If you are running a home-based business, your family and friends often forget that you are still working. You are considered to always be available, even though this is far from the case. The holidays exacerbate this issue, as the demands of the season, and the need to spend quality time with your family is compounded.
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Remember that home-based business owners do not always have the luxury of taking paid time off, particularly during the holidays when some retail-based businesses earn a significant portion of their annual income. With that in mind, here are some tips designed to help you keep your home-based business running efficiently throughout the holiday season.
- Consider Altering Your Expectations Just a Little — As you are working from home, remember that one of the primary benefits is the flexible lifestyle that this affords. During the holidays, try working in chunks of time as opposed to the traditional eight hours at a stretch. You can fit in time between games with the kids to answer a few emails. While the turkey is roasting in the oven, you can hammer out that press release that you have been itching to write. The key is to focus on quality time with your family while still being able to mix in the appropriate amount of time with your business.
- Ask the Family to Help — During the holidays, you often have a slew of helpers on hand. If you need envelopes addressed, ask for a few people to help, get it done quickly, and then go out and celebrate. In essence, use the people around you to involve the whole family in the business and they will grow to appreciate all that you have accomplished.
- Take Some Time Off — Some home-based businesses go through a down season during the holidays. While this is a bummer for your revenue, you have likely planned for this eventuality. You might as well take advantage of it and take some much needed time off. This will allow you to spend quality time with family and friends without having to worry about what is happening with the business. Make sure to communicate to all affected parties that you are taking some time off so that they will understand where you are and when they can begin to expect you to be back at work again.
- Switch off the Mobile Devices — Mobile technology is likely an essential part of your home-based business. This is a great thing as it enables you to be involved with your company wherever life might take you. At the same time, you do need to switch off the devices at times to get your life back. Do that for the holidays and your family and friends will be much happier with you, and the time will be more enjoyable.
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If you follow these few tips, you can strike a healthy balance between the holidays and your home-based business.
