Tips to Guarantee Work-At-Home Success

by Leslie Truex

Published on this site: June 30th, 2005 - See more articles from this month...

If its true that 80 to 90% of businesses fail, then what is the 10 to 20% doing to get it right? I have met many people who blame everything from the work-at-home program, their spouse, the economy and the weather for a failed business. But success is not a matter of luck or circumstance. There is a difference between successful home workers and those who never make it.

People who are successfully working at home….

1. Choose their work-at-home opportunity wisely.
   
   People who work at home DO NOT stuff envelopes, assemble things, process email or "get paid to" read ads. None have signed-up and gotten paid from spillover. Successful home workers do real work whether in a job or home business. They researched the companies and verified claims before sending any money. They are not swayed by easy money or crazy claims. They fully understand what is required to be successful in their work-at-home venture.
   
   
2. Are prepared to work hard and steady.
   
   It's an odd thing that "working at home" is not actually equated with work. Signing up and sending $20 a month to an Internet scheme will not make you rich. Neither will stuffing envelopes or gluing earrings. While many home workers may not work more hours than a traditional job (although many do), they definitely put more mental energy into their work. There is no just showing up and getting paid like at a job. Further they are clear on "busy" work versus "effective" work. They don't play office but instead prioritize their tasks in terms of what will lead to income the fastest.
   
   
3. Understand the payoff may be delayed.
   
   There are people in the world who set out to work at home and within 30 days are earning great incomes. But for most people, developing a regular income can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. Successful home workers prepare their schedules and finances in such as way as to survive until their venture makes money. They also develop a very strong "why", a reason to want to be successful so that they will be motivated to continue the effort for free until the money comes.
   
   
4. Keep in mind the alternative to success.
   
   While keeping an eye on the prize (what will be won get when success is achieved), remembering what happens in failure can be motivating too. Having a JOB, sending kids to daycare, long commutes, no time for friends, family or personal interests can be a driving force to keep trying as well.
   
   
5. Stay away from the naysayers.
   
   Successful people never listen to anyone who doesn't already have what they want. I don't know why people listen to others who as unhappy and broke as they are. First of all, most naysayers don't know what they are talking about. Second, they don't want you to succeed because it will make them look bad. They'd rather live in their settled lives of quiet desperation wishing for luck or the lottery than step out and do something challenging to change it. Successful people stick with other successful people or at least with those who are supportive to their efforts.
   
   
6. Are willing to pay the price.
   
   I get email all the time from people who really want to work at home. They send me a long list of what they won't do without ever mentioning what they can do. Success cannot be achieved without work and even discomfort. You may have to learn to talk to people or other tasks that may be hard. The price is also paid by giving up some personal time such as leisure reading or golf. Successful people give up their leisure activities until they have achieved success. Then they spend the majority of their time on leisure activities. In essence, to be successful, you need to be willing to sacrifice and attempt challenging tasks now so that you can have all the time and fun you want later.
   
   
7. Make a plan.
   
   Successful people don't rely on chance or luck to get them to their goal. They know exactly where they want to be in terms of money amount and the date on which they will get it. They are clear each time they sit down to work on their venture what tasks need to be done to move them towards their goal. Not only are plans a requirement but they have the additional benefit of making your journey to your goal shorter and faster.
   
   
8. Never give up.
   
   What if Edison gave up after 100 or 1000 or 2999 tries in creating the light bulb? What if Lincoln gave up after is first business failed, or his second. Or when he lost the congressional elections twice? How many people before Edison did quit when trying to invent the light bulb? Or how many dirt poor, not formally educated, gangly men quit their dreams before Lincoln (or since then for that matter). We think successful people are smarter or luckier than everyone else when the truth is, they just never quit trying. They learn from every mistake and drive through every challenge and disappointment. Success is actually achieved in that moment you try again instead of walking away.

I truly believe everyone who wants to work at home can. But not everyone is willing to do what it takes. Usually these people blame the business opportunities, the scammers, the economy, other people, the weather…etc. But there are hundreds of thousands of stories about average men and women who made the decision to work-at-home and with a never give up attitude and a willingness to pay the price, are living a life of their creation. How about you? You can have that two. All you need to do is follow the above eight tips.



Leslie Truex is a work-at-home mom who has been sharing work-at-home secrets since 1998 on her website Work-At-Home Success. Leslie's work-at-home endeavors include self-publishing, a home business, and part-time telecommuting. Learn how she does it all at
http://www.workathomesuccess.com plus sign up for her free ezine to get eJobs At Home and other free work-at-home reports.