities because it’s FREE. They don't read; they don't listen; they don't try to understand how the system works? They don't work. But they jump from program to program & biz to biz. They don't stay focused at a single point. They don't have long-term goals. But they live in the dream world counting million dollars!
In simple words majority of the “Work At Home” folks “Do Nothing & Expect Income.” There is one more chance that, they try to do too much! So at the beginning stage it would definitely cause for failure.
The one & only way to earn legal money on the Internet is to “sell a product” or “sell a service” Simple! But “work at home” folks realize this truth rarely & lately. By the time they realize this truth, they decide themselves “No, I can't sell anything on the Internet, I can't recruit anyone, Internet biz is no more fits to me, so I should quit this”.
An average of 40-60% folks decide so and run away from the Internet biz (sad truth for us) And they badmouth each & every programs or biz opportunity in which they have been involved.
Some time folks get attracted by “Do Nothing & Get Rich Schemes” (Scams!) If they have money they will throw it on these types of programs. “That's the END of Work At Home!”
So in Internet language, ”Work At Home” doesn't mean that “job” or “Employment”. It means business, but it has to be done like a job! Consistence, Persistence, Patience, Talent & Intelligence is important to have success on “Work At Home” programs on the Internet. And finally it's also matter of L-U-C-K
I personally wasted about six months to find a perfect “Work At Home Business” I tried all types of “Affiliate Programs”, “Network Marketing” “MLM”, “Get Paid To...” “Secret Agent (?)”, “Data Entry Scams” and more! I'm glad to say that I did not loss much money. Anyway finally I managed to find a best “Internet Based Home Business”. I don't know how to make Five Figure Six Figure or Seven Figure Income per month. But I know how to make a comfortable living on the Internet.
Can't you make money on the Internet? Don't Worry. At least you can have million dollars of Information & Knowledge on the Internet for FREE!
Conclusion:
As per search engine suggestion tool, the term “Work At Home” may not be loosing its popularity. But the term is obviously loosing it's meaning.
Hundreds of Thousands of folks are entering into the
Let's wait and see!!
About the Author
Mahesh Bhat is Freelance Writer, Online Marketer and Web Master of http://info-diet.com To start your own Internet Based Home Business Please Visit: http://info-diet.com/Sections-req-viewarticle-artid-15.html
A must join at: www.sfi.earn-2.com
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Submitted by Dr.Shoukath.ND
Make Money Affiliate: http://earn-2.com/index2.html
Have you ever thought about the fact that most people with a "home" business probably spend more time outside their home working their business, than actually being at home?
With the exception of certain types of home based businesses, most, whether in businesses of the traditional variety, such as real estate agents, mortgage brokers, etc., or network marketers, spend a great deal of time outside the home in an effort to build and maintain their businesses.
When it comes to network marketing the number one activity that takes place outside the home is probably the classic hotel and/or conference room meeting where people gather at least once a week to bring prospects to hear their company's business presentation.
Of course, industry veterans know that these meetings often turn into mere social gatherings, because the same people (representatives who are already in the business) usually keep showing up week after week, as opposed to the new prospects who are supposed to be getting into the business.
Many home business owners routinely meet prospects at the prospects' homes or offices, or have the prospect come to them in order to conduct a business presentation.
Yet another popular practice is to take your prospect to lunch or dinner to discuss your business proposal over a meal. Prospects often love it, because they get a free meal, usually with no obligation to join you in your business.
For some types of high dollar transactions, as in the type of business that is often conducted among larger businesses and organizations, taking your prospective customer, client, or new business partner out on the town may be justifiable. However, especially if you are involved in network marketing, the amount that you stand to make up front if a new prospect signs up may range from as little as nothing, to perhaps a few hundred dollars.
For example's sake, lets say that you are with a company where at your level in their compensation plan you earn $100 each time someone new comes into your business and qualifies for whatever your initial product/service purchase requirements are. As always, it is the consumption of the product that you are being paid for.
And let's say that for every 10 prospects you take to lunch 1 prospect typically signs up. Again, this is for example's sake, as your actual closing rate may be higher. However, especially for someone new, it's reasonable to assume that he or she may sign up as few as 1 prospect out of every 10.
Let's further assume an average lunch bill of $25. Again, this is being very conservative, as a typical lunch even for two can easily be higher.
Ok, let's do the math. You take 10 prospects to lunch at $25 each, and 1 signs up in your business, which earns you an up-front commission (when your check comes) of $100. $25 x 10 = $250 so you are now at a loss of $150 for your efforts. That's not including gas money, wear and tear on your car, or any sales aids or samples that you may have also given away to each prospect. So, conservatively, at this rate you're going to LOSE AT LEAST $150 for each and every person you bring into your business!
Again, your closing rate may be higher than 1 out of 10, and your initial compensation may be higher, perhaps even by hundreds of dollars. However, if you are like 9 out of 10 typical home business people or network marketers, the numbers above are probably very realistic. Many network marketing compensation plans pay considerably less than $100 in up-front money.
If you are doing hotel conference room meetings then your cost may be lower as you, along with all other representatives attending, are likely sharing in the expense of the room and facilities.
The above examples assume that you are working with prospects and/or representatives who are in your immediate local vicinity. Many network marketers travel out of town to grow their businesses. Sometimes this may be to sign up a new prospect. However, typically it is to provide support and assistance to new out of town people who have come into your organization. One thing that you'll quickly learn as you grow your business is that even if you only recruit and sponsor people locally, because they will have friends and family in other states and perhaps even other countries, it won't be long before any organization of any size is spread out quite far geographically.
Almost every industry or network marketing company also holds at least one annual company event or meeting, which all representatives are encouraged to attend. These events require yet more expense, time away from your main occupation (unless you are working your business fulltime), and even time away from your primary business. Sometimes you'll recruit someone along the way using the old "3-Foot Rule," (prospect anyone who gets within 3
feet of you) which is absolutely NOT one of the methods advocated here on ABCIncome.com. But otherwise, when you attend company functions you usually do so at the expense of taking time away from the activities that are actively making you money.
It can be true that you will gain enough new information and insight into your business that what you learn at these company functions can help you build your business even better, but seldom can you count on such an even to guarantee dollars into your bank account. Over the years I've watched countless people spend money they didn't have in their budgets in order to attend such events. That's because most such events cost you money, as opposed to making you money.
There is nothing wrong with company conventions, seminars, etc., as long as you can readily afford it, enjoy it, and, most importantly, can afford to pay for it out of PROFIT! If your business isn't making you enough money to pay for such a trip then wait until it does, unless you are already in a position to easily and comfortably afford the trip out of your existing budget (most likely from the income from your day job).
Not to digress too far away from the main theme of this article, but key rules to always remember in your business are to grow your business out of profit, spend as little money as possible on things that don't make you money, and what money you do spend try to invest wisely in those things that will make you money.
Lastly, be reasonable about how many functions you attend. Some groups of network marketers (usually not an official company sanctioned position) encourage or even demand their representatives to attend pep talks and rallies as often as once a month or more. Follow the guidelines already mentioned above: Can you afford it, and what impact will attending that function have on your business? Is it costing you money or making you money?
Returning to our original theme, even if you can afford activities like those just discussed above, do you want to spend that much time away from your home and family? Many people find that they are out and about so much, traveling to work with out of town groups, and attending functions, that they are tired and barely recover after returning from one before they are off to the next.
Even if your efforts are profitable the above methods can be among the least efficient ways of building a business. That's not to say it can't or doesn't work, many have built organizations of thousands that way, including me (in years past, as I use better and more efficient methods today). But ask yourself, if you could build an organization just as, if not more, effectively while still being able to spend as much time at home with your family as you would like, wouldn't that be better?
Sure, you can always take people to lunch, dinner, and travel, to socialize, but, especially with all of the tools that you now have at your disposal such as the telephone, conference lines, Internet, fax, etc., it simply isn't necessary to do so in order to build a successful and profitable business.
There are some people who just love and enjoy always being on the go, or socializing, etc. There too such things become a matter of personal preference. I know people, for instance, who, especially in years past before online bill pay, etc., love to pay almost all of their bills in person. For a stay at home parent, or someone not working fulltime, or a retired person, etc., they often view it as a way to get out of the house and keep active. However, if you employ the kinds of training and techniques that are available to allow you to build a growing, successful, and profitable business, right from the comfort of your own home, you will be busy with so many new prospects and representatives that you are unlikely to get bored sitting around home with nothing to do!
So, if you're happy with the way in which you are currently growing your business, which may include some of the methods above, that's fine. Some people still enjoy building their businesses in the traditional way, in person, one person or a few at a time. However, if you would like to learn more about some of the things that you can change, and techniques that you can employ, in order to start growing your business effectively right from home, then please take a look at the programs that we offer on ABCIncome.com. They allow you to achieve better results, faster, than using any of the less efficient methods mentioned above.
About the author:
GRPMAX, L.L.C. was founded by CEO Phil Covington in 1979 and is the parent company of ABCIncome.Com. GRPMAX specializes in developing Uniquely Innovative Technologies & Solutions™ and has worked with clients ranging from small business, to government, to the Fortune 500.
A must join at: www.sfi.earn-2.com
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Submitted by Dr.Shoukath.ND
Make Money Affiliate: http://earn-2.com/index2.html
Bargain mortgage rate shoppers are on a refinancing spree. Many have secured unbelievably great deals. Others have gotten caught up in the frenzy and got the short end of the stick. How can you refinance your home without getting burned?
Last week mortgage application reports indicated that homeowners went on another home loan refinancing spree. Some of the reasons were the long-term impact of the Fed recent rate cut. As mortgage rates declined below 6% homeowners responded to the rate cut sensation with a surge in refinance applications.
Another reason for the refinance wave is the demand for cash. In recent months experts predicted that consumers would put up to $110 billion dollars in spending money back into the economy this shopping season following the ongoing refinancing wave. Using the web as a discount vehicle for commerce consumers have been looking for rare deals in merchandise, investment programs and home loan refinancing in order to pocket cash.
The Mortgage Loan Search Network reports increased use of its financial resources for financing and home loan refinancing. Traffic has increased 33% as user take advantage of mid-term hybrid mortgage loans that allow the consumer to pocket both cash and well as save money for investment purposes such as retirement savings, college savings or to pay down high interest rate debt.
There are many useful sites offering tools tips and guides to finding the best deal on refinance loan rate. The key to successfully
locating a realistically low mortgage rate quote is making use of lending marketplaces. These marketplaces are like highly competitive auction houses. Lenders seek to win the users business by offering competitive rates, fees and incentives. The user first needs to figure out what rate level they best qualify for. How to get around various loan fees and added costs as well as how to make several lenders compete for your business.
There are a number of helpful consumer oriented financial resources that can help you understand the lending process from the consumers perspective. Once such site is RefinanceLoanRates.com at http://www.refinanceloanrates.com. Consumers looking for free local home mortgage rate quotes, rate comparison tools, tips and news on refinancing at today's competitive rates and lowest loan costs can access local lenders across while narrowing down options of thousands of loan programs at low rates and loan costs.
Consumers should consult their mortgage professional to find out if these programs will work best for them. Loan rate shoppers seeking low rates for refinancing or home buying should not delay preparing to lock-in rates at today's lows.
About the Author
Mark Askew is founder and editor of the Mortgage Loan Search Network. An extensive financing and refinancing resource with tips and guides for rate comparison, establishing and repairing credit, lowering interest rate charges and monthly paymets and finding bargain loan deal online. Recommend: Make Money Affiliate
Submitted by Dr.Shoukath.ND
Make Money Affiliate: http://earn-2.com/index2.html
Here's what I have to go through almost everyday.
In the middle of any kind of projects, be it just trying to write articles or making the details of my downlines' total points -- suddenly my four months baby is crying painfully. Turns out, her 4-years-old sister is showing her outrageous affection by pulling the baby's hair! She said, "But, there's dirt in her head, mom!"
This is the kind of situation that needed my immediate attention. By attention I mean, breastfeeding the baby -- usually takes 15 to 20 minutes while trying to explain to my older daughter about her wrong action (learning html is much more easier than having to have an argument with a toddler!).
One job done? Well, not exactly.
Still can't go back to my computer because then the big sister wants to go to the bathroom. And 10 minutes after that, my mom came and reported that the washing machine is broken! So the next 20 minutes I'm trying hard to be a mechanic -- but fail successfully -- and then suddenly remembers that I haven't prepared any lunch.
An hour has passed. The ideas that were previously in my head -- following me wherever I go and whatever I do, has gone. Laziness and tiredness are starting to come.
And that's just the typical day in a work at home mom's life ;-)
Try and search the internet about time management, working at home articles, sharing experiences with other stay at home moms. And you too will find out that working at home is just as challenging as working at the office.
Have you ever try making plans such as when to work, when to cook, when to breastfed the baby or basically do everything without any disturbances? Most of the other work at home moms will tell me the same thing. The plan will barely work.
So, what should we do then?
Me, I chose to just go
ahead and work according to the house chores schedule.
I know that my ideas will often be disturbed by my baby's crying or the time to prepare meals. That's okay because I chose to be a wahm and felt that I already have many advantages with this choice. Not, that I never complain or lose a temper...nope, my husband will tell you exactly ;-)
But what I can do right now is just being grateful for the choice that I have -- working at home and just try to do the best with the so called spare time I have. If I have to do the articles at 2 o'clock in the morning, so be it. The important thing is, my Editor-in-chief will received the translations at the time she opens her email the next morning.
If I have to stop my blogwalking because I need to breastfed my baby or my daughter wants to play barbie or nickjr.com, then that's what I would do.
Also, I found that I can only do one thing at a time. Whether it's for answering emails, updating my blogs, blogwalking or writing articles - one thing at a time.
I love to make use of the spare times I have like when I'm waiting for my little girl at school. Typing the ideas in my laptop while waiting in the car or read all the great articles I printed from the internet.
Well, this is the theory, won't be easy though.
But, having that thankful attitude is all that it takes to make it easier. My rewards so far includes being the first person to hear my babies' first word or a kiss from hubby for a wonderful dinner -- while checking out my monthly commissions of course ;-)
About the author:
a work at home mom whose line of business includes bel'air aromatherapy network marketing, asian brain internet marketing center and runs the very first weblog for work at home Indonesian moms, http:// www.BundaInBiz.com
Recommend: Make Money Affiliate
Submitted by Dr.Shoukath.ND
Have you ever wished that you could work from home? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 19 million people worked from home (either part-time or full-time) in 2001. It’s a growing trend in our society with the number steadily rising as many people are leaving the workplace in favor of a work-at-home career.
There are four main ways to make working from home possible:
1.Telecommute for your current employer – Many employers are beginning to see the benefits of allowing their employees to work from home. If you have a job that would be possible to do from home ask your employer to consider it. More and more employers are allowing employees to telecommute. This is an easy way to work from home while maintaining the security of a stable career. You must realize, though, that working from home may limit you in terms of advancing in your company. It’s important to think through the sacrifices that you may need to make in your situation to work from home.
2.Telecommute as an independent contractor – There are many companies that hire independent contractors to do work such as data entry, transcription and customer service from home. This can be an incredible opportunity as long as you’re willing to keep track of your own taxes and aren’t relying on the employer for insurance and other perks
There are many benefits to the company also, such as lower wages, not needing to provide insurance, or being able to offer a commission based position. The company may also choose to hire home workers so that they do not need to pay for space to house an office full of employees.
3.Own a direct sales/MLM home-based business – Many times these types of home-based businesses are overlooked, but they truly can bring an income and allow you to work from home. However, doing your research before joining a company is very important. Look for representatives of the company to speak with and, if possible, try to find someone who has been a representative for the company, but is no longer. They may be able to share some of the negative aspects of the business with you.
Also check with the Better Business Bureau and make sure that the
company that you are considering has a good reputation. You can also go to websites such as CWAHM.com and sign up to speak with current work at home moms (CWAHD.com for dads) who can answer your questions about owning a home-based direct sales/MLM business.
4.Begin your own home-based business – It can seem overwhelming to start your own business, but if you start small and have a good business plan it can be a very rewarding decision. You are able to be your own boss, have a very flexible schedule and work only when it is convenient for you.
When considering beginning your own business, make sure that you have found a niche that will allow you to serve customers that no one else is serving. When I began searching for a way to work from home, I spent time researching the different work at home websites available and realized that there was not a place for Christians to network and help one another work from home. I filled this niche with my website, CWAHM.com, and the response has been amazing. If you take your time and find a niche or unique product, you will have a much higher chance at success.
If you decide to begin your own business, you must also check your state and city about zoning laws, licensure requirements, etc. Contact an accountant to find out what percentage of sales you need to set aside for taxes as well as whether or not you’ll need to make quarterly tax payments.
Working from home is a big commitment and it can take some time to get started. It’s important to take the time to research what type of at-home position will work best for you. If you would like to telecommute, speak with your employer to see if it is a possibility. If you are looking into a home-based business, speak with others from the company or find a niche that you can fill with your own business. Working from home can be a rewarding choice and it IS possible.
About the Author
Jill Hart is the founder and editor of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com, and the author of the e-book, The Two Week Devotional Journey for Christian Work at Home Moms. E-mail Jill at jill@cwahm.com for additional information or stop by her site at www.cwahm.com.
Recommend: Make Money Affiliate
Submitted by Dr.Shoukath.ND
Make Money Affiliate: http://earn-2.com/index2.html
Have you been looking for a way to earn significant monthly income working from home? So have I. I‘ve actually spent hours searching for a reputable home-based business opportunity that is simple to implement and doesn‘t cost an arm and a leg. And amidst the dizzying array of possibilities, I finally found what I was looking for. I listed some specific criteria a business had to meet before I would consider joining it and promoting it. This eliminated most home business plans, and all of those that are scams. I came up with “six core principles” I was unwilling to compromise.
1. The business had to have a good reputation with a proven track record of success.
2. The earnings plan had to be simple and uncomplicated.
3. My investment had to be less than $20.
4. I had to be confident I could earn at least $4000 a month within 6 months.
5. I was not willing to sell a product or process orders for a product.
6. I had to feel very confident I could eventually earn a lot more through residual (ongoing) income while spending no more than 2-3 hours a day at my computer.
7. I had to know I would not be taking advantage of other people by pushing an idea on them for the sole sake of getting something for myself. I know who I am. I cannot feel good about myself unless what I do helps other people in some way, in this case helping them solve their own financial problems.
If these criteria meet your expectations then I urge you to take a serious look at the work-at-home opportunity presented by Global Domains International. It meets all of my criteria and more. It doesn’t even cost the $20 monthly minimum I felt I could invest.
Take just a few minutes of your time and go to www.my.ws. Enter dvdmr in the access code box and everything will be explained to you. Don’t put this off. Believe me when I say that every second delayed is a loss of potential income that can give you the financial security you are seeking.
Look at it this way. You can put $10 a month in savings for 5 years and at the end of that time you will have earned $600 plus some interest. Invest that same amount in Global Domains and you'll make more than that a month....and a lot more with a little extra effort. And if after a 7-day FREE trial period you decide it's not for you, you lose nothing.
So the decision is yours. Sit back and relax while you're savings account earns pennies, or spend a couple of hours every day or so at your computer working as a Global Domains affiliate. What I am offering you is a solid business opportunity, and while it won’t go away, as time passes the wealth it generates will become more and more difficult to access as the internet generation comes of age. So don’t let it pass you by without getting your share of the profits. If you have any questions, e-mail me at dvdmr11@msn.com or call and ask for Dave at 417.848.5099. May God’s grace lead you as you discover the answer to your financial needs.
About the Author
About the Author: completed post graduate programs in both Cross Cultural Communications and Higher Education Administration. He believes strongly that the application of all self-generated wealth must include a provision for giving back to the commmunity, the church, and other worthy causes. If you would like more information on his online business, please visit his website at: DavidMoore.ws Recommend: Make Money Affiliate
Submitted by Dr.Shoukath.ND
Make Money Affiliate: http://earn-2.com/index2.html
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