Tax Professional at Work

Letting People Know You Really Are in Business

Some are under the misconception that because you work from home, your time is up for grabs.  You may get calls from friends and family to babysit, run errands or just talk on the phone because they don’t yet value your time as a business owner.But as you already know, time is money, and you’re not home because you’re independently wealthy; you’re home because that is the most economical way to run your business.  In order to communicate that with your family and friends, you need to establish firm boundaries that let them know you’re serious about your tax practice.  Once you do, you’ll find that others are more respectful of your time.The following 5 tips will help:

1. Set regular business hours.

Whether you work from 9 to 5, from 6 to 2, or 7 to midnight, you need to establish regular business hours, and then communicate those business hours to friends, family and clients.  Once you do, it’s important that you honor them, politely informing personal callers that you’re on the clock and would happy to return their calls later.

2. Use a business line.

Depending on your situation, it may be easier to avoid those personal calls altogether by using a separate business line.  Do not answer your home phone during your regular business hours, and don’t distribute your business number to friends and family without telling them it is only to be used in times of emergency.

3. Be honest.

If someone places a personal call during business hours, remind them that you’re working.  The only way you’ll get people to believe that your home business is a priority is if you remind them.  When you deviate from the boundaries you set, by casually talking to friends when you should be working, you’re sending the wrong message and will continue to have people interrupt you when you could be making money.

4. Just say “no.”

If someone asked you to watch their kids while you were scheduled to work at a full-time job, you wouldn’t hesitate to say no.  Just because you are your own boss now doesn’t mean you have to say “yes” every time someone calls asking for a favor.  While there’s nothing wrong with helping a friend out now and then, if you get into the habit of agreeing to help everyone, you’ll have no time to invest in your business.

5. Ask for support.

Let your friends and family know that you want your business to succeed and will need their help to see it happen.  Requesting their support may help them feel responsible, in part, for your success.  You may find that your request will be honored simply because you asked for their help.

Your business can succeed as long as you make it a priority.  Once you establish firm boundaries with family and friends, and ask for help when necessary, you’ll find that they will respect your intentions and perhaps become your greatest allies.For other resources in helping you establish a thriving tax practice, visit Universal Accounting Center.