Homebased business "What if factor"
By Business Coach Linda Fayerweather.
Working out of your home to combine income and family can lead to frustrated deadlines! I learned with my first homebased business and having a 1 year old and 8 year old that deadlines often were stretched by blood, battles and misappropriation of time. Since we all want the rest of the world to view us as professionals, planning now can help. Here is how I still handle deadlines (those kids are 21 and 28 – they really do grow up).
1. Make a timeline that is realistic for a project. Use your past experience as a guide. Be honest and map out all the parts of a project including, getting copies, or binding or just driving to the post office.
2. Add 25% to the time needed. Now look at this time. Does it seem realistic?
3. Get out your planner and block the time into your calendar. This way a project that should take 20 hours to complete will not be staring at you 24 hours before it is due. This will also help you plan the deadline around your life and kids (that was why you were working home, right?).
4. Now let the prospect/customer know this date and stick to it!
These simple steps can help you become a hero to your clients, provide you with a more relaxed work environment and have the life you want.
(c) 2002 Linda Fayerweather
The Business Coach
Mailto:coachlindafay@yahoo.com
***NOTE: You're welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered, and you send me a copy or link to your reprint!***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Fayerweather's FREE weekly e-zine gives Quick tips on Business Success. Subscribe today at http://www.mondaymorningmotivators.com or by e-mailing Mailto:mmm@coachingcards.net.