Simple Works: Home Business Tips That Will Save Time and Money

Raising seven kids has taught me well in life and business. My husband and I each brought three kids to the table (his three boys, my three girls) and we shared an extra child we couldn't love more. To get along as full siblings is nearly unheard of, but as step siblings? Nearly impossible. Yet, they got along well. Very well.

People complimented them often and would ask us the secret; it was always the same:

Be consistent, accountable, and follow through.

Like raising good children, you could not choose a better formula for business success, in fact, it's so easy, people overlook it. And wonder why they fail.

Working from home is a blessing, but also a curse. You may find yourself putting off something until "later" and later forgets to show up. The next thing you know, you're searching for your receipts to show the bank that there was supposed to be a charge reversal or your phone service is disconnected but not because you have no money--because you forgot to pay the bill you can't find.

Being thorough and consistent can save on late fees, lost accounts, looking immature as a business, and a huge amount of stress. 

No matter what kind of home business you run or how much your business earns, these tips can change your life as you know it and keep in mind, I've cut it to the bare bones. Seriously, just do this if you are not already doing it.

Put your paperwork away in the same place. Every time. 


Use file folders, even if you keep it in a cardboard box. You may end up with more folders than you really need, but as you are consistent in using them and putting them away, your mind will automatically be on the lookout for the best way to do this for you and your needs.

Your filing system is too elaborate if paper is piling up; don't work hard and loathe doing it, simplify. Some small businesses have only two files: IN and OUT. Whatever works BEST for your business and for the least amount of effort is exactly what you need.

Keep LIKE things together. Bills with bills. Receipts either stapled to bills or with other receipts divided only if you have so many it's necessary. Pens with pens all in the same place every single time. Get it?

Do not fight yourself. If you work better on the computer, scan your bills and keep in folders on your computer. Find an app for your phone that works with you. If you are a paper hoarder as I am, then stop trying to force making everything online. Go with what will make you get things done.

When you tell someone you will call... call. Follow through.

Work hard to make your day-to-day "normal" things--like filing and return phone calls--take five minutes or less. 

If you have someone else working with you, learn to delegate and only work on the more difficult things that must have your attention.

This is enough to get you going. Do you know why? Because simple works.

Simple Works: Home Business Tips That Will Save Time and Money

Raising seven kids has taught me well in life and business. My husband and I each brought three kids to the table (his three boys, my three girls) and we shared an extra child we couldn't love more. To get along as full siblings is nearly unheard of, but as step siblings? Nearly impossible. Yet, they got along well. Very well.

People complimented them often and would ask us the secret; it was always the same:

Be consistent, accountable, and follow through.

Like raising good children, you could not choose a better formula for business success, in fact, it's so easy, people overlook it. And wonder why they fail.

Working from home is a blessing, but also a curse. You may find yourself putting off something until "later" and later forgets to show up. The next thing you know, you're searching for your receipts to show the bank that there was supposed to be a charge reversal or your phone service is disconnected but not because you have no money--because you forgot to pay the bill you can't find.

Being thorough and consistent can save on late fees, lost accounts, looking immature as a business, and a huge amount of stress. 

No matter what kind of home business you run or how much your business earns, these tips can change your life as you know it and keep in mind, I've cut it to the bare bones. Seriously, just do this if you are not already doing it.

Put your paperwork away in the same place. Every time. 


Use file folders, even if you keep it in a cardboard box. You may end up with more folders than you really need, but as you are consistent in using them and putting them away, your mind will automatically be on the lookout for the best way to do this for you and your needs.

Your filing system is too elaborate if paper is piling up; don't work hard and loathe doing it, simplify. Some small businesses have only two files: IN and OUT. Whatever works BEST for your business and for the least amount of effort is exactly what you need.

Keep LIKE things together. Bills with bills. Receipts either stapled to bills or with other receipts divided only if you have so many it's necessary. Pens with pens all in the same place every single time. Get it?

Do not fight yourself. If you work better on the computer, scan your bills and keep in folders on your computer. Find an app for your phone that works with you. If you are a paper hoarder as I am, then stop trying to force making everything online. Go with what will make you get things done.

When you tell someone you will call... call. Follow through.

Work hard to make your day-to-day "normal" things--like filing and return phone calls--take five minutes or less. 

If you have someone else working with you, learn to delegate and only work on the more difficult things that must have your attention.

This is enough to get you going. Do you know why? Because simple works.

2013 & Resolutions: Out With the OLD Ideas

Going out on a limb, here, assuming the majority of readers have, how many of you made New Year's Resolutions and what are they? 

As you probably know by now, I have not made resolutions. I haven't made any since I was in high school, when I learned most women made diet resolutions (this was the 80's, it was about dieting, not health!) and most of those broke them. It kind of stuck on me that if I didn't make them, I'd not break them.

Fast forward back to now (I know, an oxymoron): where has not making the resolutions gotten me? While it's true I've not broken my promises, I have also not really moved forward much. YIKES! Yet... it's the truth. 

If one aspires to nothing in order not to fail, one fails. 

I've failed. I've failed myself (and deprived all of you of my good works!).

My resolution this year is to make daily resolutions (AKA daily to-do lists). I want to write a page a day; I want to work on the YouTube account; I want to write and share my blogs; I want to train the cheerleaders to be the best personally they can be; I want the cheerleaders to win competitions; I want to have my business organized; I want to locate more missing children; I want to solve unsolved mysteries; I want to earn money; I want to secure my future. And I want to be in shape.

By year's end, I will have at least 365 posts on various websites and blogs, 365 pages written, a grant written, and $365 dollars left over after paying all the fees associated with TrueCrime.co.

Happy new year to all and blessings and success upon each one of us.

Last year's Waialua High School Bulldog's Varsity Cheer Team at OIA competion-Coach Ann Dellatan

Two Amazing Tips to Get Anything Done From the Comfort of Your Home

Wanna know the two biggest challenges of working from home and how to completely obliterate the excuses (thus: get anything done)?

1. Don't have children.
2. Turn off your "smart" phone."

Not necessarily in that order.

As if either of those will happen at this stage!  All kidding aside...

We recently had a serious hospitalization in our family that changed the way we work and play. Ironically, we put the electronics down to pay attention and deal with the situation and our futures... and got much less done. Or did we?

We put EVERYTHING to the side that could be put down, including my working from home, and stepped up the business of our family.

Sometimes, in the shuffle to get it all done, things actually get undone. Please, even though we were not visiting the hospital day after day because I ever worked from home, don't be afraid to get help and delegate or put down your work to care for your family-they're the reason you stayed home in the first place.

Now that our family is back to our "new normal," the business shall follow.

Blessings all!

Focus

How do you focus on work, while at home?  How do you concentrate when your children are present?  Are you able to feel comfortable working while your spouse is watching TV? 


These questions, and more, should have been well researched and studied before you started your business-even more than the actual business itself, after all, if you cannot commit focused time, your business will not thrive even if it was named Disneyland.


At first glance, babies appear to be the most difficult distraction, however, this is false.  Sure, they'll make sure you know they need you and, yes, you won't be able to move forward until you deal with the precious child's needs and wants, yet babies and their schedules (and lack of moving about and talking), work for you.  In fact, even if your babies are anything like every single one of mine [were], it's a simply a matter of not blocking set hours of time, but allowing yourself to work 30 minutes, take 15 minutes off; work 30, take off 15; work 30, take off 15. Smaller increments, but extremely productive (so much so, that I've adopted the "five minute plan") moments.  It's amazing how much you can accomplish when you commit to those 30 minutes.


Obviously, you'll substitute your increment times according to Baby and your schedule.  


Toddlers are not as easy to deal with, and they tend to be the most difficult.  They often can understand you a thousand times better than you understand them.   That's the cause of your needing to supervise nearly every single moment.  Thank God for naps!  


Though toddlers are extremely mobile and even more curious, you can make this work.  Choose the things you can nearly count on to occupy five to ten minutes without standing over Toddler, like playing blocks (cars, ball, etc.) to do the things you most have to concentrate and get them done in small sessions (or wait a couple of years to start your home business). Use a high chair, a coloring book, and Crayolas once a day for fifteen minutes of business concentration.  If your toddler can sit quietly for a cartoon, know that "their brains won't turn to mush" if they watch a limited amount each day you need to work.  This can be a bigger break, generally a half an hour to two hours, and you can even sit beside Little Guy.


Never leave your baby or toddler alone in the bathtub and I do NOT advise you working whatsoever during bath time (I know, this is a no-brainer, but statistics of children drowning in a tub while the parent is home is staggering).


If you absolutely cannot share the concentration, hire a young sitter to play with Toddler for a few hours (or use an older sibling or the other spouse). 


School age kids, unless homeschooled, and your business work magically. It's a natural home business progression that your work hours equal their school hours.


Teens don't want to need you and will continue to do so as much as possible.  However, I find that my needing to focus on work brings about their neediness almost without fail.  I set everything down and look into their eyes while they talk and secretly be thinking, "Hurry up! I love you, but I have work to do and you didn't give me the time of day while I was washing dished, folding clothes, or watching Jerry Springer!"  This brings about some paralyzing guilt on my part once they leave my side, until I remember I'm working from home in part for them.


You can cure this one by doing two things:  work while they're at school or socializing, and deep clean the house daily (the second idea's a joke, of course, get it?).


Your spouse. For me, it's my hubby.  I don't know what to say about this because my husband doesn't even care if he talks to me, as long as I am near him.  I try focusing at the table near his Call of Duty TV, but I can't. He's cussing at his online buddies and it's distracting.  And back to kids for a moment, this is also the time when Dad can totally deal with all their needs--but their inclination is to come to me and ask me something.  Hubby says, "Hey!  Mom's working, whatever you need, come to me."  And I inject my theory that they already interrupted me so that just makes it a longer interruption.  Sigh.


Murphy's Law, right?


Anyway, my working is a no-go while Hubby's home. I work while he works or I work in the wee early morning hours.  You may have a completely different situation (and we did set up a home office where I can close the door, but sometimes, me working by his side is all the free time I have to spend with him) and will learn to know it, work with it, and love it.


Maybe you can't sit and focus for hours at a time, but with a bit of creative maneuvering, you can run a business and run it well.

Life and Business

Working at home presents unique situations, such as the one where you have to put off your work in order to handle little everyday changes in plans.  

Making cold calls today?  Great, that means Johnny got sick at school and the school nurse will interrupt your call.  Right?  I'll bet you need to mail out several important and time sensitive papers.  You guessed it, the washing machine broke and it was in the draining cycle; it drained all over your floor.  You won't be mailing anything before the post office closes.

The thing is, just plan for the unplanned. Daily. It WILL happen. Daily.

When I drew up my general daily plan (I keep ONE list for everything-kids, work, house, etc.), I put five hours of work and chores on the list and I NEVER put a time on it, though I do mentally push through time slots the evening before, that way I have a road map of sorts to accomplish it all.

Five hours isn't much, considering the majority of people work more than eight hours a day (that and the fact you OWN your business), but if you concentrate, do it all RIGHT the first time, and focus, then it will be worth more than all the hours of the day.

You work from home for a reason, schedule in that something will happen and tighten up your commitment to your business.  If you say you'll work five hours, work it. Who knows, maybe by planning for an accident, it will all go smoothly and you'll end up with free time.

Seasons Change

I've never had a period of time, since I became a mother, where I didn't have one child at home with me 24 hours a day.  At least one child was homeschooled at all times.  Wednesday, this all changes.  Our middle daughter starts college and the rest are either adults or in school (or both).  For the first time, I will have time to focus and concentrate on anything at all.

I'm nervous for the change, yet excited. We raised our kids to be self-sufficient and responsible, so there's absolutely no fear. Well, none, that is, except for me. Do I know how to be an adult?  One who is not somehow mothering (or smothering, as the kids might like to call it)?  

In my mind, I see a few things.  First of all, I know I do want to be home when the kids get home from school and my husband appreciates me and a hot meal when he comes home, too, and I like to spend as much time as possible with him before he deploys.  So, what I really see, is five hours a day that are mine to organize and manage. I can choose to relax or I can choose to be productive.

I'm a doer; I choose production.  

From the previous posts, you know I'll be spending five minutes a day on paperwork. I like to clean alone, with loud music, and deeply. There goes a half hour.  I think of it as exercise, but that's not quite enough, is it?  Another half hour to exercising at the gym or home, at least a few of the days.  A half hour to get there and and back and to lose on stupid stuff that always seems to come up.

Wow.  Where does time go when you aren't being productive?

But the truth of the matter is, when you feel good about your surroundings (a clean and well organized home), your relationship life is in order (being consistent at the end of the kids' and hubby's day), and you FEEL good (and exercising not only helps you look great, have energy, and helps maintain your health, it's actually a GREAT "anti-depressant")-you'll end up with better work in two or three hours than you would in eight without all the feel good stuff.

Yep, season's change, but I can change right along with it, and somehow, come out better than ever.

It's a New Day

Each day you wake, you have a golden opportunity: You can make the day better than the day before. Meet and exceed goals you have yet to meet,  relax and enjoy your family, you can make a meal that you've been wanting to try for years... it's all up to you.  We don't need "New Years' resolutions;" we need day to day resolutions. 

For those of us working from home, it can be difficult to separate home and work.  Those are the best days, because they remind you of how flexible you and life can be.  Don't take it as a frustration, take it and make it work for them and YOU.  Take that time, rest your thoughts about work and lists and goals, and hold your angel.  Listen to them. Give them undivided attention.  Hear them. Respond to them. Love them.

When all is said and done, aren't they why you choose to work from home?  And honestly, when all is said and done, aren't you in a better frame of mind when you come out of that moment and get back to work?  Aren't they?

By the way, if you can't get back into your work, take the time to sit down and read a good book. For direct sales, it's always good to study tried, true, and proven methods.  For writing, there are thousands of books and it's hard to select only a hundred, so I'll give you a couple of my past favorites. Anything from the late great Gary Provost is a good read and informative.  Screenplay writing... you can't go wrong with Syd Field, he'll show you how to get into your screenplay and propose it so you have a fighting chance.  I'm saving my favorite for last.  I LOVE, love, love William Goldman.  There's no better screenplay to read than one of his. I've read quite a few, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but my all time favorite to read (for my learning purposes) is Absolute Power. I could understand the acts, the direction, the characters, and the words quite easily.

The Skinny on Direct Sales: Your first 100 days

 

 

Be a Party Plan Superstar: Build a $100,000-a-Year Direct Selling Business from Home

The Screenwriter's Workbook (Revised Edition)

Screenplay Workbook: The Writing Before the Writing

  

Absolute Power: The Screenplay (Applause Books)

Making Money from Home: How to Run a Successful Home-Based Business