Set Boundaries

Homebased entrepreneurs often find it difficult to maintain the boundaries between work and business.

  • Set business hours-and keep them. Let your clients know whenyou're open for business and that when it's 5 or 6o'clock, the office is closed.
  • Get a dedicated business phone that routes unanswered callsinto voice mail or an answering machine. After hours, even ifyou're still working, let the equipment take the call.
  • Use a pager, especially if you travel or have a number ofclients outside your local area. Tell your clients to page you, andthen you control when to return the call.
  • Finally, encourage your clients to use faxes and e-mailwhenever possible. That means always keep your fax machine on, andcheck your e-mail regularly.

Excerpted from Get Smart: 365 Tips To Boost Your EntrepreneurialIQ

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