If your goal is to have your own business and work from home, there are six “B”s that Jobacle thinks you need to incorporate into your way of life to be successful. Here they are:
Be Passionate
Passion is the most important thing you need when you start out on your business venture. Be passionate about making money, be passionate about being your own boss, be passionate about taking off on your own, and, best of all, be passionate about the job you are going to do. While you’ve probably spent your entire life simply being satisfied with your work, you now need to become excited and thrilled. Getting up in the morning should be a pleasure rather than a task. This can be accomplished by choosing a job that you actually like and working to keep your attitude up-beat.
Be a Planner
You can’t just jump blindly in the world of working for yourself. Owning your own business takes plenty of fore-thought and you should learn to plan for even the most unusual circumstances. Before you give up your day job to start working at home, write out a game plan. If you’re not great at planning, get together with some good friends or close family members who could give you insight. Not only will this prepare you to start your own business, but it will also give you planning practice which will help your work life.
Be Frugal
Just because you’re going to work as a freelance writer does not mean you need to go buy a new laptop, printer, scanner, and fax machine. The beat-up laptop you grabbed at the church yard sale will work just fine. Plan to start small and to use very little money. There will be plenty of time for spending the big bucks when you’re actually bringing in the big bucks!
Be Organized
Keep the things you need for your work separate from the things you use personally. Carefully arrange all of your tax information along with receipts, agreements, and important documents. A filing cabinet is a definite must.
Be Your Own Boss
Just because you’re working on your own doesn’t mean you should give yourself permission to laze in bed until noon. When you’re working for yourself you have to learn to be your own boss. Give yourself set times for work and don’t skip for an extra hour of sleep; set goals for yourself and stick with them; reward yourself for work well done.
Be Focused
Remember how you’re supposed to serve your clients and the role that it plays in your life. Writing out your own business mission statement is a good way to get started. Write it when you start your self-owned business career and then when you’re down or feel uninspired, revisit it to help you refocus. It will help motivate you.
Know of any other “B”s to added to the list? What tips do you have for self-employed individuals?
Thanks to Jobacle for these tips.
You’re forgetting one of the most important items: “Be Motivated.”
Too many people forget that necessity is the mother of invention. I’ve built several companies from home while I’ve stayed home to educate my children.
When you’ve got bills to pay and mouths to feed, you’re motivated in ways that “passion” can never provide.
Jeremiah, very good point! Thank you for sharing.