Owning your own home-based business is by and large a very rewarding, exciting endeavor. You can set your own schedule, and be where you want, when you want. You can oftentimes forego the commute to a "regular job" and save money on gas and other "niceties" that are expensive in the work-a-day world, such as lunches, parking fees, etc.. There are unexpected pitfalls and disadvantages, though, in the owning and operating of a home-based business. Some are psychological, some are emotional, and others are purely physical. The unexpected stresses of a home-based business are really one of the major obstacles that need to be overcome by business owners. Many new business owners are unprepared for just how much stress is involved, actually. Home-based business stresses usually fall into three categories overall: 1. Psychological: Employees, Finance, Legal, and Operations 2. Emotional: Family, Friends, Change of Personal Routines, Personal Disruptions, Isolation 3. Physical: Sedentary Lifestyle, Poor Eating Habits, Overwork Many business owners, in order to prevent the psychological stress will have plans in place for dealing with these particular stress factors, prior to their occurrence. This is a proactive approach that is infinitely better than having a reactive approach to these occurrences. Each business owner should have a financial plan in place for the times when orders or customers are few and far between (slow times), as well as a good accountant to call when necessary. Each business owner should also have a lawyer who they trust and can turn to for advice if necessary (we do live in a very litigious society). And each business owner should have a plan for sickness among employees and hiring and firing protocols firmly in place. Machinery and replacement of business supplies should also be well planned in advance, and purchased according to well laid out plans for expenditures. Leadership skills will need to be developed, as a new business owner who is used to being part of a team, will find working alone and "being in charge" a somewhat difficult transition at first. Books on leadership skills abound and it is a good idea to do readings on the development of these to proactively avoid the psychological stress that comes with this change in roles. Working alone and making decisions alone is quite different from the conformity and decisions made within a group. If a proactive approach is taken, the psychological stresses of a new business can easily be prevented, or at least lessened. The emotional stresses of a home-based business are usually a bit more difficult to ascertain and tackle when they occur. Some of these stress factors can come directly from well-meaning family and friends, unfortunately, and the approach is of course, much different. Since a home-based business is usually tied directly to the home life of an individual, there is less chance to escape these stresses, than with a traditional method of employment. A new birth in a family, a death of a loved one, illness, or simply a change of schedule of another family member, can greatly impact the daily workings and routine of a home-based business. In addition, family and friends may view the business owner as "being at their disposal" all day now, as the business owner is now "home" much of the time. These well meaning individuals may call or visit all the time, and also expect the business owner to take care of their needs before the needs of the business. This is simple human nature, but is very distracting for the business owner. The only way this can be successfully overcome is to make plans well ahead of time for any changes in routine, if possible, and adjust the schedule accordingly as the changes occur. Well meaning family and friends need to be told with certainty that there are "business hours" and "personal hours" and a business owner needs to remain firm in their resolve in regard to these issues. Stressing over emotional stress will just escalate an already stressful situation. Another unexpected emotional stress comes many times from the feeling of isolation and loneliness that business owners may experience. Business owners many times are unprepared for the time they now find they spend alone within the parameters of their home-based businesses. A home-based business owner, while relieved to leave the workforce, sometimes does not realize that the workforce provided social opportunities that are now missing from their lives. Many hours may be spent each day alone, which can lead to loneliness and even depression in some cases. The best approach to combating this type of isolation is to actively plan social opportunities. Planned outings with family and friends should be made regularly. Business owners may also join community groups that expose them to other business owners or others within the community. The local Chamber of Commerce and other volunteer groups are a great way to make connections for the business and also enhance the social experiences of business owners. No one can exist in a void, so the social aspects of a business can not be ignored. Finally, owning and operating your own home-based business brings with it some purely physical stresses. Like most office jobs, a home-based business can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, as owners may spend most of their days in the running of the business, either slumped in an office chair, or hunched over a computer, depending upon the requirements of the business. Because of the long hours involved in any business, business owners may also eat "on the run, grabbing whatever is at their disposal, rather than planning meals, which compromised their nutrition. The sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits can lead to weight gain and other physical ailments associated with poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles: high cholesterol, lack of energy, loss of muscle tone, and a deficiency of vitamin D from being indoors more than usual. The sedentary lifestyle is the easiest however, of the stresses to avoid or to change. All it takes is a dedication to an exercise routine that includes some form of daily physical exercise, and an adherence to a diet that is well planned and nutritious. Just some planning is needed and some will power in order to stay focused on achieving daily physical activity and good nutrition. It would be beneficial, if at all possible, to join a gym or health club, as the physical and emotional stresses can be avoided by belonging to one, as a gym also provides social opportunities. Even a simple walk each day can increase exercise, exposure to sunlight, and create social opportunities. A tendency to do too much each day, is a syndrome many business owners fall prey to also. Overwork can leave anyone run down, and open to many diseases as the immune system becomes compromised. A business owner is of course, very excited and energetic about the business, which can lead into this syndrome of overwork. A schedule should be maintained to combat this syndrome, with set hours for "doing business" and set hours for "relaxation" included in each day. Trying to do too much all the time just leads business owners into a decrease of productivity, rather than an increase of productivity. As you can see, having a home-based business, while very rewarding in many ways, can have many deleterious effects on the physical, mental and emotional states of business owners. Many business owners fail to plan for these changes, and yet, if planning is done, the negative effects can be minimized to a great degree. If a business owner takes care of themselves and their own needs, overall, the business will also benefit from this positive behavior! A happy, healthy business owner means a happy, healthy business! Vishal P. Rao is the owner of http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com - One of the Internet's leading website dedicated to starting, managing and marketing a home based business.
Owning your own home business is generally a very rewarding, exciting company. You can set your own schedule and be where you want, when you want. You can often commute waive a "regular jobs" and to save on gas and other "niceties" that are costly workplace by day world, such as meals, parking fees, etc.
There are unexpected pitfalls and disadvantages, if in possession and operating a home business. Some are psychological, some are emotional, and others are purely physical. Emphasizes the unexpected a home business are really one of the major obstacles that must be overcome by business owners. Many new business owners are not prepared for how much stress is involved, actually.
Home-based Business stresses generally fall into three categories overall:
1. Psychological: employees, finance, legal, and operations
2. Emotional: Family, Friends, staff change routine disturbances personal isolation
3. Physics: sedentary lifestyle, bad eating habits, overwork
Many business owners, in order to prevent psychological stress have plans in place to deal with these stress factors prior to their occurrence. It is a proactive approach that is infinitely better than having a reactive approach to these events.
Every business owner should have a financial plan in place for the time orders or customers are rare (slow times), and a good accountant to appeal if necessary. Every business owner should also have a lawyer whom they trust and can turn for advice if necessary (we live in a society very issue). And every business owner should have a plan in case of illness among employees and hiring and firing protocols in place. Replacement of machinery and supplies business should also be well planned in advance, and purchased according to plans for expenditure.
Leadership skills should be developed as a new business owner who is used to be part of a team, find work and alone "in charge" a bit difficult transition at first. Books on skills leadership abound and this is a good idea to do readings on the development of these actively to avoid psychological stress that comes with this change of roles. Working alone and make decisions alone is quite different from the conformity and decisions taken within a group.
If a proactive approach is taken, the psychological stress of a new business can easily be avoided, or at least mitigated.
Emphasizes the emotional aspect of a home business are generally a little more difficult to determine and address when they occur. Some of these stress factors can come directly from well-meaning family and friends, unfortunately, and the approach is obviously very different. Since a home business is often directly linked to an individual's lifetime, there is less chance to escape these constraints, as a traditional method of employment. A new birth in a family, a death of a loved one, illness, or simply a change of schedule of another family member, can greatly affect the daily operation and routine of a company home.
In addition, family and friends May show the owner as "being at their disposal" all day today, as the owner of the company is now "home" most of the time. These well-intentioned May Appeal call or visit any time, and also that the business owner to take care of their needs before the needs of the enterprise. It's very simple human nature, but is very distracting for the business owner. The only way it can be successfully overcome is to make plans well in advance for any change in routine, if possible, and adjust the schedule accordingly as the changes occur. Well meaning family and friends need to be said with certainty that there are "business hours" and "hours" and a business owner must remain steadfast in their determination with respect to these issues.
Stressing more emotional stress simply an escalation of the already stressful situation.
Another unexpected emotional stress comes several times a sense of isolation and loneliness that business owners May. Business owners on several occasions are not prepared for the time they are spent only within the parameters of their home-based businesses. A home-based business owner, while relieved to leave the labour market, sometimes do not realize that the workforce provided social which are now missing from their lives. Many May be spent hours alone each day, which can lead to loneliness and depression, even in some cases.
The best way to fight against this type of isolation is active socially. Planned output with family and friends should be conducted regularly. Business owners May also join community groups that expose them to other business owners or others within the community. The Chamber of Commerce and other volunteer groups are an excellent way to establish contacts for the company and also improve the social experience of business owners. No one can exist in a vacuum, so that social aspects of a company can not be ignored.
Finally, possession and use of your own home-based business brings with it a purely physical. Like most clerical jobs, a home business can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, as owners May spend most of their days in the management of the company fell into a desk chair, or hunched over a computer, as required by the company. Because of long hours involved in any business, business owners May also eat "on the run," taking whatever is at their disposal, rather than planning meals, which compromises their nutrition. The sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits can lead to weight gain and other physical ailments associated with poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles: high cholesterol, lack of energy, loss of tone muscle, and vitamin D are inside more than usual.
The sedentary lifestyle is the easiest, however, constraints to avoid or change. All it takes is a commitment to an exercise routine that includes some form of physical activity daily, and adherence to a regime that is well planned and nutritious. Just a little planning is necessary and some power to stay focused on the achievement of daily physical activity and good nutrition. It would be useful, if possible, to join a gym or health club, as the physical and emotional stress can be avoided by belonging to one, as a gym also provides social opportunities. Even a simple walking per day can increase exercise, exposure to sunlight, and create social opportunities.
A tendency to do too many things each day, is a syndrome many business owners plagued by the fall as well. Overloading can leave anyone down, and open to many diseases as the immune system is compromised. A business owner is of course very happy and energetic on the company, which may result in burnout syndrome. A timetable should be maintained to fight against the syndrome, a fixed time for "doing business" and set hours for "relaxation" included in each day. Trying to do too much all the time leads business owners to a decrease of productivity, rather than an increase in productivity.
As you can see, have a home business, although very rewarding in many ways, can have numerous deleterious effects on physical health, mental and emotional states of business owners. Many business owners fail to plan these changes, and yet, if planning is done, the negative effects can be reduced at a high level.
If a business owner takes care of themselves and their own needs, in whole, the company will also benefit from this positive behavior! A happy, healthy business, an owner happy, healthy business!
Vishal P. Rao is the owner of http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com - One of the first Internet site dedicated to the creation, management and marketing a home business.
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