| Ralph Waldo Emerson said that "there is always time | | | | programs to load or for the system to reboot when |
| enough for courtesy." But if you own your own | | | | it crashes, you may find the time lost is worth a new |
| business or work out of your home, you probably | | | | system. If you really can't afford to upgrade your |
| don't have time for much else. Coupling the inherent | | | | system, think about adding more memory, or |
| challenges of owning your own business with the | | | | updating the processor. Adding software that will |
| distractions of working at home can create a serious | | | | protect your computer from viruses and block pop |
| drag on your morale and income. If you find yourself | | | | ups can also help if you're unable to upgrade. Check |
| spending too much time dealing with distractions and | | | | online for deals and you'll typically find affordable |
| not enough time working on real issues, it is time to | | | | computers and accessories. |
| take action. Taking the simple steps outlined in this | | | | Lock the Door |
| article can help you increase your work efficiency, | | | | Just because you work at home does not mean you |
| and ultimately, improve your bottom line. | | | | have to be home all the time. If you have an office |
| Block Pop Ups | | | | where you do most of your work, make sure there |
| Chances are very good that you spend a great deal | | | | is a working lock on it, and don't be afraid to use it. |
| of your day on the computer, probably working | | | | Shutting the office door is kind of like when you |
| online for much of that time. Your time is too | | | | block pop ups - you work on what you need to |
| valuable to waste another second closing all those | | | | work on, and not whatever comes through your |
| pop ups that seem to be everywhere on the | | | | door. Of course, if you work at home because you |
| Internet. Cheap or free software is available to stop | | | | wanted to be able to take care of your kids or your |
| pop ups from ever showing up on your monitor, and | | | | pet iguanas, be responsible and never let your family |
| the time you will lose downloading the program will be | | | | lose out priority-wise to your business. If you're |
| easily made up for in saved time surfing pop up free | | | | having too many problems balancing family and |
| online. Do yourself the simple favor and block pop | | | | business, sit down with them and talk about your |
| ups today. | | | | issues. Find a solution that works for everyone and |
| Create a Process | | | | stick to it. |
| Bad habits are hard to break, but so are good ones. | | | | Don't Work in your Pajamas |
| If you find yourself doing the same task over and | | | | For some people this may be the entire appeal of |
| over again, take a little bit of time to sit down and | | | | working at home. Studies have shown, however, that |
| create a formal process for the way you will handle | | | | the way you dress has an impact on the type and |
| that situation. It can be something as simple as | | | | quality of work you are able to do. You don't have |
| answering a customer or client email. If you do it the | | | | to wear a suit and tie every day just to go over the |
| same way every time, you will always know whether | | | | books, but consider dressing nicely when you have a |
| the email has been answered, where the email is | | | | lot to do. You'll mostly likely feel like you mean |
| saved, and what, if anything, needs to be to follow | | | | business if you look like you mean business. |
| up on it. Process-making will save you time on almost | | | | Owning your own home business can be the dream |
| everything you do, from reporting to billing to | | | | job you want it to be, but you might need to take a |
| ordering. | | | | proactive approach to control the things that distract |
| Update your Technology | | | | you on a day-to-day basis. Eliminating distracters and |
| A new computer may seem like a luxury that you | | | | increasing your personal efficiency will help your home |
| cannot afford on your small budget, but when you | | | | business succeed. |
| consider the amount of time lost waiting for | | | | |