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THE LIVING IS EASY - Part II

© Barbara Massie

"Summertime and the living is easy." Here's Part II of how you can make your living a little easier for the rest of the year by preparing for it using hints from the solutions to problems some fellow crafters have.

Q. Last year, after an illness that forced me to stay home, I decided I liked being at home and made the decision to start my own home-based business. I guess I just want to share with others that it really can get lonely. At work there was always someone to talk to or go to lunch with. At home, there is the TV with talk shows, and lunch is usually a quick plate of left- overs. I'm not sure this is going to work for me. (Does lunch have to be left-overs? Read about MyMealPlan for suggestions.)

If I go back to work after bragging about having my own business, my family and friends are going to say, "I told you SO." How do others cope?

A. We have talked and looked at your situation. For the readers, she is going to hang in there. With some personal and business practice changes, her "at home" job can give more satisfaction.

Let's talk about those of you who feel the same way Diana does. First, it can get lonely at home. You must keep up your public contacts. At the very least, joining a club or association gets you out of the house and allows you to network with others. Once or so a month, go to lunch with a business contact. It doesn't have to be fancy, wear jeans and go to a fast food restaurant if you like, but "do lunch."

Next, "Think Positive." Most everyone is afraid of failing. You need to focus on success. Made for Success has many morsels of wisdom on everything. There are negatives and positives in your business, but keep it all in perspective. Learn from the bad experiences. Dealing with the small failures while knowing that your product is good and is selling makes you a positive person.

Mindset is a key ingredient of entrepreneurial success. The best business people are those who are proving something. They know that it takes energy, dedication and hard work Don't hang in there if you know for certain your business is not working and it is in the red. But every small business person owes it to herself or himself to "think success" and give it a try.

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