I’ll admit it, I love analogies. I like to hear others versions, I like to give analogies and I enjoy thinking through similarities between analogical circumstances. That’s a mouthful! Michael Gray says over using analogies is like wearing dirty underwear, so I’ll keep it brief–no pun intended–seriously.

My daughter told me her tooth felt a little funny the other day and then she said it was fine.  Right! I looked in her mouth to check for any obvious signs of tooth pain-dark spots or wiggly teeth. All that could be seen was a tiny dark spot or crevice really. It may be a cavity, so we’ll have it checked out.

Then the wheels started spinning. I thought about how it’s really easy to ignore small dark spots in our lives or even in our businesses. But just because you ignore something doesn’t mean it goes away. Whether you are a leader or are taking someone else’s lead in your online job work it’s important to not overlook potential large scale problems. It may come in the form of a pesky relationship, poor customer service or staying silent about something that can be improved on. Address the issues at hand while they’re small and they won’t take over your business.

Staying on top of the dark spots will keep you ahead of the game and allow you to focus on what you do best-your job. It may be a little painful on the front end, but dealing with it now will prevent you or someone else from coping with a giant of a problem later on.

As I get ready this morning, I have a few thoughts running through my head. I’m feeling a little guilty. Why? Well, I’m heading off to a networking group this morning, a littler master-minding to expand my network and just improve my skills. No harm done, right? I’m also getting ready to leave for 4 days next week on my first business trip in well … years. I am so psyched about the opportunities ahead of me, but feeling a little guilty as well. I’ve never been away from my children for more than a day. Before you hit, “Leave Comment” I know, I know, I’m a person too who has to have a balance and take care of my business and myself, not just my children.  I’m working on that, that’s why I’m going to my meeting and on my business trip.  

I found a tender post by another Mom, Beth, who shared some of her guilty moments. And although, we don’t share the same guilty moments, we can connect over guilt in general. Like, Beth said, there’s enough to go around.  

So, my challenge to you today and the weeks ahead, are to find time for yourself. Absolutely make your children a priority but likewise make continuing your education and expanding your business skills a priority as well. There is not no time like the present to grab a hold of these small opportunities and improve what’s important to you. I know for me, when I do something for myself, whether it’s grabbing coffee with my girlfriends or networking (over coffee, of course) it makes me a more whole person and just a better person all around.  It makes my online job work for me and my family. So, what makes you a better person? I’d love to hear your tips.      

Whenever you hear the words free work from home jobs, like me, you might imagine someone stuffing envelopes full of I don’t know what for a nickel an envelope. Thankfully, with computers and the internet, practically any job that utilizes a computer can be done from any location. This goes the same for the advances in the work from home market.

Recently, on the Work from Home Site blog they highlighted some positions that can be done from home minus the envelope stuffing. One of my favorite ideas is selling from home. No longer are people exclusively selling makeup, candles and skin care products, but you can actually run your own business online, setting up your own e-bay store, for example.

Another idea is outsourcing services or working in freelance. Many artists and writers make a living (granted sometimes limited-where do you think the term “starving artist” came from?) contributing to various magazines or other reputable publishing agencies.

There are many options to consider when looking for a work at home position. I always recommend doing a little self-evaluation, determine what your strengths and weaknesses are, and then tap into available resources. Research what it will take to work from home, find a mentor(s), join a networking group (online or in your city) and determine if you can take the leap.

As an entrepreneur, there’s nothing I enjoy more than attempting something new. The reality is that there is always risk involved. But that’s part of the beauty of starting a business venture, you determine how well it will do and how quickly it will succeed. No one will care about your business as much as you do.

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When you have an online job work at home or own your own business, there are times when it’s easy to keep doing what you’ve been doing. We can easily become complacent with the results we’ve always gotten-even if they’re good. The key to maintaining a competetive business is to not be satisfied with being average.   

A great approach I read about in John Jantsch’s Duct Tape Marketing is to partner with other businesses. Find a like-minded company and join forces. This is a great opportunity to refer clients who may be a good fit for your partnering business or a time when a packaged deal would fit multiple needs of the client. This would be considered a holistic approach.  

A smart article written by Jon Keel of Improved Results states that in an age of higher gas, food and travel costs you can fight the recession by taking some simple steps in your own business. “It takes hard work, smart marketing, and a continued emphasis on underpromising and overdelivering.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.  

If you’re in a position where you’re feeling the pain of stretching a dollar and what you’ve always done isn’t working for you any longer, doing one or all of the above could give your business the push it needs.  Growing your business won’t be pain-free, but who ever said success comes easy.

I’ve met with many people, moms, single folks trying to get ahead of the game and in general people who are looking for a change of pace who are considering working from home.

There are two aspects of working from  home that present problems to most who are interested.  The first, is locating a legitimate position which will allow them to work from home. Some will be able to make the switch from working for their employer, and maintaining their current position-just from home, with ease. Others will be pursuing a new position altogether. This can be difficult now that any schmoe has a computer and may be making you offers for jobs you didn’t even apply for (screams scam, huh?).  Check out Work at Home Scam Guide and Fraud Aid for more information. And there really are a large percentage of work from home offers that turn out to be no good. But on the other hand, there are the legitimate businesses who employ real live people to do real live work. A majority of the time, you will have to seek them out, they will not be sending you e-mails wanting to pay you $500 a week to lick their envelopes. 

 The second problematic area can be once you’ve landed a work from home gig is that your online job work, routine and family are now all running together.  Finding and maintaining a balance can be a challenge regardless of what you do, but finding that rhythm will benefit you and your family. Get yourself organized, make a plan and stick to it.  This will not only make you a better business owner/worker, but a better parent, spouse and friend.

 As with any aspect of our lives, finding the right balance can be a challenge, but the rewards you will reap will increase your productivity and duplicate itself in other areas of your life.