Monday, May 18, 2009

How Much Money Will I have to Spend to Work At Home

If you’re thinking about joining a home based business there are a few questions you’re probably asking yourself. Can I really do this? What will my spouse think? Which business is right for me? And of course… how much money will I have to spend to have success in a home based business?

All of these questions are important and should be thought about but I’d like to focus on the last one. Over time I’ve come across a lot of different people who want to work from home and almost all of them believe that working from home either has to be A) Free or B) extremely expensive. That’s why I’m here to tell you that it’s neither.

Let’s start with the first one because it really is a huge misconception that I want to bust right here and right now. There isn’t a business out there anywhere that you can start and not spend a dime. That my friends is called a JOB and there are plenty of them out there. A business always…. And I stress ALWAYS costs money to start.

You couldn’t open a clothing store or a restaurant without money up front right? Well a home based business is no different. I’ve read many an article saying that if a business asks you for money up front it’s a scam and that’s just so far from the truth it’s unreal. If you don’t invest some money you’re not in a business… period end of story.

They say it takes money to make money and that’s true so after your initial start up costs you may have to spend a little bit of money here and there just on basic marketing needs. Not a fortune but a little here and there.

That brings me to the second misconception. That starting a home based business costs a fortune. If you’re going to start your own business a home based business is the way to go. You won’t find another legitimate business you can start that will be any more cost effective. We’re talking less than $1000 here people. To start a real… honest…. Can make you filthy rich business! It just doesn’t get any better than that!

So in the question of how much money will it cost to make money from home here is my answer… less than $1000 to start (in many cases less than $500) and probably $50 - $100 a month to maintain. Now that’s a life changing opportunity that almost anyone can afford!

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Believe it or not even if you’re the most confident person you can think of you have a comfort zone. And more often than not that comfort zone can be holding you back from greatness. So it’s important that you find your comfort zone as soon as you can and learn how to get out of it. When you get out of your comfort zone there is no limit to what you can accomplish.

First of all everyone has a different comfort zone. Some people hate talking to strangers while other people don’t mind at all. Some people could sell anything to a stranger but hate trying to sell their friends or family. Whatever your particular comfort zone is it’s important to discover it and then leave it as quickly as you can.

Who knows exactly why we’re afraid to do certain things. Maybe we just care all too much what people really think of us. Maybe we just don’t want to make a mistake. But when you’re trying so hard not to make a mistake you usually don’t take very many chances and that’s a sure fire way to never reach your goals.

Business is all about taking chances, big, giant, sometimes even costly chances. None of the great companies in the U.S. would have been created without people who were willing to step outside of their comfort zone and take some chances. Maybe you’re not trying to invent the next Google or Microsoft but just the same you need to start taking more chances and getting a little uncomfortable if you really want that truly mind blowing, unbelievable success.

Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb… that’s where the fruit is!

Leave your comfort zone behind and start breaking new ground in your home based business. Remember, it’ll only feel uncomfortable until the money comes rolling in!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

6 Reasons Why Working for the "Man" Sucks

If you have a regular job like most people do you know what I know… working for “the man” absolutely sucks! There is nothing like owning your own business and being your own boss and once you know just how great it is you’ll never go back to corporate America. However, for those of you who haven’t experienced the true bliss of being boss free here are a few reasons why working for “the man” or any man sucks!

6. Would you like some bread with that traffic jam

Long commutes are one of the worst things about having a job. When you work from home your commute is from the bed to the chair!

5. Paycheck… what paycheck?

When you have a job they can pay you whatever they want to pay you. Whether it’s what you’re really worth or not. When you work for yourself you can decide to make more or less. Want a raise? Just give yourself one!

4. Two words…. Dress code

Showing up to work in your pajama pants is probably not an option at your job. When you work from home ever day is casual Friday. VERY casual Friday.

3. Office politics

If you’re like me you’re not about sucking up to the boss to get ahead however in many work places that’s exactly what you have to do to become successful. If you’ve ever been passed over for a promotion you know you deserved you know just how annoying office politics can be!

2. No job is safe

As much as your boss will probably tell you that you’re a valuable assent to the company the truth is that you could literally lose your job at any time. Many people go into fields that they believe will help them have more job security but at the end of the day when you work for someone else you can never be 100% sure that your job is safe… ever!

And the number one reason why working for “the man” sucks is…

1. Your time isn’t your time!

When you have a job they own every single part of you but especially your time. Wouldn’t it be great to go to a movie in the middle of the day with your spouse? Or take a 3 week long vacation? Or just sleep in on a Wednesday?

When you work from home your time is truly your time and that’s something you’ll never be able to get when you work a job.

So that’s it! I hope you found this list enlightening. Working for yourself is the only way to go. I can’t wait to see you there!

4 Great Places to Work Outside Your Home

One of the great things about working from home is that you don’t have to STAY at home. Here are 4 different places that you can choose to work your home based business from!

1. A Coffee Shop

Coffee is the official drink of work isn’t it? It seems like no office would be complete without a big pot of coffee to keep their employees working hard. Many coffee places today offer free WiFi in their stores so you get the big comfy chairs, the relaxing atmosphere, free internet AND yummy coffee to keep you working… what’s not to like? It’s also a lot less expensive than working in a restaurant and they usually don’t mind if you set up shop for a couple of hours. It’s just the perfect spot for almost anyone.

2. Your Own Backyard

That might sound crazy but sometimes it’s not about being far, far away from home it’s just about getting outside for a while. If you sit outside with your laptop you can probably still pick up your internet signal from inside the house. You can watch the kids play, maybe get a tan and just enjoy the freedom that you wouldn’t have if you were stuck in a cubicle all day. A picnic table or some patio furniture and a glass of lemonade make this the perfect set up and it’s free!

3. The Mall

This one might seem a little out there for some people but sitting in the food court of a mall can be a great place to get some work done. Here’s why. There are lots of people buzzing around so if you’re writing a blog post or an article there is plenty of inspiration. Also, there’s nothing like going and checking out that pair of shoes or that outfit you want to motivate you to work a little harder. Of course if you’re the type of person who has to have quiet in order to get work done this is not the best option for you. But some people work best with a little noise around them and this is one of the best spots for that. Plus you have your choice of a bunch of different restaurants!

4. On The Beach

This really is the dream scenario isn’t it? Sitting on the beach (or in a cabin in the mountains that’s what you’re into) relaxing and enjoying the day and getting a little work done while you’re at it. Obviously most of us can’t do this one year round but your work just won’t seem as hard if you’re doing it while sipping a mai-tai and feeling the sand in your toes.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

George Carlin

I have always been a Carlin fan and it was a shame the day he died. I think his views were right on and I wanted to share his remarks, this always makes me think....
GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...and George followed her, dying July 2008)




Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and les! s.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of ! quick tr ips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, ' I love you ' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.


George Carlin