I fell into all the common traps - you know what they are - sleeping in a little longer, going for a coffee with friends, watching a bit of TV (business programs like Oprah or Dr Phil for research purposes of course), doing household messages or shopping whilst out and about, getting distracted by household chores and much more important (I mean interesting) things other than those accounts staring at me from the in-tray on my desk.

I’ve also had to face the fact that it’s pretty lonely at times with the only person to discuss important issues being my dog – and her advice wasn’t much help.

Once I woke up to how I was the problem and realized I would have to get my act together for my home based business to be successful by creating a ‘work’ approach to my business – just as if I was working for someone else, I implemented the following FOUR (4) simple steps.

Step 1- I created physical separation between my home and work environments by converting a spare room that I can shut the door on, into my office. This way I work in my work space and live in my home space.

Step 2 - I created boundaries with family and friends. My rules are that family and friends treat me as if I am away at work in a regular business environment and only interrupt me if there is an emergency that needs my specific attention. Naturally I have interaction when they are around by coming out of the office for breaks and lunch or for agreed interactive times.

Step 3 - I organised a separate telephone line and answering service for my ‘business phone’. So, before 8.00am and after 6.00pm on weekdays plus on weekends or public holidays the answering machine looks after clients in the same way most other businesses do.

Step 4 - I recognized that I don’t have all the answers and certainly can’t do it all on my own. So to break the loneliness and to get rid of the bad advice from my dog, I took a leaf out of the book of most successful athletes and business people - I engaged the services of specialists in areas of skills I lack AND a Coach/Mentor to bounce ideas off or to get meaningful feedback from.

These 4 simple steps have helped me turn my business around from frustration into something that’s both rewarding and fast generating the success I desire from my efforts. Maybe these 4 simple steps can do the same for you.

If you would like help, coaching or mentoring for YOUR business – try Anthony out with a FREE ½ hour telephone consultation about your needs