Top Five Questions To Ask Yourself Before Starting A Business ...

Starting a business is exciting ... and scary. One of the best ways to boost the excitement and shrink the fear is by being prepared.

While it's difficult to plan for every possibility and challenge that may occur, you can get yourself on the path to success by considering these five questions before jumping in with both feet.

1. Have I set goals and do I have a plan for reaching them?

As the proverb says, "He who fails to plan, plans to fail," and this is especially true when starting a business. Without a clear idea of where you want to go and how you plan to get there, you may find yourself stumbling through the stages of starting a business and facing unwanted stress and frustration.

One of the most important steps is setting goals that outline what you want to accomplish in the short term (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, etc.), as well as over the long term (2 years, 5 years, etc.). Once you have created your goals, it's time to make sure you have a plan for your business that will guide you along the way. It's also helpful to understand your motivation for starting a business in the first place.

2. Will I be able to follow my plan without breaking any laws or regulations?

There are a number of legalities that you should consider when starting a business. Here is a list of some of the legal areas you should explore:

• Deciding on the structure of your business (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company)
• Registering a business name
• Obtaining necessary licenses and permits
• Planning for business taxes

3. Have I fully considered the financial implications of starting a business?

Money is a major concern when you start a business, especially if you will be leaving behind a steady paycheck and if your business has significant start-up expenses.

Some business financing options to consider to ease the financial transition include starting your business on the side while continuing to work full time, working a part-time job until your business becomes established, waiting to start your business until you have saved up a financial reserve, and borrowing the necessary funds to bridge the gap.

4. Is my support network in place?

We accomplish very little in life completely autonomously, and the same is true in business. Even if you plan to be a sole proprietor, you can benefit tremendously from creating an external support system to keep you on track.

Your support network may include family, friends, colleagues, a mentor, a coach, and anyone else who can help you navigate roadblocks. When you have an effective support system in place, you will find that you have a cheerleader, consultant, moral support and even a devil's advocate when necessary.

5. Do I have what it takes to make it as a business owner?

Being a successful business owner requires a unique mix of personality and small business character traits. While there isn't a standard formula that makes one type of person more successful than another, some entrepreneur-friendly personality traits that can ease the process of getting started as a business owner include passion, drive, dedication and self-discipline. And it doesn't hurt to be an effective communicator and someone who is willing to take measured risks.

These five questions are likely to spur a few more specific to your situation. Now is the time to consider all of the possibilities ... then you can let your enthusiasm trump the fear.

http://sbinformation.about.com/od/startingabusiness/tp/questions.htm

Working From Home ? 5 Simple Tips That Will Stop You Going Insane ...

Are you working from home this week? It can be all too easy to stay in your pyjamas, sit on the sofa and be distracted by Loose Women. But it doesn't have to be this way...

1. Stay social

Though working from home may give you a welcome distance from the office politics, never underestimate the importance of interpersonal contact in the working day.  'If you're an extrovert you might need company after only a short time,' says Judy Heminsley, author of Work From Home.  'Introverts tend to be happier in their own company, so it's important to regularly plan contact into your diary.'

On days when there’s no face-to-face time booked in, you should still keep in touch with people, explains occupational psychologist Suzy Dale. ‘Check in with others remotely at least once through social media and emails,’ she says. ‘The temptation to stray on to Facebook or Twitter may be greater, but while you're updating, remember your boss could be watching. Apply the same common sense approach as you would in your workplace.'

2. Dress to impress 
You’re not expected to pick out your best skirt suit and splash on a full face of make-up for a day in front of your laptop, Suzy Dale recommends that you stick to your morning routine as you would for a day in the office. ‘While working in your PJs may be more comfy than your normal work clothes, it does not encourage you to get into the right psychological mindset for a day's work,’ she says. ‘A smart-casual approach is best.’

3. Set yourself deadlines
There are tendencies both to underwork and overwork when you run your own schedule. The best advice for structuring a day’s work at home is timing. Suzy says, ‘Generally, it is best to stick to your usual office hours. This automatically gives you a structure and helps to focus attention. The key is to be pragmatic. Break up the day by setting yourself deadlines to keep things on track, then take a short comfort break after each.’

Judy Heminsley agrees: ‘The post-lunch afternoon slump is a classic sluggish time of day,' she says. 'Use this time to get out for some fresh air - moving your limbs and changing your environment will refresh your mind as well as your body.’

4. Plan your meals
In a lot of ways, following your own eating routines is healthier outside of the office environment, explains Judy Heminsley. She says: ‘Working from home means you can listen to your body instead of trying to conform to the conventional break and lunch times.’ You must try to avoid the natural temptation for these to break down into all-day snacking, Suzy Dale advises. ‘Sticking to good eating habits is important for a productive day. If necessary, keep a bowl of fruit nearby so you don’t find yourself gravitating towards the kitchen each time.’

5. Suss Your Space
If you don’t work from home regularly you may not have a home office, but this is not always important for the quality of work. ‘It's really important to set aside a physical area for work and keep the bedroom off-limits as your sanctuary,’ says Suzy. ‘This helps with concentration, and sends out a message to others that you take your working time seriously.’

http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/544022/working-from-home-5-simple-tips-that-will-stop-you-going-insane.html#