What everybody ought to know about working from home

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This is a Guest post from James King of betterstartblogging.com. Read the full bio at the end of the post.

We all want better lifestyles, more time with family and friends, right? Online business and working from home is an appealing escape route from the 9 to 5. Many Internet marketers are seductive in their approach of emotional conditioning. The manipulation of living life by: your own means; making millions of online in record time is only one half of the equation.

There are countless: articles; blog posts; videos and marketing material that glamourise working from home as the best way of generating income. The majority of their content is developed to sell products; resources and their ideologies, tailored to make them money.

In this article, I will expose some of the hidden obstacles that are frequently overlooked whilst working from home. Many claim that setting up a business is straightforward. The reality is business requires a great deal of time, effort, determination and persistence that must be delivered.

In March, 2010, I was working for an employer. The company was making job cuts across many departments and employees were naturally worried. One late Friday afternoon with the weekend around the corner, me and my colleagues received individual e-mails regarding a meeting from a senior manager. That would take place on Tuesday afternoon. Uncertain about the agenda, we had our assumptions it was redundancy related. Redundancy is an emotional game of limbo.

We hear so many stories about people making six figures or even a seven figure income from a laptop in just 2 hours a day.  It’s natural to be curious. We all want more money and the nicer things in life, right?

Make millions now! It’s complete garbage. If it’s so easy how come everybody is not doing it? Why are people struggling to make money online?

The realities of working from home

Self-employment means you own a job.

You are now the captain of the ship. You’re responsible for the outcome of your business. Being your own boss requires motivation, dedication, responsibility and the determination to succeed.  All these qualities don’t guarantee you’ll be successful.  The economy is a vital cog in your business.

• Is there a demand for what you do?
• How many other people are offering the same services as you?
• How much value do you provide for your customers?

Lots of free time!  It’s bogus. You’ll find out that you’ll be working longer hours, towards tighter deadlines and learning as you progress.

A business can strain your relationships

Many successful business people apply lots of time into their ventures. That can lead to neglecting other areas of our lives, especially with people we love and care about. Many business people I know have a string of failed relationships due to the victimisation of self-employment.

A successful life should be a balanced life. Business owners realise how difficult creating money can be and have no alternative to work longer and harder, to earn a wage that can be easily earned in the 9-to-5.

You’re constantly searching for the next meal ticket

Finding new clients and networking is the blood flow of your business. Without networking your business can’t grow. Networking should be applied in every aspect of your life. I’m certain you’ve heard the phrase: “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. We get business from people. Networking with people is how we make money.

Collecting money from people is very difficult. In a recession finding money to pay people especially in business is treacherous. If business “A” cannot pay business “B”, then business “C” suffers. Many businesses are under the domino effect.  Cash flow is another lifeline.

What should you do

Being an employee is a smart decision, because you’re guaranteed a regular income. Many people believe that working for them is the answer to a successful lifestyle. My experience can only provide you with decisions.

The best way to develop a successful income is in your spare time. We all want more money, but use the resources you’ve got whilst being employed you’ll have a better chance of success.

Once your online business exceeds your job’s income then consider going self-employed. Never have all your eggs in one basket. Listen to reason and logical. Don’t always buy what these Internet Marketers preach you, because they’re in the industry of making money just like you!

I lost my job, to learn that valuable lesson. Working in business is very hard and you’ll become obsessed with money.

There is a lot more to life than slogging your guts out for a pittance. Be smart and develop an online business steadily and gradually in your spare time whilst being employed.

An extra income never hurts. If you get made redundant you have another lifeline. Once you’re made redundant your bosses don’t care. Look after number one at number one because no one else well.

Now it’s your turn

Have you lost your job or been made redundant? If so, you’ve got all the more opportunity to develop an online business, have you started developing one?

Are you in business for the long-term?

James King is an experienced web designer and new media consultant. His blog www.betterstartblogging.com provides a no nonsense guide to blogging and online marketing. If you’re looking for guest posts on your blog related to web design and blogging contact James King today.

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Tagged as: get rich quick, working from home