If you have a home based business do you think of yourself as a business owner, a leader and someone who is building wealth?
In my last blog post Start Your Home Based Business Like a Business I talked about treating your home based business like a business from day one. Some of the comments and discussions that resulted from this have prompted me to go deeper into my first point: treat your business like a real business from the beginning.
Working out of home gives us something many of us have craved for – time freedom. With this of course comes the need to have some discipline with how we spend our time. If we are serious about building a business it needs our focused time.
I have always loved the saying “people do not plan to fail, they fail to plan”. Without a plan we will not magically build a business.
It is so easy in our new world of social media and the internet to see hours disappear without doing anything really productive. I am guilty of this at times and I know I am not the only one.
Personally I believe an office type work environment can also be very unproductive. I know in many of my past roles I have reached the end of the day and not ticked off one item from my “to do list”. I have merely reacted to staff queries, client calls and whatever else happened in the day.
I have attended many “time management” workshops, implemented systems and read a myriad of business books on time management, achievement and other related topics. Many of these had great ideas and many I still use today. One book that helped me focus on what is important was The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Foundational Principles I recommend it.
I truly believe the way we see ourselves is key. Do you see yourself as a business owner? Do you see yourself as building a business? This is fundamental to how you will function in your day. It does not matter if you are currently the sole person in your business and you do not as yet have a team, you can focus on where you are going. Start with the end in mind!
If you have not read Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant: Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Freedom by Robert Kiyosaki it is a must read for anyone wanting to create a business and wealth. If you have read it I suggest you do what I have done and read it again and continue to get deeper layers of understanding from this book. I have read it many many times.
Mindset can be developed and it is perhaps the most important factor in business success.
I would love your comments and tips on how you work on your mindset. Please leave me feedback below.
Linda G. Cox says
Sue~
This is a very nice post! There are so many of us building a businesses online. Even though we’ve read the books, it takes practice to truly change our mindset. I’m glad I’m getting to know you! It will be fun to learn and grow together!
Sue says
Thanks Linda. I am loving getting to know you too. It is truly amazing to be connected and sharing with people on the other side of the world.
Don Enck says
Hi Sue,
Thanks for the reminder to revisit 2 great books on my bookshelf. I think one of the hardest things to do as a home based entrepreneur is to take the lessons learned in all the valuable teachings, trainings, and books and apply them to your business. So often it’s just implementing one thing at a time that makes a difference. Figure out one thing that will make your business better. Implement it. See that it’s working and then look for the thing to add.
Sue says
Hi Don
I agree it is difficult to implement everything at once. I find myself being very focused on something and forgetting some of my other good habits. For example I used to be very organized with my time but cannot say that right now!
I think they call it “bright shiny object syndrome” on the internet.
Sue
Belinda Cunningham says
Hi Sue
I like this post and reference to two great books. This is for me the biggest thing to overcome, treating my business and myself seriously. It is a little hard to change the mindset from employee to entrepreneur. Maybe that is another post.
Belinda
Sue says
Hi Belinda
You know I do not totally relate to the change. Mainly because I have had my own businesses for so long. But I was an employee once just a long time ago.
I find another challenge in having had a business and going to an office to now being at home.
This area is so important for all of us.
Sue
Darlene Davis says
Sue,
Good idea to “start with the end in mind.” I’m going to put that statement above my monitor and re-read it on a consistent basis. By focusing on the end point, the trivial issues will be irrelevant. Great words of wisdom, my friend. I really enjoy your blog:)
Sue says
Hi Darlene
You have given me a great idea with your idea, putting it above your monitor. I think it really would help us see the important from the trivial.
Thanks for that idea 🙂
Sue
Christ Bernardo says
Sue,
I appreciate you sharing your insight on this. I think that life is all about learning and connecting, and i truly connected with what you have shared today. Look forward to reading more.
Chris
Sue says
Hi Chris
Thanks for your comment and glad you connected with what I wrote.
Sue
Louise Steiner says
Thank you Sue for sharing these great thoughts. I love your quote “people do not plan to fail, they fail to plan”. It is so difficult to remain focused on the task at hand when there are so many distractions out there. I’m still working on that one and I’m pleased to say I am improving. I find setting mini goals, whilst keeping the end goal in mind of course, helps enormously.
Sue says
Thanks Louise.
I agree about the distractions. I think most of us must go through it when we start on the internet while we try and make sense of what is what.
I agree with you on mini goals. They are great to move us along.
Sue
Aki Wood says
Great advice Sue; those are also really good book recommendations. Anyone who doesn’t want to treat their mlm like a business might as well find a new hobby.
Sue says
Hi Aki
I love your suggestion for people who are not treating their MLM like a business. I will remember that one.
Thanks for commenting.
Sue
parent coach says
“people do not plan to fail, they fail to plan” That’s a great quote and I think I make it as part of my own motto. I think once you get your business mindset going than you’re on a roll. I think as for myself I subconsciously turn it off.
Leslie
Sue says
Leslie I agree that is a great quote. I think many people drift through life. I make plans but have to discipline myself to stick to stick to them.
Sue
james jennings furnitrue says
I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.
Sue says
Thanks for dropping by to my blog and for the comment.
Sue
calorie in beer says
I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.
Sue says
Thanks for the comment and for the nice feedback.
Sue
Sue says
Thanks for your feedback.
Sue
Exhappeda says
Thanks For This Blog, was added to my bookmarks.
Sue says
Thank you for adding me to your bookmarks
Sue
Consperacy girl says
Best tips of making a business grow and even stronger…I am still building my business now and thanks to this site i get lots of information.
Sue says
Beth thanks for your comment I appreciate it.
Sue
Michael says
I’m not in business but I’ve been writing and commenting several posts and I still working with my positive mindset, right attitude and most especially setting up my goals properly. Thanks for this great inspirational post, you really inspires me. Thanks much!
Sue says
Thanks for your comment Michael. It sounds like you are on track and learning.
Sue
Adam Robinson says
I don’t think anyone has achieved success and wealth without planning for it – as far as self-made rich people go. It’s actually quite simple. One will just have to come up with realistic and specific goals, come up with specific steps on how that can be achieved, and then do them. Since these are realistic steps, there’s no excuse of not being able to do them. Slowly, one will realize that they’re reaching their goals already. Some imagination may be required as well.
Sue says
Thanks for your comment Adam. I agree with your suggested process. I am always amazed though how many people do not have goals or know what they want. I think that is where your comment “some imagination may be required as well” comes to play.
Sue