Archive for August, 2009

By Tammy Embrich

Are you often scrambling to find an important printed document? Or are you having trouble finding a simple item such as a stapler? Is your desk so piled up that you can barely see the top of it? More importantly, maybe your child’s homework is buried under the shuffle of papers that seem to be growing in front of you?

If you answered even one of these questions with a “yes” then your office needs some tender loving care organization.

I know when my desk is piled up and I can’t find anything, I sure don’t feel very productive. I find I have a much more productive day if my desk is nicely organized and tidy. I always feel better about my business when I get up in the morning and find everything in it’s place. I mean it just makes sense, an organized office is a successful office.

The following tips will help you have a more productive business

* Always clean your desk off at the end of your work day. For example, put all those papers in their proper place, preferably in a file cabinet. Put all the pens/pencils in the little cup that’s supposed to be holding them. Make sure you have a schedule made out in front of you for the following day.

* Create a home business environment for yourself that will encourage work and motivate you rather than make you want to go out shopping. If it means redecorating your home office to achieve this environment, then do it.

* Organize your documents on your computer and consistently do backups so your information is safe. Make a separate document for your income and your expenses. Keep these updated daily, weekly, or monthly. This way when tax time arrives, you won’t have to do these tasks for the entire year. You can even save these documents to a disk and keep it updated if you want to be extra safe.

* Keep your important printed documents in organized file cabinets. If you don’t own any, invest in some. With a home business, a filing system is essential, just like any other business.

* Always eat your meals at the dinning room or kitchen table with your family. Don’t eat your meals at your desk. By doing so, after your meals you will return to your work area refreshed and ready to take on the rest of your tasks.

* Establish some rules for your home office. If your work day doesn’t evolve around your phone, let your answering machine pick up those calls during the day, unless they are emergencies of course. If you have a busy household, shut your office door and tell your family to knock before entering. If you feel the need to, place a sign, “do not disturb” on your door. Just these two office rules will decrease distractions considerably.

The less distracted you are, the better your focus will be on your work each day. With the help of the tips above, try and create a method for organization with your daily tasks. While doing so, you will most definitely increase productivity, thus generate success for your business.

Article Written By Tammy Embrich

You can find more articles and other business resources at Work At Home Articles.

Also visit Tammy on her Work At Home Forums, where you will find free job leads, work at home articles, home business ideas, and more. A place to get to know others and network.

By Tammy Embrich

Working at home is becoming more of a reality for many. Several years ago I sure didn’t think it was even feasibly possible. I used to sit and dream of the whole work at home scenario. Imagining myself working with ease and everyday abundantly prosperous.

After having experienced a few successful years of working at home, I’ve come to realize that there are lots of cons that go along with all the pros. Everyday isn’t always organized, filled with an abundance of motivation, and inspiration. Us work at homers have to work at this daily. We have to be realistic about our particular situation and needs and make the best of our work at home environment, whatever the case may be. We’ve all become accustomed to the many ups and downs of our home jobs, just like any other 9 to 5 brick and mortar job. There will be days when we’ll have disappointment, distractions, and even some unproductive days. It all comes with the territory.

So if you’re thinking of working at home and dreaming of the perfect, happily ever after, day after day, think again! Working at home involves work, and there is no legitimate “get rich quick” or “easy work” formula out there that puts you on easy street, as the old saying goes.

If you want to telecommute from home, you will have to work hard. If you want to start a home business, you will have to work hard, and everyday will not be perfect or easy.

Below are four important tips for people just starting on a home job journey

1. Set a work schedule and do your best to stick with it. I’ve learned through trial and error that having a daily routine helps me tremendously. It helps keep me on track. Now, that’s not to say that things won’t arise unexpectedly and you won’t be taken away from your schedule. Naturally there will be unexpected distractions. Life situations happen. But what better reason to be at home in order to deal with those situations? Work up a schedule that you can realistically stick with on a daily basis. Have it in front of you at all times and consistently check off tasks that you complete.

2. Make your work area your own, wether it be a complete home office or a corner in your spare bedroom. The idea is to separate your work from your home. This is so very important. If you start mixing the two, it will most likely cause conflict. So make your work area your very own and explain to your family members, this is your space.

3. Be good to yourself and take breaks as you need them. This includes weekends. You need time away from work to rejuvenate and recharge those batteries. What about vacations? Take them! While you’re away, you may come back with new ideas, motivation, and inspiration. Every business needs this. Also it’s a good idea to take breaks often during the day. Maybe go have coffee or lunch with a family member or friend. Take a walk, or maybe read for awhile from your favorite book. Not taking breaks can cause overload and burnout, it’s just not healthy. So, be nice to yourself, refresh, and take time off when you need to.

4. Be realistic. Be prepared to work. Realize that a work at home job is a “real job” that involves real work. Simply put, you will have to work hard to succeed and earn money. Earning a steady income will not come easy. This in itself is the biggest realization that home job searchers will have to come to terms with and take action.

Working at home is a wonderful luxury for me, but it does have it’s peaks and valleys. I work at what I do consistently everyday and I’ve come to really enjoy it. It’s been a long journey getting here and I have had to put forth a lot of effort, and still do, but it’s worth every moment. I love what I do and I wouldn’t change anything.

Article Written By Tammy Embrich

Tammy offers free telecommute work at home job leads, work at home articles, business tips, and more at Work At Home Jobs.

Stop by Tammy’s Work At Home Forums where you can find more free job leads and other work at home professionals to socialize and network with.

By GT Bulmer

When you are an Internet Home Business newbie, or when you are just nibbling at bits and pieces of information online trying to make some sense of it all, it can all seem pretty much overwhelming.

For Internet Marketing newbies and nibblers, I know exactly how you feel. I felt the same way. What I found is there are groups of online marketing enthusiasts with all levels of experience willing to offer you some insight, support and encouragement.

You will find these helpful, experienced people in Online Business Forums and Marketing Discussion Boards. I can’t begin to tell you how much I value participation in forums and discussion boards. The information and inspiration is priceless.

Online Forums and Discussion Boards provide you with an easy, non-threatening way to learn what people are doing and how they are creating financial success and independence working at home.

You can be a “fly on the wall” in the forums, if you want. However, your forum experience will improve significantly once you get “interactive” — when you start asking questions and offering your own insight and experiences. For me, mutual interactivity is the secret to success using Online Forums and Discussion Boards.

Some marketers join the forums with the only purpose being to advertise their offers and opportunities.

On the other hand, if your focus in the forums is to learn from others and make a meaningful contribution, the benefit you receive and the good will you create will have far more reward and value than simple advertising or promotion.

Here are a few things I recommend when you participate in Online Forums and Discussion Boards:

1. Read the Rules and FAQs

Forums are not all the same. They each have their own focus, purpose and personality. Before jumping into a particular forum, read the forum rules and Frequently Asked Questions.

2. Get To Know The Community

Before asking questions or posting comments, take some time to read through several of the topic threads. Get to know who is posting. Become familiar with the posting style of the thread participants. That will help you fit in better when you do begin participating.

3. Stay On Topic

Before posting a comment, be sure it is relative and meaningful to the discussion thread. While forum members may be patient and tolerant of newbies, thread participants don’t often appreciate it if you divert the direction of the discussion. If you need to, simply start a new topic thread.

4. Keep It Brief And Focused

Most often, forum members are looking for quick and easy answers to questions, or short, meaningful quips and quotes relating to the topic. Do not write a thesis. And keep your comments clearly focused or you will risk losing your readers.

If you follow these simple recommendations when visiting forums and discussion boards, you will be rewarded with results and appreciated by other members.

I am a confirmed fan of Online Business Forums and Marketing Discussion Boards. My Internet Home Business productivity and success has benefited greatly as a result of being an active, contributing member to a number of forums.

About The Author

GT Bulmer © StarrBizz.com

For more info related to this topic, read GT’s StarrBizz.com article on Online Forums here.

GT Bulmer is a freelance writer and enthusiastic Internet Marketer. Please take a few minutes to visit GT’s website, StarrBizz.com – Internet Home Business Ideas and Opportunities, and be sure to Read GT’s Web Bizz Blog for even more Internet Home Business insight, information and inspiration! Subscribe to GT’s Free Internet Home Business Tips Newsletter.

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