Setting Boundaries. What?...Boundaries That Empower the Work at Home Entrepreneur

With the ever increasing stressors and decreases of today's work
environment, more people are deciding to move out of employment
and move into a home based business. This decision is being made
for a variety of reasons, and while the end line is usually the
bottom line, flexibility, more often than not, is the key
objective. Our world is quickly turning into one where there is
more work at home entrepreneurs than ever before, and that number
is continuing to rise. These are just some of the benefits. Add
as you will:

1. No commuting.
2. More family time.
3. Setting your own schedule.
4. Receiving the total benefits for your hard work (nothing like
being the CEO of your own creation)
5. Everyday is casual day!

Sounds appealing, doesn't it? It is, however, for those that
have created a home based business need to learn how to
formulate, implement, and consistently adhere to a few
boundaries. Boundaries are important for productivity,
consistency and creating a Flow. Most of your family and friends
would not consider calling you at your employment to gossip, ask
you to run an errand, or ask anything of you that would take up
your time or take you away from your employment during work
hours. Unfortunately, often for the work at home entrepreneur,
family, friends and neighbors do not really understand the
distinctions that while you may be "at home," you are
definitely "at work," and that your "real business" takes
"real dedication." It is up to you to set the boundaries you
want followed, and it is up to you to be sure that it happens.
Setting boundaries begins with you. You need to set boundaries
for yourself, and be the example of your own expectations.

Obviously, before you begin setting out to set-up your business
boundaries, think about your individual business and its
requirements. For example, if most of your work is in an Internet
home based business capacity, with very few, if any, real life
meetings or telephone calls, you have a bit more flexibility in
your schedule. If, on the other hand, your work at home business
consists of meetings and telephone calls during normal business
hours, you will want to take that into consideration.

With all this in mind, here are three steps that could be taken
in order to create and implement those needed boundaries:

Normal business hours. Not that you can not change things up
here and there, because you can - this is why you have a work at
home business, but setting your normal, daily business hours will
help in a multitude of ways. For one, family and friends can be
told that you work on such and such days from such and such time
and that unless it is an emergency, you are not available.

Flexibility with structure. Be aware of family events, errands,
or other issues that may break up your day ahead of schedule.
No, you can not always plan for these things, but when you can,
remember to work first and play later. This way, you can start
your work day earlier, or plan on working later to encompass
those preplanned events. It is far too easy to promise ourselves
that we will "get back to something later," when without a
plan, we often do not. This will give you a less stressed work
day so when those unexpected things do pop up, you will feel more
able to deal with them.

You have committed to a home based business and with this
decision comes with it the bottom line--flexibility and yes,
personal fulfillment. If you want to take your children to
school, pick them up from school; take an art class; go to the
gym during your work day--these activities could be included
everyday in your business boundaries. It is your business and you
are your own boss.

Put physical boundaries in place. Take steps to decrease your
interruptions. This could include setting up a work only email
address (and then do not check your personal email during working
hours!) having a dedicated phone line or cell phone for your home
based business (this way you can let your home number go to
voicemail while you are working). Also, you can create a "Do Not
Disturb" sign for your office door - when you hang it up and
close your door, this will signify to your family that you are in
serious work mode.

For the most part, boundaries are about the realization of the
commitment you made to yourself when you decided to work at home.
Decide on your boundaries, communicate them, and then commit
yourself to following through. The end result will be a
fulfilling home based business that gives you everything you
desire!

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Ruby River is the proud owner of an established,
home based business with a system that cuts through
the hype and presents a genuine opportunity to exceed
your income goals working from home. Motivated,
entrepreneur minded individuals, visit:
http://www.rubyshomebasedbusinessopportunity.com