Even though many find working from home extremely desirable and consider it to be an excellent opportunity to set your own terms and pace, the reality of things is somewhat different. While working from home certainly has some benefits it can easily hinder your business efforts if you fail to approach it from the right angle and set some boundaries early on.
Arguably, one can even say that women working from home have it a bit more difficult than men. Not only have women managed to enter the business scene relatively recently but they are still faced with numerous struggles. That being said, let’s see how you can master working from home as a true boss lady and make all the circumstances work in your favor.
Know what you’re doing
To start off a successful business and make your way towards turning it into a lucrative career, you first need to determine what type of business is best suited for you. That’s why you should focus on conducting thorough research of both the market and your potential competitors. This way, you will be able to identify if there’s enough space in the market for your business idea. If so, you can start researching your competition to better understand what you need to pay attention to. If not, thorough market research about work-from-home companies may inspire you to alter your current business idea a bit so that it fits both the market’s needs and your personal preferences..
Know why you’re doing it
Furthermore, you also need to ask yourself why you want to start your own business. Unless you have a clear answer a valid reason, starting a business might not be the best idea. Simply put, if you know why you want to do the things you’ve set your mind to, it will be easier for you to stay focused on achieving your goals. If, for instance, you’re looking to fill a void you’ve noticed in the current business market and you feel like your business is the answer to people’s needs, staying motivated and determined will be much easier. On the other hand, if you’re not quite sure why you want to start your business, chances are you will lose motivation and give up the second things become stressful and challenging.
Define your work hours
As mentioned, working from home can truly be a great thing if you manage to set some boundaries early on. There are two most common reasons people working from home fail to reach success. They either work too much or not enough. Needless to say, none of the two variations is a good way to go. If you take on too much work and fail to clearly define your working hours – and actually stick to them, you risk of hitting the burnout faze very quickly. Alternatively, if you’re not working as much as you should, how do you expect to reach any success?
Ensure everyone’s on the same page
Next, when working from home, you will have to schedule a meeting with your housemates and make it clear to everyone that just because you are home doesn’t mean that you’re not busy. And while this may sound a bit trivial in the beginning, it really is very important. That’s why you need to ensure that everyone around you is on the same page as you are and that they fully understand and respect your work schedule. Otherwise, distractions can easily hinder your productivity which is not something any business person should allow to happen.
Have the right tools
You will want a decent computer that is not over two years old. The old one that you have been letting your children play games on won’t do for your work. A fast processor is a must. Laptops are a good choice if you need to go to meetings and do presentations. At least 8 GB RAM and a 256 or high GB SSD. A second monitor will make work easier. You might want to get a headset with a mic if you will be doing online meetings. Lastly, you will need internet, the faster the better. Check out providers in your area by searching terms like “las vegas internet providers” or by checking comparison sites. Remember that you can only go as fast as your slowest component. That will depend on your computer processing speed and your internet connection.
Organize your working environment
Your work environment also plays a crucial role in your business’s success. If your working environment is your living room couch and your kids are sitting next to you and watching TV, you might as well say goodbye to your success right then and there. You should avoid cluttered areas considering your working environment. A visual mess can easily lead to stress and hinder productivity. That’s why you need to organize your working space and have it aid you in your business efforts.
Create an inspiring home office
Ideally, if you’re working from home, you should try to put together a home office that will boost your productivity and keep you motivated. This doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, nor does it have to be a room with four walls. You can simply find a quiet little nook in your home and organize and decorate it in an inspiring way. Be careful when considering the colors you want to be featured in this space. Too vibrant – and you will constantly feel nervous and on the edge; too cool-toned, and you can easily end up feeling too relaxed and sleepy most of the time. When it comes to the design of the space, go for anything and everything you find to be motivating. And, of course, don’t forget to add some greenery to the space. Potted plants, especially plants that are considered to bring good luck, will hugely positively affect your mental state and overall well-being.
Get the right type of support
Being a lady in a world predominantly run by men is difficult as it is. If you add to the fact that businesswomen generally don’t get the same amount of support, you can see how everything can easily become too overwhelming. That’s why you should try to get some support wherever you can. If you have a partner, make it clear to them that you expect to be able to rely on them. Furthermore, reach out to other women in your industry and ask them for support. Also, network and try to establish valuable relationships with other business ladies. Exchange contacts and relevant business information, refer clients, and share your experiences.
Let your guard down and ask for help
Also, don’t be afraid to let your guard down and admit that you need some help. It’s quite common that people need help from time to time which doesn’t make them either weak or any less. Just ask yourself this: would you think any less about someone who came to ask you for help? No, of course not. So, do know that it is quite all right to ask for help when you find yourself struggling. Acknowledging your weaknesses and seeking aid is actually a sign of being human. Finally, if you know your business’s limits and abilities, you can easily prevent biting off more than you can chew.
Inspire and help others
Just like you were probably inspired to start your own venture, you should try to inspire others around you. Whenever possible, offer help to those who seem to need it and be willing and open to boosting others on their way to success. Listen to those who come to you with a certain problem or concern, and really do your best to try and help them. And thanks to all the latest technology, in order to be able to do all of this, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home. Social media, emails, smartphones, and even regular landlines are created for the purpose of communication, so use them and communicate with other professionals.
As mentioned above, working from home can be as awesome as it can be challenging. However, the key is to find your motivation and set everything up to match your needs. Otherwise, you can easily become overwhelmed and give in under pressure.
Provided by UST, offering hr resources for nonprofits
About the Author:
Marco Lopo is a Sydney-based business consultant and a marketing analyst. He writes about business and lifestyle. He thinks that’s the perfect opportunity to present himself to a wider audience and receive recognition. In his free time, Marco enjoys music, traveling and also is a big reading enthusiast.