The Secrets to a Stress Free Home Business

In life and in a home business there are many stressful situations. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or just someone starting to work from home the need to be competitive and earn money can be very stressful. Everyday home business entrepreneurs are faced with a whole list of decisions that need to be made.

The secret is to Relax – Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.

Just as in life, there is information coming at you from every direction. This is worse today than ever before. Everything that makes modern communication wonderful – email, texts, YouTube, Facebook – also makes communication a nightmare. Sometimes it is just TOO much. It’s an information overload.

Many new business people and especially home business and MLM networkers hit what is called analysis paralysis. The day you sign up to start your home business you are instantly inundated with emails from your upline as well as from the parent company. There are videos to watch, books to read, company websites to setup and products to try and to understand.  And this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Everyone out there is suddenly a ‘guru’ looking to help you.  All you need to do is sign up for their newsletter or buy there guaranteed program and you will be making money with your home business without even trying.

But along the way, many home business hopefuls get stuck in the trap of trying to learn everything before they do anything.

They become paralyzed.  Always wanting to know how everything works before they move forward with their business. Feeling crushed under the weight of trying to have a blog and a Facebook page and an autorespond system and of course the home parties and contacting the warm market and making the list and…

I mean it is just a little intimidating.

So I say – STOP!  RELAX!!

Go back to the beginning.  Think about why you started this whole thing in the first place.  What made you choose the company you signed up with. What part of this whole thing looked like fun – like something you wanted to do even if it was just a part time kinda thing.

Start there.  Share what you love.  Share what got you excited.  Move toward the stuff you like.  If its being social then get on Facebook and maybe do the home party thing.  If its technical, then write the blog about all the ins and outs of the business or the product.

Find what you love to do, learn how to do it.  Keep playing with it and learning more because you are having fun at it.  Everytime you learn something you are now able to teach the next guy.  You don’t have to have 10 years more experience then the next guy to become his teacher, mentor, coach, upline – you only need to have learned something they don’t know.  Something that helps create success.

So Relax, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.

Learn and Do what you love what you BELIEVE IN. 

TAKE ACTION each day to move forward – no matter how small the step.

BE DETERMINED to be the success you want to be.

And have the CHARACTER to be true to yourself.  Don’t overhype or make false claims.

By being yourself and being relaxed and taking it all with a grain of salt, you will attract people.  People like you.  People you can help and people who will take those same relaxed steps to success that you are taking.

And you know what.  It won’t work for everyone you meet.  Not everyone will be successful.  Not everyone can have the COURAGE to move forward and be a part of the change they want.

But that’s OK.  Don’t take it personally.  Just keep movin’ and grovin’ and doing what is right for you.

THAT is how you will become successful. Because success is not always how fast or how rich or how big you or your business are, it is also how satisfied and how happy and how enjoyable the climb can be.

Just remember these Rules:

Rule 1. Relax – Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Rule 2: In the big scheme of things – It’s ALL small stuff.

The Best Home Business Opportunity

What would you spend to create your future? to find the best home business?

A Franchise?

So you want a business and you are thinking about a Franchise, probably only because you have not been told how many years it will take to pay off that loan for a franchise or how your health may suffer due to stress. You may be stressing over hiring and training all the time, because the people who work for you are just looking for a job. They really don’t care, most of them, if you are successful or not. They just want that paycheck. And if they don’t’ want to come to work; it’s your problem, not theirs. They will just go get another “fast food job “or ask the parents for money. Meanwhile, you will have to do more training. Everyone has a franchise, right? And it is good someone will, as we do need a lot of the businesses that are a franchise. But if you had a choice, would you rather get a loan for $2500, which is the lowest I have found on the list of Franchises, or maybe $7,000, or $66,000 or $250,000 or how about $1,103,500?

Money for Nothin’?

Or how about those commercials on late night TV that promise you hundreds or even thousands of dollars for just working a few minutes a day. It is only $69.95 for the program that’s worth 3, 4 or even 5 times that amount. What they don’t tell you is that just gets you some general information that you could easily find from many other sources. Once they get you on the line they want to sell you every little thing. And of course if you really want to make that money you are told you need to get all these “amazing tools”.

What I don’t get is if it only takes a few minutes a day to make this fantastic wealth why are these people wasting their time trying to sell me something for so little. Are they just that wonderful?!? And if they are so rich and so wonderful why can’t they just give it away?

A legitimate opportunity

I am thankful someone showed me how a very small investment could improve my health, the health of my family and I can share my “wealth” of knowledge. And I will share that knowledge as much as possible and FREE of charge. But what I won’t do is lie to you and say you will make hundreds for doing nothing. You do have to do some work. But I can tell you great success stories just like those commercials. I can tell you of a man who has shared his knowledge, his passion and helped hundreds of others and he brings home tens of thousands every month. And he is not alone.

SO WHAT WOULD YOU SPEND TO CREATE A FUTURE?

WHAT IF…………

• What you spend is tax deductible
• What you earn depends on your dreams and desires
• Time investment is flexible
• You can keep your present job (or not…)
• You have multiple consultants to help run your business, free of charge for the life of your company
• Another company researches and develops the product. ( Their research is one of a kind – Landmark Study)
• Another company does the shipping, the payroll, sales tax
• You have access to International markets.

Does any of this interest you?

• This business involves multiple levels of people marketing. We show you and help you with these other people.
• Over 5 million people are now involved in this type of business and an estimated 12 million will become involved this year. Will you be one of them?
• Does a future you can hand down to your children interest you?
• Every 6 seconds someone turns 50, and they don’t want to be old, but do want health and fortune.
• Have you had anyone lately offer to help you become successful and financially independent? We are offering.
• Do you think trading your time for a paycheck will make you the minimum of $1 million on which to retire?

Everyone networks everyday. We share a good book, a good recipe, a new place to dine, help with an ailment.

Network Marketing today holds the greatest promise of any marketing innovation for accomplishing the goal of educating consumers about new products and services. (Paul Zane Pilzer)

I understand if you are still unsure. The multi-level marketing business has really gotten a bad name and in some cases, deservedly so.

That’s why I want to offer you a *FREE* opportunity to evaluate network marketing, this company and ME.

Successful Training Solutions is a training and evaluation website that gives you the chance to become a part of this opportunity and do so at your own pace with no obligation and no harassment.

Think about it.

Evaluate it.

If you like what you read and saw and you want to take the next step then just click the link to sign up or contact me and we can go from there.

To get started you only need to input your name and email in the form on the right side of the page and your password will be on its way!

In life and in business your belief system is your guide to the steps you take and the paths you follow.

The dictionary defines belief as something you accept as true or real; a firmly held opinion or conviction. Everyone believes in something or someone.  It might be a belief in God, a belief in yourself, or a belief in a system or a set of rules.

It is your set of beliefs and convictions that guide you on the decisions you make every day.  They are the basic premises that form the character, trust and commitment we exhibit.

You are what you believe -

This can be shown in how you interact with others.  For example, my belief in my wife is absolute.  I don’t worry that she will do something to hurt me, our kids, our relationship or our trust in each other.  I have developed this belief over time from the day I met her and for all 18 years we have been together.

This is not a concrete object I can show to others, it is an internal feeling – a belief – I have developed in her because of experience.  I know her, I trust her, I believe in her.

I think we all have at least one person in our life that we can depend on like that.  Someone we believe in.

This type of relationship can be personal like with my wife but it can also be found in business.  It is what we should strive for with the people we work with. If everyone tried to be the person they need to be so that others would believe in them, life and business would be a much better place.

Funerals are one place we get to find out what others thought.  The eulogies and revelations at funerals let us know how important and wonderful a person had been to those close to them.  It shows how others believed in them.

This leads us to quite possibly the most important belief; the ability to believe in oneself.  If you don’t believe in who you are and what you stand for then how can you expect others to have that belief? If you could be the fly on the wall at the meeting you just left or get a preview of your own funeral, would you like what you hear? Do others believe in you, your abilities, and your sincerity?

To succeed in life, in relationships and in a home business you must believe in yourself and the path you are taking. You must be willing to trust your decisions and take the action needed to move forward. You cannot spend every day trying to understand the next step or trying to figure out what to do.

You must believe in order to succeed -

Belief creates fact.

This doesn’t mean you won’t make a mistake or do something wrong, but when it happens you will learn from it and move forward.  The beliefs you have are well grounded and keep you on track.

One way to develop a belief in the home business you start is to find a plan, a coach and/or a system you can trust and believe in.

Your beliefs are the core element needed in order to set up the values of character, commitment, and desire that determine the success or failure you find in life and in business. Always remember – to achieve something requires a faith and a belief in yourself.  It requires vision, hard work, and dedication. But for those that believe, all things are possible.

Trust your beliefs.

Trust yourself.

Believe in yourself!

Character Counts: In Life and in a Home Business

The dictionary defines character as the mental and moral qualities of an individual.

I would define character as the value that encompasses many of your other values such as trustworthiness, honesty, respect, and reliability.  It has been said that character is what you do when no one is looking.

To me character is one of the most important things you possess in life.  Your character defines who you are and how you are viewed by the rest of the world.

It is sometimes hard to put into words exactly what good character is but I think you can understand better by looking at a couple of examples.

• Let’s say you were at the store and your purchase total came out to $7.55.  You give the clerk a $10 bill.  They in turn give you back $12.45 thinking you gave them a $20.  Do you stay quiet and quickly head out of the store or do you hand the clerk back $10 and let them know they made a mistake?
• You are visiting a friend’s house and you break one of their favorite possessions.  You are alone when this happens and you have the chance to put this item back in a corner where no one will notice.  (Let’s even say you are guaranteed that your friend will never know it was you.)  Would you push the item back on a shelf and walk away like nothing happened or would you confess your error to your friend?

Most of us have found ourselves in positions similar to this at some point in our lives.  What did you do?

Your character is defined by the choices you make.  Choices become habit.  Your reputation and how you are treated by others all depend on those habits and decisions that you make your own.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.”

It is the same in life as it is in business.

Home business opportunities are some of the worst when it comes to displaying good character.

There is a whole group of people and even companies set up just to get you and your money.  They stretch the truth and make promises that they never even attempt to deliver.  Their bad character has given home business and especially MLM a black eye.

Remember how your Mom used to warn you about hanging around with those “bad kids”.  She said you are going to be associated with them and their values.  The same has happened with MLM.

Too many people are putting themselves first and making promises they know they can’t fill.

Character in business means being honest with yourself and those you deal with.  Everyone makes mistakes, but almost everyone is willing to forgive those mistakes if you are honest and admit when you have made one.

Just think about the good ol’ golden rule.  Treat others as you would like to be treated.  Think back to when you were first looking to start a business.  What did you want to find?  Did you believe everything you read?  Did you wish you could?  Did you deal with anybody that you felt didn’t have the highest character?  Did you join them?  Do you want to be known as someone like that?

I think it’s is time to take home businesses – especially online and MLM businesses – to a higher level.  Let’s make good character a habit. Treat people with honesty and respect even when we can stay anonymous on the other side of the computer screen…

Good Character does not mean perfection – it means being the best person you can be, admitting when you have made a mistake and then doing what you can to rectify and learn from that mistake.

Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.

Character Counts!

The dictionary defines commitment as the act of pledging oneself to an idea, cause or action.

To me commitment means “sticking it out”.

Every day we set goals – most of them little but sometimes they are big – or we sign up to do something.  It is very important to work at these goals and tasks and keep working on them until they are finished.

Society and our own inner beliefs have given many of us an out that says it’s OK to stop – to quit before you’re done.

I believe this is WRONG.

Quitting is easy.

Once you have tried and quit you find out how easy.  It is even easier the second time.

It is so easy that it soon becomes a habit.  Look around at everything you want and have started.  How many of those things have you finished?  How many do you still want to finish?

It takes courage to finish – to stay committed no matter how difficult it becomes…

Now to the good part -

There is no time limit on commitment.  Goals don’t have to be achieved overnight. The good feeling of accomplishment can show up by just getting a step closer.  Just a little done every day, every week or even every month gets you closer to what you want and what you signed up for in the first place.

And you know what? Achieving a goal and moving forward – staying committed – also becomes a habit.

Those good old fashioned values of character, honesty, integrity, and commitment are still good values to have.

A handshake should still mean something. Your word should still be your bond. Wanting to be your best and live a life you would be proud to share is a good thing.

So commit yourself to working towards your dreams and goals. Don’t settle but instead soar.  Take the steps to move forward to fulfillment and happiness and accomplishment.

And above all don’t think you have to be perfect.  Everyone makes mistakes.  Everyone slips up here and there.  Everyone takes a step or two backwards now and again.

The secret is to commit yourself and keep taking those positive steps.  You will be amazed at the pride and accomplishment you feel and at the ‘good’ things that start happening in your life.

Take Action

“I never worry about action, but only about inaction” – Churchill

“Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it.” – Renard

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me.” – Bombeck

“The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react.” – Shaw

“It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.” – Moliere

How many times do you find yourself driving home from work or school frustrated with your job, your boss and hating it all. I know I have been there many times. As a school teacher I would call my wife and just rant at her about the rotten kids in class and how many days are left before summer break or how many more years I have to put up with all this @#$%#.

But the next day, like you, I would get up and do it all again; usually with the same result.

The Problem – INACTION

After hitting my head on the wall over and over again, I think I have finally figured it all out. (or at least a tiny part of it.)

If you keep doing the same thing over and over you will keep getting the same results, every time!

The Secret – ACTION

Like the quotes found here on the page indicate, Action is what is important. In order to create change you must take action.

It doesn’t matter if you want a new job, a better relationship with your significant other, a lean and mean body full of energy, or anything else you can think of. It is up to you to make those things happen.
Anyone that has ever been successful has the courage to take action and keep taking it until they see the success they want. They are not satisfied with the status quo and they know just complaining about it won’t make it better.

Even those “lucky” people you see who seem to get all the breaks really aren’t as lucky as you think. If you really look, they are always taking some sort of action, no matter how small, that eventually pays off. Most of us only see that payoff but we don’t notice how hard or long they have been working towards their goal.

Luck favors the prepared, those that take action. It happens more for those who are looking for it and who embrace change and take the action to promote it.

So stop dreading those things in your life you don’t like. Take action to change them or you so they become something you look forward to and enjoy.

You don’t have to rearrange you whole life. Quite often it only takes a little change here and there to make all the difference in the world.

I will leave you with this – It is easy to do nothing. It takes courage to change. IF you are serious about being a part of the change then challenge yourself. Have the COURAGE to face your fears – ACTION conquers fear!

Learn to Choose the Right Home Business Opportunity

You find yourself sitting in front of your computer.  You have three different windows open each with a different ‘opportunity’ flashing in your face.

This window screams about the amazing compensation plan you just can’t live without, while that one flashes the “amazing” products they offer across the screen; the products that simply sell themselves.  And finally the third window promises fistfuls of money and a plan that keeps it coming in while you enjoy yourself at the beach.

Like many people around the country you are searching for a better life and a better job.  You have heard good things about the home business industry and you are ready to make the leap.

But like many people you find yourself lost in the puzzle of hype and glitz that has become the home business marketplace.  It’s not a problem finding an opportunity but it has become a huge problem trying to figure out which opportunity it a REAL opportunity.

Let’s try to clear the muddy waters and get down to what really matters.

Every opportunity is just that an opportunity.  It is not a guarantee of success or wealth.  For every home business plan out there you can find someone who has become successful with it and made it big.  But every year some guy also wins the lottery.  This stuff happens but it doesn’t happen for everyone that plays.

Most of those that play lose.  They quit without ever making any real money.  It doesn’t matter how great the product was or how wonderful their compensation plan is, if you don’t have the power to get your message out and the product to the people you will never make any money.

The secret is in the system.

A system gives you a way to generate business and provide service.  It provides you the training to create success.

It also gives you a way to build a business without having to chase people down or become an annoying salesperson who hounds everyone that comes within an arm’s length.

A system is a tool.  It’s a tool that allows you to stand on your own two feet and become a leader and not a salesman.  A system doesn’t always make your job easier but it does make you better and in turn makes your business better.

A system gives you the answer to “What do I do next?”   A good system takes you from a potential candidate to a business builder and it gives you the tools to do the same for others.  It’s like a pipeline with a set of steps that are written down and easy to follow.

In short is system is a blueprint; a set of plans to build success.

So go back and take a look at those opportunities flashing at you from your computer screen.   Take a look to see if they are an established company with a solid track record and a product that you would use even if you weren’t a distributor.

Then be sure that there is a system that will take you step by step from beginning to end and then do it again.

In other words – It’s okay to jump, just be sure where you will land!

A Home Business can give you many Tax Advantages

Tax benefits are one of the many reasons to create a home office. You can realize savings on your taxes that can make having a home office worthwhile even if you are not earning a lot of money.

The first step in realizing the earning possibilities of your Home Office is obvious; you must work and function as a office. Fail to do so and you can never attain the potential profits available.

Establish your Business

Establishing a Home Office is simple, you need to do only three things for the IRS to recognize you as a legitimate business:

1. Name your business. Simple is better than complex for a variety of reasons, but your business name is entirely your choice.
2. Open a separate checking account and use it exclusively for business transactions. One way to keep this separate from your personal accounts is to use a different bank, thereby avoiding inadvertent mixing of business with personal money.
3. Maintain reliable records. Business records are for you; but good records are invaluable to you on many levels, including dealing with the IRS.

Proper documentation is vital when it comes to writing off your expenses for tax purposes.  Without this documentation it is difficult to prove that the expenses was a legitimate business expense.  Keeping good records will protect you in case there is ever a question.

Record Keeping

You should keep records for both your income and expenses:

• Income Records: Any money received from your business should be deposited into your account and kept track of.  You can do it all by hand but modern computer software such as Quicken makes it all much easier.  Be sure to keep everything up to date and balanced.
• Expense Records: You should keep your receipts for any business related purchases.  You will also have a record of the expense on your bank account statement.  If your business has a lot of meals and meetings or travel that you are writing off, a journal or log book is a great way to keep track of these expenses and show they are legitimate.

Legitimate Business Expenses

The IRS recognizes business expenses as anything that is “necessary and ordinary” for the running of your business.

• Necessary expenses: Anything that is essential for running your business.  An online internet business definitely needs a computer with internet service – these are both deductible.  A luxury car probably wouldn’t be for this business unless you could show some pretty good proof that you need it!
• Ordinary expenses: These are things you need as you conduct business everyday. Things like office supplies and postage and handling are good examples.  Whatever you use to conduct ordinary business counts.

Extra Deductions for a Home Business

Because you work from home and have an office in your home you can take off deductions you wouldn’t get if you had a store.

• Home Office Deduction – First, you need to create an office space withn your home.  It doesn’t have to be a separate room, it could be a corner of the bedroom or a desk in the hall.  As long as you have a designated place where you have all your necessary items to conduct business. Now this “space” and its expenses can be written off as a deduction.  For example, if you home is 2500 square feet in size and your office space is 250 square feet, then you can deduct 10% of many or your home expenses.  These expenses include things like your mortgage and your utilities – gas, water, electricity.
• Car Expense Deduction – Everytime you use your car to do something related to you business – go get supplies, go to a meeting, travel to a seminar – you can deduct the expenses of that trip.  The IRS has a standard mileage deduction or you can keep track of actual expenses.  A mileage logbook is a good thing to start keeping with you when you travel.
• Miscellaneous Deductions – there are other Home Business expenses that are beyond the scope of this article. As you conduct Business, they will be recognized if applicable.  A good accountant can help or even computer software like TurboTax will help you find these deductions.

Reporting to the IRS is done on Schedule C, Profit and Loss from Business; Schedule SE, Self Employment Tax, and Form 8349, Home Office Deductions. Obtain copies of these and review their content; you will gain insights into what is expected when it is time to fill them out.

At first glance they may be intimidating, but they are not too difficult. If you have trouble, an accountant or tax software can make you life much easier.

Other Schedules and Forms may be necessary according to the needs of your particular business. IRS Publication 334, “Tax guide for Small Businesses” is available from the IRS.

The internet and computer software has made it possible for almost anyone to successfully run there own business and do there own taxes.  A small home business can be set up and taken care of without the need for expensive outside help.

The tools available for your home computer can help you keep track of income and expenses and prepare that tax forms at the end of the year.  They are not very expensive and they are costs that are deductible!

Accuracy and simplicity are the key words to all of the above; none of it is difficult. Use the benefits of the system to your advantage and realize the maximum profit potentials from your Home Business.  As someone once said, “Its y’all’s money, y’all oughta be able to keep it”

Last but not Least

To be recognized as a business you must actively work your business.  Spend at least 5 hours a week on it and have a real intent of making a profit.  Getting a business name and a separate bank account go along way when proving that you are a legitimate business.

Do these simple things and you qualify for all the tax breaks.

[Click Here] to view more information from the IRS and access the many forms mentioned above.

[Click Here] to view self employed FAQ’s from the IRS.

Working From Home

As I look around at the many things I want to do in my life, one of those is having my own business.

My dad had a business that allowed him to work from home and I thought it was great. I always had access to both of my parents growing up and I think it really made a difference in who I am now as an adult.

More often than not both parents have to work outside the home in today’s society. I know my wife and I are both at work everyday. We are both teachers, so we do have the same time off as our kids do, but I still feel as though all of us are missing out.

Network Marketing

Here is a business opportunity that allows anyone to work from home, set up a home office with all its tax benefits and do it for very little start up costs.

My Mom and partner in my HealthyLife-HealthyPlanet website, has been working in network marketing for almost 20 years and has experienced first hand how to work at home and be her own boss while doing something she loves. And hey, she makes money too.

I  just recently hit the point in my life where I saw this as a great opportunity.

Why Network Marketing?

On my journey of little steps towards positive change in my life I knew that I wanted to change what I was doing. I had worked my way up into the teaching position I wanted and I was seeing success for my efforts, but I was missing something.

I was spending more time with other peoples kids than I was my own.  I had already quit coaching but that wasn’t enough.

There had to be a way I could work at home and make a good income and be there for my children.  And to be honest and maybe even a little selfish, I wanted to find the job that made me happier and excited to get up and go to work.

As I surfed the net, I found many stories of people who were doing exactly what I wanted. They were working from home and taking the time to raise their children and making an income to support their family and in many cases making an amazing income.

I thought if they can do it, so can I. I decided to educate myself about what was available and what they were doing.

My wife and I have both made the commitment to select something that would work for us and our family and then dedicate ourselves to apply the time and perseverance to see it through to success.

In my reading I saw that many people failed and the common thread is that they gave up. They were never really ready for a home business and when it wasn’t instantly successful and they saw it was going to take time and effort they just quit.

I wasn’t going to do that.  When the dust settled, I decided I would still be standing.

Everything I read kept pointing me toward the Internet and network marketing. I had seen my Mom work at this business and even though I had seen her struggle at times I saw her ultimately succeed.

It took me awhile to join the ranks of network marketers. I was skeptical and unsure of the marketing plans of ‘those businesses’. But I just kept coming back. The good seemed to outweigh the things I saw as ‘bad’.

Now I have jumped into the arena of Network Marketing. I educated myself and now realize that this type of business is the answer for me!

I have done quite a bit of research and found my niche.

Now that I found MLM I can see its potential and that of the Internet working together in a perfect marriage.

The Family Business

As I move farther along and learn more I can see that Network Marketing can really be called a family business. I like to think of it as the ‘Mom and Pop’ store from yesteryear where everyone pitches in and helps.

Here are 5 great reasons I think this it true:

1. It allows parents the chance to work from home and create a business schedule that fits their life and their lifestyle.
2. Everyone in the family can get involved and help.
3. The education and learning not only can bring the family closer together but give kids a good life lesson.
4. You have a built in team of specialists.  Everyone is different – the artist, the techie, the socialite – everyone has their own talent that can make the business better.
5. The entire community of network marketers, even those involved with different companies, comes together and helps each other.  It is a big extended family.

So if you are ready to be part of a change but weren’t quite sure where to turn, I urge you to take a look at Network Marketing.  It is not for everyone but it can work for anyone.  It is definitely worth a second look…