Business v. Hobby – Where does your Home-Based Business Stand?

Are you ready to stop treating your business like a hobby? Those words hit me like a ton of bricks.

The question was asked generically to a crowd of people, but I felt like I was the only one sitting in the room and the spotlight was shining directly on me.

The question I had to ask myself was obvious, “Am I treating my business like the multi-million dollar enterprise it is, or a hobby, something to fill my time and nothing more?”

So I drew a line in the sand, and I crossed over. I closed my eyes to see the world that I stepped into, my professional business.

I was surrounded by my own office. No, this wasn’t a closet or a bedroom with a desk. It wasn’t a corner in the basement or the kitchen table. This was MY office. My own space with my own desk and my own computer.

There is something so special and amazing about having your own space.

Part of having your own space must include having your own telephone and telephone number. When someone calls the number on your business card and you don’t answer, what kind of message are they getting. Are they hearing one of your children say “Mommy/Daddy isn’t here right now, but leave a message?” If you want your kids to leave your message, let them do it on the home phone.

Don’t get me wrong, I have kids and love them, but your business voice mail is no place to spotlight your children.

Do you own professional recording so people will recognize your voice.

Do you have a bank account specifically set up for your business. If not, go out and find your very own personal banker…. Shake their hand. Be professional and let them know that you have a business that’s going to be bringing a lot of money into their vaults very soon. Be confident! There’s just something about having your own personal banker that makes your business so real.

Do you find yourself with a shortage of time every day to work on your business. Perhaps your only working on your business part-time and you still have a full time job. That’s perfectly ok, you just have to plan your time a little better. Are you a morning person. I am. I made the decision to get up one hour earlier to work on my business.

Here’s the rules: No Phone; No Email; No Web surfing; No Kids; No Dog; No Husbands. You get the picture. This time is for your business, and only for your business.

You’ll be amazed at how much you get done. Take your shower first and be totally ready to walk out the door when your hour has ended. If you pack your lunch, do it the night before. You don’t want anything to interrupt this time.

When you’re ready to really put this hour on steroids, let’s take it one step further. Get up 15 minutes earlier than the original hour and get on the treadmill. Work yourself up from a leisurely walk to a fast-paced 15 minute jog. You will have more energy and your business will begin to boom!

Finally, remember these two key words: Baby Steps. To be cliché, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your new and improved habits won’t happen overnight. Just keep moving forward, taking baby steps, progressing every day, and soon you will wonder where all the extra business is coming from.