The reasons people express for wanting to work from home are
many and varied, but most home based business owners cite the
ability to set their own hours as a major factor in their
decision to work at home. However, many people that have work at
home businesses often fall into a trap that flies directly in the
face of their stated desire for time flexibility.

The strong growth in home based business activity continues and,
according to the Small Business Administration's Office of
Advocacy, fifty-two percent of ALL small businesses are
home-based.

Some home based business owners have been known to become
"workaholics" because their office is so accessible. Don't
become a slave to your business...get out of your home office
regularly to renew and revitalize yourself.

Close the door to your office or otherwise remove yourself from
your designated "work area" and go into your "home" area to live
your personal life. If your business involves the use of the
telephone and you find it difficult to ignore a ringing
phone in the office, simply turn the ringer off and turn the
volume on the answering machine way down. If your business is
internet based, just turn off your computer (or at least get away
from the monitor and keyboard).

As a work at home business entrepreneur, you certainly aren't
required to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week just
because your business is located in your home. After all,
your office or workspace is just an area in your home...its not
your home itself!

Working and living under the same roof has a host of advantages,
but it can present some challenges (in addition to the workaholic
syndrome mentioned, above) and stress factors.

Here are four ways to create a less stressful home business
environment:

-Remember why you wanted to become involved with a home-based
business (i.e. more time for family, work schedule flexibility,
etc.)

-Have discussions with your family members and get their input
about the working arrangements and the amount of time they want
with you.

-Use good time management techniques. Keep a list of tasks by
order of importance. There are many low cost and effective "day
planners" or "organizers" readily available today.

-ALWAYS take a little time to "smell the roses".

While not experiencing the negatives common to a corporate office
working environment, the home-based business owner may
occasionally experience stresses and frustrations that are unique
to working at home.

Networking with other home-based and small business owners
provides an opportunity to connect with others who may be
experiencing the same stresses/frustrations that you are. Sharing
stressful and/or frustrating issues with someone else in the same
situation can relieve your stress and may bring you good advice
from a different point of view.

As a final note, remember to observe Home-Based Business Week
each year (it is always the week of October that includes the
second Tuesday).