Keeping Your Head Above Water Or What It Takes for Success Online

Not always easy is it.

Many times,we feel we are drowning.There
is so much to do,so much to remember,
not so much time to do it all.

Running your own business is one of
the most rewarding things you may ever
do.But it can be overwhelming at
times, leaving us exhausted and frustrated.

Especially running an online business....
way to many folks come online thinking
that this will be a cake walk.I mean,how
hard can it be,you throw up a site,join a
few affiliate programs and bam...
you're rich.

WRONG...running an online business takes
as much time,dedication,and planning as
it takes to run a brick and mortar
business.

Yes,you can sit in front of your computer
in your jammies,or even naked if you prefer,
makes no difference to me,or anyone else...
but if you don't have the time and dedication
to commit to your business,and if you don't
have a plan of action, you will find yourself
drowning.

One of the MAJOR reasons for business
failure is lack of planning.You don't
need a long drawn out business plan,
you can simply write down what you need
to do in order to be profitable.

Include these points.

Goals and Financial Projections....

Start with the short term....you can
adjust and expand as you go.Ask yourself....
Where do I want to be in 6 months,
in 1 year....and what am I going to do
to get there.Think about what it will
cost you to reach your goal.

Add up your monthly costs...i.e. web
hosting,list hosting,monthly subscription
costs,the cost of purchasing tools to use,
learning materials,coaching,advertising
or any of the other little monthly payouts
that sneak up on us and eat up our monetary
resources.Ask yourself if you can really
afford to purchase that $100 learning
system or if you should look for a less
expensive alternative.

In todays world,many people are coming
online looking to earn a living because
they have lost their jobs,or they need to
supplement their income.You don't have a lot
of extra money to waste.You need to be
brutally honest and realize you may have
to do without that latest,gauranteed to
make you a millionaire overnight,$1000
e-course.

Plan Your Work Daily

Also known as 'the to-do list'.I don't
know what I would do or where I would be
without my daily list...yes I live with
lists...I have to...I run two businesses,
one on-line and one off line,plus I am
the chief care giver for my disabled
husband...so without my lists I would
surely drown.

Along with your goals and financial
projections you want to write down what
you are going to do daily in order to
reach your goals.Don't rely on your
memory...it's not that good.

You need to be incredibly disciplined to
succeed online,and even though most
business owners are,it can become hard to
'stay on task' with no boss to keep you
moving,especially working from home.

Set business hours for yourself and stick
with those hours.At least try to...at times
you will need to extend those hours.When you
run your own business online you must be
prepared for long hours.

Take Care Of Yourself

Probably the most over looked aspect of
your business plan.In fact in some business
plans I've seen there is no space for
taking care of yourself.So why do I recommend
that you include this in your plan.

Because you are important...you are number
1...without you your business will not go.
That's why taking care of yourself is so
important.

Make sure you eat properly,schedule in
lunch and breaks,just as if you were
working at an offline job.Being properly
nourished and rested is crucial to your success.

Give yourself a day off.Most business owners
will argue with me on this,but I stick to my
guns here...you need to get away,you need
to connect with family and friends.Even if
its taking the kids to a movie,or lunch with
friends,or taking a walk...you need that
time away from the computer.

Other Tips for Success Online

Stay away from the phone....that's what
answering machines and caller ID are for.If
it isn't a call concerning your business
don't answer it.

Keep friends at bay....don't let them just
drop in for coffee because they know you work
from home and will be home.Encourage them to
call first and then let them know when you
can take a break.They will understand.

Keep the T.V. off....this is a sure time
waster.At my house my office was moved
due to the fact I had to move our bedroom
downstairs because of my hubby's illness.
So my office became the bedroom and I am
in a corner of the dining area.My husband
spends his days reading and watching t.v.
and I found myself distracted and turning
around to watch....I took to wearing my
headphones and listening to music.Problem
solved with the added benefit of calmer nerves
....the noise from the t.v. had me all
jumpy and unable to concentrate.

Which, of course, leads me to say...try
to have your office in a quiet area of
the house and let your family know that
it IS an office.They shouldn't be constantly
interrupting you while you are working.With
small children this can be a challenge,but
it can be accomplished.

In conclusion....if you don't plan your
business,if you don't give yourself the time
neccessary to run your business,if you do not
take your business seriously...that water will
creep up over your head.


By careful planning and prioritizing you
will keep your head above water and
experience success.

_______________________________________________________
Margaret Waletzko is the owner of AplusBiz Marketing
http://aplusbizonline.com The AplusBiz Marketing
Journal
http://aplusbizonline.com/subscribe.htm The Marketing
Journal Blog http://apbpointofview.blogspot.com
And is a successful affiliate marketer.Contact her for
help in getting your business on the right track
mailto:aplusbiz@supwi.com
________________________________________________________

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