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There’s always something compelling about the idea of working for yourself — even more so when you can do it anywhere in the world, like from the comforts of your home. Not having to answer to anyone also sounds incredibly liberating, while eliminating the need to be somewhere on a schedule is undoubtedly the height of flexibility. Not only that, but there’s the potential to pursue something that you care about as a livelihood, too.
No doubt, the best way you can achieve all these and more is to start your own business — preferably one that you can run remotely on your own terms. But of course, the execution will probably not be as easy as the idea. In fact, you’ll be looking at a significant investment of your time, money, energy, and hard work, which is probably why there aren’t more people scrambling to start their own home-based businesses.
The key is to break down the process of building a remote business, so you’re not overwhelmed before you’ve even started, thus:
Don’t do everything yourself.
As you start a business, you’ll probably be of the mindset that you need to do it all yourself to make sure that everything runs smoothly and, of course, to save money. However, it likely won’t be long before you find out that BusinessTown is right: this isn’t a good idea. After all, a business is a many-faceted organism that makes use of several different skills, and the fact is, you probably don’t possess all of them.
Case in point: If your strengths lie in the creative, you might end up using up too much of your precious time tackling technical aspects of your business. This can be truly counterproductive, as opposed to just hiring someone who knows their stuff to do it for you. Again, the expenses come to mind, but really, it can prove to be more cost-effective to pay for a professional, rather than wasting time and energy attempting to DIY when you’re better off spending those on creative pursuits, networking, and/or revenue-generating tasks.
Also, remember that there are many different business structures that can accommodate your company’s needs. Small businesses can choose to be sole proprietorships or partnerships, but if you’re planning on earning sizable amounts of money or expanding your business down the line, then a Delaware LLC or S-Corp can protect your personal assets. If you’re unsure which type of business to establish, then it’s also a good idea to consult with professionals who can advise you on the pros and cons of each business formation.
Invest in tech tools that get things done.
With a solid team in place, set up your business to run as seamlessly as possible. Fully manual labor is pretty much a thing of the past, now that there’s an app or software that can make a variety of tasks faster and easier to do — and, in many ways, more accurately, securely, and safely at that. It’s a good idea, therefore, to invest in the tools that your business specifically needs for efficiency.
Fundamentally, when you manage a remote team, you’ll find that effective collaboration is crucial. For this reason, you’ll also want to leverage collaborative tools like Slack to communicate and manage workflows effectively. Communication is king, after all, so also explore methods like creating a company-wide newsfeed or project- and/or team-specific channels for more efficient and standardized information dissemination — essentially, for the left arm to know what the right one is doing
Armed with a solid business plan and adequate knowledge, it is, indeed, possible to hit the ground running as you launch your remote business. And with the right support, tools, and resources, you may even find that being your own boss is exactly as flexible and rewarding as promised.
When you’re used to
going into the office each day for your job, working from home can feel
stressful, isolating, and nearly impossible. The good news is that though we
can expect remote work to stay awhile (if not forever), there are ways to make
things easier. Here’s how to stop coping and start thriving by making your
work-at-home situation feel more normal.
Start a New Routine
You may no longer have a
commute, but a routine can be a healthy way to transition to your new normal.
Try these techniques for maintaining your sanity—and schedule—at home.
· Create a schedule based on your previous habits.
· Take breaks—the right way.
· Set boundaries for work versus life.
Create a Productive Workspace
Setting up your work
area is an essential step toward productive and enjoyable work. Try these tips
to establish a space that works for you.
·
Ensure your internet
connection is up to the task of telecommuting.
·
Design a dedicated workspace
(instead of camping out on the couch).
·
Keep ergonomics
in mind when choosing equipment or furniture.
·
Factor in productivity
and establish a distraction-free area.
Find Ways to Reach Out
Now that you’re working
solo at home, water cooler chat is a thing of the past. But that doesn’t mean
you can’t connect with others outside the office.
·
Engage in team-building
efforts each day.
·
Find ways to collaborate remotely.
·
Consider finding a mentor
to support your work at home goals.
·
Get professional
help from Life-Works if you experience work injuries or discomfort.
There are both significant
benefits and extreme challenges involved when you’re adapting to work at home.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of resources to help you navigate the
difficulties—and embrace the positive elements. Get started with this list, and
you’ll feel better—and become more productive—working from home in no time.
Photo via Rawpixel
Suggested Job Search Schedule
Sunday: Review and apply to help
wanted’s online and/or in classifieds
(If your local paper comes out on a different day, start this schedule from
that day and change the below days accordingly…)
Monday: Call those ads that
request a call and obtain directions/additional information for ads asking to
apply in person
Tuesday: Apply in person, return calls of employers who called, attend
any job development/training
meetings, review job-seeking skills material online/participate in groups
Wednesday: Cold calls and
practice interviewing, other job search skills training
Thursday: follow up calls with
any outstanding employers, job service,.
job search from the previous week
Friday: Networking – call
friends and identify employers who are hiring. Call and follow up with Staffing agencies
registered with.
Don’t forget to use other resources like checking jobs through the job
service, trade journals, large area employers, Pennysaver type papers, and staffing agencies AT LEAST weekly.
Keep up on the latest industry news!
If your job goals are a bit more modest - Work on your computer or
other skills (one hour per day is a good goal). Here is
a brief lists of great sites for self-improvement:
Job Search: http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com Computer Basics: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/ComputerBasics or www.eldy.com General Mind/Brain: http://www.lumosity.com Keyboarding: http://www.nimblefingers.com/0_min.htm OR http://www.powertyping.com Microsoft Office: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training-FX101782702.aspx Languages: http://www.duolingo.com/ OR http://livemocha.com/ |
