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[Chris Tryon Company: Jerky Direct Contribution Level: 4]

I thought that I would try something different. Most people that join a home-based business are not accustomed to being self-employed or understand what it takes to own your own business.

What they do understand is working for an employer. Most of them work regular hours. They know what is expected of them to earn a paycheck. Some of these skills can easily be transferred to owning a home-based business.

For example: Treat your business like a job. Work regular hours. Set goals for yourself that you MUST meet on a daily basis in order to earn a paycheck. Be accountable to your sponsor or someone else within your company. If you like, make that person accountable to you. It will keep both of you motivated to work on days that you might not feel like it.

You can also have daily or weekly competitions. One of my former bosses gave us a daily quota to meet. If we met it, no matter how long it took, we could take the rest of the day off with pay.

We also had profit sharing bonuses for those who met their monthly goals. Everyone that met their goal would divide that months' bonus. There were a few incentives to keep us motivated. It also created a little friendly competition among my co-workers. Who doesn't like being #1?

Of course in a home-based business, you write your own paycheck. The more you work, the more you earn. Of course, you do have to be trained properly. That is your sponsors' job. If they aren't doing their part, find someone else in the company who is and have them train you.

Does anybody have any more suggestions that would be helpful to share on this topic? Fire away!

[Alycia Cheatham Company: Scentsy, Inc. Contribution Level: 2]

I tend to agree, most people who venture into the home business arena have little or no business education. I would suggest taking your time in business planning, meaning take it slow, don't be in rush, don't quit your day job; take the slow and steady approach but work hard. Study business, create a business plan, (yes even in network marketing you need a plan) Although to start some network marketing businesses you need little to no cash outlay, however you still need capital to run a home-based business.save it,borrow it, or have a good paying second job!

[Cheryl James Company: Talk Fusion Global Contribution Level: 3]

Oh No... not the "J" word

Great post Chris. Discipline is the first key to success, well maybe action is but you get the idea. I am preparing myself now to take that plunge into networking full time. I know that I need to practice planning my days out now and develop that discipline that it will take to make it through the jungle.

[Ilka Flood Company: SendOutCards Contribution Level: 4]

Hi Chris,

I like your ideas. Especially the one on finding an accountability partner.

One thing I have found to keep me on track is planing what I absolutely have to do the next day. Making a list and scratch the items (or tasks) off as I do them.

[Dave Kotecki Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 5]

Hey Chris!

Good to see you back.
As usual, your content is rockin'.

I love the "back door" way you approach this subject.
Anyone who's been there knows that it's way too easy to slip
into "vacation mode".

I'm looking forward to the time when we meet at an event.

Stop by now and then.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who misses your input.

[Lawrence Bergfeld Contribution Level: 2]

You definitely do have to treat your businesss like a job because if you do not you are not going to get anywhere. People are going to ask us more often for favors and do things for them since we are working our home based business. The reason they ask us for favors is because they want us to be like them and they want to subconciously get us out of the industry. We have to learn how to say no and committ to our hours, because if we do not then we are going to be a wondering generality rather than a meaningful specific.

Lawrence Bergfeld


Learn How To Think Critically
Lawrence Bergfeld
917-399-6207
http://lpb30.bigmlmtruths.com/?mad=48924

[Michael B Wilbraham Contribution Level: 4]

You absolutley need to treat your home business like a job!

If for no other reason than if you don't pull your weight, you can fire yourself!!

Jokes aside - just because you're now the boss, doesn't mean you don't have to work like an employee. In fact you are going to be working like many employees, after all, you are going to be doing ALL the work.

You're not going to be used to it. If you've been a salaried employee until now you will more than likely have been only doing one specific thing. You now need to change that, maybe a whole new skillset or two, it will be HARD...but it WILL be worth it!

That's why so many quit - because it's HARD WORK & they have not been trained to work hard, they are not conditioned for it. So, if you can overcome your natural resistance to hard work, you will succeed.

Stay inspired!

[Gwen Cullifer Contribution Level: 1]

Thanks, Chris....I was just talking to a business partner about this very subject. Why is it so hard to stay focused? We all know we should treat our business as a business, but most people let so many distractions get in the way. This is the hardest thing to overcome and it all boils down to discipline. I am enjoying reading everyone's comments. Thanks again!!

[Chris Tryon Company: Jerky Direct Contribution Level: 4]

Thank you for your replies. As usual, the teacher learns more than the student. This subject is something that I DO need to implement more in my life.

I am already self-employed. I work out my home with my "day job." I do have set hours that I have to work, even though I am paid on a commission only basis. I check in with my supervisor a couple of times a week. Not bad preparation for the real world that is mlm. I know where my talents are. I never have to leave home to work any of my businesses.

The difficulty lies with when I don't have to work my "day job." I know what I should be doing. That is in part where the idea of the accountability partner came from in part. That and the fact that the fastest growing and highest earners in my primary mlm are using this system with tremendous success. I am now committed to their 21 day challenge and you guys are going to hold me accountable. How does that sound?

[Warren Veach Company: State Continuing Education Contribution Level: 4]

Great article Chris!

I find one of the best "tools" you can use to achieve personal accountability, is a calendar.

I know that to many people that seems overly simple, but the very action of writing it down, assigning a task or group of tasks to a specific day and time-frame for working on a task can be very effective.

Not only does it serve as a reminder, but it allows a person to see their day's activities, and obligations, at a glance.

This also helps prioritize the things a person puts on their calendar.

For example, a person might get an invitation to go to lunch or a movie with a friend. By utilizing a calendar, a person might see that if they are supposed to be making calls from 9-11:30AM, then making a 11:30-12:00 might be difficult to do.

Of course, if that lunch/movie is more important than making calls that day, then the schedule can always be altered, although that's where the "priority" part of the calendar comes in. Which is more important, a movie with a friend or the job at hand?

It doesn't matter whether a person uses an online calendar like Google or Outlook, or a phone app, or my personal favorite, a Day Planner.

I like being able to write it down, see it and refer to it easily whether I'm at my desk, pacing while I'm talking or in the car without having to hit a bunch of buttons.