Home business happiness

Stephen Mistretta
Defining Your Happiness For Home Business Success
You might be saying now "Steve why are you writing an article on happiness? This is a Home Business Site!" The reason is that I estimate that at least 70%+ of you are making the switch to Home business due to lack of feelings of happiness and fulfillment in your life.
For this reason, it is important for you to understand what you really want to achieve from your home business.
Personally, I have been trying to define in my life what really makes me happy and how I can make money at it. What I am looking for is much more than money. I am looking for calm and a sense of peace in my life.
To find out if you are really ready to work for yourself from home? Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you have a hobby that you would do daily for free?
This is one of the keys to success and happiness in a home business. You must have drive and passion in order to succeed. Doing something you really enjoy will help smooth out the bumps in the road. Also, doing something you really enjoy will help you to tolerate the remaining time at your ‘other' job. Please do not choose a home business based only on your perceived earning potential. If you do, the chances are you won't have the long-term persistence needed to succeed.

2. Is it money that you really want or is it the freedom of choice you really want?
This is a critical question because, again, if it is solely money you are looking for you will not have the enthusiasm and passion needed for long-term success. Focus on doing what you love and the money will follow. People will see your enthusiasm and it will spread to your clients.

3. Are people you work with dragging you down emotionally and spiritually?
One thing I know for sure is that I no longer want to be around negative people. Mark Twain has a great saying "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
Everyone knows a person like the character on Saturday Night Live "Debbie Downer." Let's face it, some people are only happy if they are complaining about something or are raining on someone else's parade. Avoid these people at all costs, remember it is better to be alone and focused and passionate about what you are doing.

4. Do you want to start off fresh where you are in control?
Starting your own home business is like having a clean tapestry for painting. You control your destiny. You control what "colors" to use. Think big, never small, and you can do it.
Jeff and I have created our site to help you with home business questions from A-Z, please use it and sign up for our newsletter. We will be updating the site weekly with info to include:
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5. Do you enjoy helping others when you can?
Owning your own business provides you with an opportunity to give back to your community. This also provides an excellent Barter and Networking opportunity. Help as much as you can afford to and these good deeds will come back to help you in the future.
Have faith in the overall good in people but, at the same time, realize that some people might try to take advantage of your generosity. Use bartering in some of the situations to help lower your overall costs.

6. Do you believe in expanding your mind through research and networking?
If you enjoy research you will be well served by starting your own business. You will have to learn some Accounting basics and Marketing skills as well as some Tax basics. Network with people who can help you in these areas. Suggest bartering your services with them. This is a great grass roots way to get advertising for your home business. If you come across a dishonest person, break the relationship as quickly and tactfully as possible - they will only cause you harm and heartache.

7. Are you dedicated and disciplined?
Setting up a schedule and ‘things to do' list will greatly help with your organizational and time management problems. You must be disciplined and stick to your schedule. Complete one task at a time and move to the next. MANY business have failed because of having too many‘ irons in the fire.' This leads to lack of focus, which is one of the number one reasons that businesses fail.

8. Are you prepared to ignore the negative ‘nay Sayers'?
Be prepared to have to ‘cull' some of your friends, There will always be people who are jealous of your drive, passion and determination. Accept that fact and don't let them take up any of your time. If the Nay Sayer is your spouse or another family member, sit them down and tell them how much your new business means to you and your future together. If they cannot be positive, ask them not to comment at all. Usually after family members see how hard you are working they will come around and begin to support you. Try getting them involved with smaller tasks that they can take off your plate.

9. Are you prepared to work at your other job until your Home Business takes off?
This is something that people don't think enough about. You should be prepared to stay at your ‘other' job for at least six months while building your home business. Many people have quit only to find the HB doesn't provide enough immediate income so they have to crawl back to the old job, or worse find another lower-paying job. I personally made this mistake

10. Are you prepared to take an open and honest look at your behaviors?
This is something that I really had to be honest with myself about. For years I had grown a negative attitude, almost to the point that I had a chip on my shoulder. I sat down with an old friend and discussed my situation and he said "Steve your attitude stinks." I was in shock. Upon really looking at my behavior I saw that I had created negative ‘anchors' that were standing in the way of my success. When I looked at a job, all the negative feelings from my previous jobs flooded into me. Be conscious of what you are feeling, and be prepared to eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive. Remember, Bill Gates started in a dorm room, Michael Dell started in a garage. Do not be afraid. You CAN do it - it takes a plan, discipline, hard work and follow through.

In closing, let me say once again that you can do it. You deserve success and the happiness it brings. Franklin D. Roosevelt said "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Don't be afraid - you deserve this success. We all do. Nelson Mandela put our ideas about self doubt and fear far better than I ever could:

"And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
— Nelson Mandella

Now get out there and kick butt. If you would like to contact me please see below.
We are always looking for positive, persistent people to partner with. If we can help you in your success we will be glad to do so.