Rest When You Need To

Sometimes when you feel yourself becoming over emotional it's time to take a step back and get some rest. Business will always be demanding; but in order to be productive one must be focused! If you don't get your required amount of rest, it is impossible to be creative and think through the important decisions that need to be made. You'll find yourself being cranky at the wrong people and doing the wrong things. One wrong move can push thousands of customers and potential clients away from your business. Because news travels, and when someone mentions your business you want the headline to read something positive. Now don't get me wrong I know people who will lie on you because they are jealous, and you can't do anything about that! But the thing that you can control is your attitude, and you want to make sure that you display professionalism at all times. So when you feel yourself losing control, take a step back and get you some zzzzzz!

This is a New Year, make a change!

This is a New Year; and for most of us we faced some pretty hard challenges in 2011. It's time for something fresh, and something new. It's time to make necessary changes; things that have been put off that should have been done. It's time to reassess where you are and where you want to go in 2012. No more holding on to the past...but letting old things go, and looking straight ahead for opportunities and people that will enrich your life. It's time to make a change!

Your God Given Ability

Everyone has an ability that God has given them (a gift) that they do very well. Look within, and find that ability, that gift; the thing that is in you that comes out when you are not even trying. It could be a gift of administration, singing, writing, talking, managing finances, etc. Whatever that ability is, that may be the direction that you need to search in. Don't be afraid to acknowledge that maybe where you are right now, is not the place where you should be. Many times we choose to move into jobs and positions that don't line up with our natural talents and abilities; and when we fail we become disappointed.
At one point or another there comes a time when we have to assess what is important to us and how we spend our time... You have to ask yourself some hard questions "Is how I'm spending my time benefiting me and my family? Is what I'm doing of any value? Am I happy; and am I doing the thing that was preordained for me to do before the foundations of the world?" If the answer is a resounding no, then it's time to make some hard decisions; the kind of decisions that will cause you to analyze where you are, and where you want to be.

Working From Home as a Contractor

I always say that working from home is truly what adults do. Because these are the types of people who can work without being told, and do what they are supposed to do without being asked. Not everyone can handle this type of responsibility. Some people look for people to give them instructions for their every move; but people who work from home have to be proactive and aggressive in making decisions. They trouble shoot and resolves issues on their own, and look for ways to do their jobs better. Make an adult move...work from home!

Every Business Needs Best Practices

Any business owner that want's to succeed should have best practices. It is very important to have standards in place so that everyone will be on the same page as you progress. It's nothing like running a business with people not knowing their responsibilities. When best practices are established, it develops an atmosphere of order. And order helps your organization to run efficiently.

No-one in your organization should be clue less when it comes to their everyday functions. If you create best practices for everyone to function by, it will clear up a lot of misunderstandings before they happen.

However, the flip side of having a misunderstanding is an opportunity to create an additional best practice to clear up the misunderstanding. Creating best practices will be an ongoing project as the business evolves and grows. Some of the best practices that you implement in the beginning could possibly change in a few years due to the direction of the business. This is a good thing; because anything that stays the same and that is not adjusted will become stale; so change and adjustment show's growth.

Remember, if you don't have a plan; then you're planning to fell!

How important is Marketing?

Marketing is one of the most important things that you can do in order to grow your business. One of the most beneficial ways to market is through word of mouth. People will spread the word about their experience without even being asked. Whether it’s good or bad people love to share information. Networking is also another beneficial way to share your business. Being around people who have businesses of their own, or who are looking to get involved in a business will also help you to grow. You can even learn several best practices that other people use just by networking.

 Fliers and ads are also another great way to market your business. It's important to get the word out about what you are doing; you can't grow in silence. Post your information as often as possible. Research the free advertising boards that are available to make yourself visible. Trust me, someone wants what you have, but you have to put it in a place where it can be found.

The message here is share what you have through every open avenue. It’s your business, and you are responsible for its growth, so do what you can to get the word out!

Thinking of Creating Your Own Home Based Business

So many of us dream of the day when we will have our own business. Never to report to anyone, never having a boss over us and the list goes on and on. But having a business is a huge responsibility because there are many things that you are responsible for doing.

First and foremost, every business has to have a direction. This means that every business needs a business plan, a mission statement, and a vision statement. These documents have to be in place so that the business owner will stay focused and move in the right direction as the business evolves.

Then there are organizational or corporation documents that have to be supplied to the state and different agencies in order to be compliant as a business. Companies like Legal Zoom.com and BizFilings.com can help with that. Depending on the type of business, you'll also have to think of the marketing techniques that you will use in order to get the word out about your business. Your marketing technique is a huge asset to the growth of your business.

Most people think that when they have their own business, that they will have more leisure time; that's not always the scenario. In fact, sometimes you will find yourself working more hours, and all 7 days of the week depending on the business; especially in the beginning stages because you're trying to get things in order. Don't get me wrong, there will be leisure moments, but if you're serious about your business, you won't take too many in the beginning stages.

Having your own business is an enjoyable experience; but it's work if you plan on being successful. The old saying goes like this, “If you put something into it, you'll get something out of it".