We know that most people dream of working from home for some reason or other. Whether it’s having no commute, working in your pajamas or being able to have the freedom you want, working from home and creating a home-based business requires effort, motivation and patience. Learn how you can help maximize your chances for success.

1. Set a Schedule and Stick To It. Sometimes our lives are so busy we are unable to stick to our designed schedules. In order to create a successful home business, you need to create a plan for each work day, and stick to it. The flexibility of working from home is great but you must create discipline in your daily life. If you are unable to create discipline in your home work life, you may want to re-think this whole business idea.
2. Reduce Distractions. Working from home creates a whole new set of distractions you never thought existed. Everything from the home phone ringing, dog barking, to workmen trying to fix a leaky pipe. Use tip #1 to help reduce distractions. Schedule all non-business related work during a designated block of time. As the boss, you have the power to cancel unnecessary home appointments whenever you want. Also, don’t hesitate to tell solicitors to take a hike.
3. Create a Positive Work Environment. Just because you do not have to drive 30 minutes to and from an office does not mean that you should not create a comfortable working environment. Do your best to keep your surroundings comfortable and professional. Your work station should resemble one of a professional office but with a few extra luxuries of being at home. Working from the sofa (while it feels great) is not ideal for a successful home business.
4. No Underwear Please. Studies show that workers who have professional dress code requirements tend to work harder during the day. Casual dress usually results in an overall casual mind frame. Very casual dress, meaning your boxers, tends to create a very casual and unproductive work environment. This is something important to remember when working from home. Start your day off the same way as if you were coming into an office building. You will notice that your energy level will rise and you will get more accomplished during the day.
5. Reward your Boss (You!). When you work in the typical office environment, accomplishments tend to get recognized by your coworkers. When you work from home, you can only pat yourself on the back. Write down a list of rewards (within reason) as you accomplish your goals. Make sure you reward yourself for your achievements, otherwise you will find yourself getting burnt out very quickly.
6. Shut People Out. Work time is work time and family time is family time. Don’t be scared to shut the door and tell people not to bother you for a few hours. Set these boundaries early on and you will find it easier to shut out the rest of the world. You are free to go against this rule in the cases of smelling fire or hearing excessive crying.
7. Don’t Argue with the CFO. In a typical office all your expenses get redirected to the CFO. In a home business, you are your own CFO. This is why you must do everything necessary to keep your expenses down. To cut expenses, try using open source (free) software or doing whatever it takes to find the best deal available for appreciating technology. Sharing software licenses is an option, although technically an illegal one. Try creating an expense spreadsheet that covers your next 3-4 months. This way you know exactly how much you need to make in order to cover your expenses.
8. Web Credibility. A home office may only be a small desk in your studio apartment but your image should show a Madison Avenue Office. This easiest way to fool the average consumer is a professional web appearance. Use a professional web marketing agency and work with them to create a website that builds trust in your potential customers.
9. No Clutter = No Problem. When you work from home, your office custodial responsibilities fall on you. Make sure you end each day with a cleaning of unnecessary paperwork and garbage. Treat your home office with the same respect you would treat any other office. You will feel that much better when you show back up to work tomorrow.
10. Plan for Growth. You must always plan that your business will exponentially grow. Plan on how you may fit another one or two co-workers in your home within the next 6-12 months. If your home office does not allow for this growth, you should start saving some money for a larger location. Growing the number of employees is what will ultimately grow your wallet. Don’t be afraid of success!

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