Home Office Challenge of Network Marketing 10 Things You Can Do!

Although there are many benefits of a home based business through network marketing one of my biggest struggles has been the transition of the structure of my office job to the freedom and flexibility of our home based business. Being in the mortgage business for 10 years I had the structure of a nice office and daily tasks that I did to be productive at the end of the day.

Mimi and I have worked really hard over the last 3 years to get our MLM business up and running to create a nice residual income stream but it has not come without challenges. The biggest challenge for me has been working out of my home office. I am one that happens to like the structure of an office environment outside of my home so I can be focused on the task at hand without the many distractions that come with a home office.

To create a productive home office work place for our Vemma business these are 10 things I have done that have really help:

1. Schedule work hours: It is extremely important to set work hours no different than going to a job. Many people don't know what to do with the freedom and flexibility of a home business and the day rolls around and nothing was accomplished. Well maybe some things were accomplished like laundry, dishes, vacuuming, eating, emailing, surfing the web, running errands, social media but nothing to move your network marketing business forward. It is very important to schedule time daily and stick to it so it becomes habit. When I treated my home office like my work office is when I really started seeing results!

2. Tell family and set boundaries: Many people are building their MLM business in conjunction with their day job so when you get home from work you may come straight home and dive into working the business. It is important to let you family know that you are doing this for the family to create a better life so you can spend more time with the family. This way your family will respect and appreciate you efforts and give you the quite time you need to get your work done. Create a schedule so your kids and spouse know when it is play time and when it is work time.

3. Do not disturb: Close your door and let others know not to disturb you when the door is close. If the door is open it lets others known that you around and invites family to come in and talk. Before you know it you have waisted 30 minutes of time that could have been spent moving your business forward. This has been my biggest challenge because my home office space, although nice and well set up, is open space with no door. We are in the process of hiring a carpenter to frame out the entry way with a door to my office. The picture above is my office space.

4. Get organized: Set up your office so it is conductive to work which means having the tools to be organized. Some tools may include computer, printer, phone with headset, fax, software to keep you organized, etc.

5. Time for prospecting hours: Set specific time for prospecting where you do nothing but prospect for 1 to 2 hours a day. That means NO email, eating, taking other calls, TV etc. Total focus on prospecting. If you set a specific time within the day and make this a habit you will be amazed at the results.

6. Don't stay unshaved and in your boxers: Get up on the morning go workout have breakfast and head to the shower before starting your day. This was big for me. Early on I would get up check email and before you knew it the clock read 2 PM and I was still in my boxers. Meanwhile I would ask myself where did the day go and what have I accomplished? Oh I know "surfing the web, email, laundry" you know the drill. Get up get your exercise in and head to the show and get dressed as though you are going to work. You will be stunned at how much more productive you will be buy doing this one simple thing.

7. Designated place: Set up a designated work place within your home.

8. Keep your desk and general work area tidy: A tidy workspace helps keep a tidy mind which helps make your day more productive.

9. Get out of the house: It is real important to get out of your home. I can't tell you how many times 5PM has rolled around and I have not left my home office. To stay balanced and not get burned out it is important to leave your home during times of the day. This way you stay refreshed and motivated. Many times I will get up early put in a good 4 to 5 hours and then head to noon swim practice as my lunch break and take a couple of hours away form the home office. Then I come home and hit it hard during the evening hours when people are getting off of work and there are tons of people to talk to.

10. Be grateful you're working from home and not a cubicle: Having a home business and office has many wonderful benefits so lastly be grateful you have a choice.

QFTP (Question For The Post): What have been your home office struggles?