Written By Ashlee McNicole
(http://ashleemcnicolbooks.com?)

 You are amazing. You: the one who is reading this right now. The one who has decided to not just put her family before herself, but put her dreams right in front of her. You worked for someone else for so long, making their revenue increase every month and spending hours filing paperwork that didn't really matter just to get a paycheck. You needed to pay the bills, so you put up with constant whining and criticism that was only there to satisfy human resources' monthly employee review program requirements. Now, you are here to make things happen. You finally have your desk set up, your clients arranged, and your business ready to be rocked. But you start getting nervous before you start, unsure of whether you will be able to make as much money as you anticipate or at the rate that your former job gave you. Here's the truth: more often than not, the money does not come in heaping amounts nearly as quick. In fact, it may be months before you make anything. While that may be true, consider the idea that you are the average of all of your friends. Your friends may be making more than you right now, working in their corporate jobs, but what happens when they plateau and you keep going up? That is the beauty behind owning your own business. There are downsides, of course, which we will cover at a separate time, but owning your own business puts the ball in your court. You are responsible for making money and deciding how much money that will be. During the initial transition, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself for success. Consider these three areas:< ul>
  • Finances
    • < /ul> Budgeting is important and finances are one of the biggest family problems in the world. You may be taking a pay cut, so take a look at your monthly budget. Here's a sample one that may be of use to you if you don't have one already:< p class="p1">Rent: $900

    Groceries: $400

    Insurance: $180

    Cell Phone: $150

    Internet: $40

    Water: $50

    Electricity: $100

    Gym Membership: $50

    Student Loans: $100

    Total: $1970/ month

    < p class="p1">You need to remember to calculate for taxes, but taxes aside, that puts your required annual income at $23,640. Think about the expenses you have, and create a system to make as much money as you need to in order to make ends meet.



  • Health
    •  Just because you are working from home does not mean you should be denying the gym, going on walks, or eating healthy. Focus on prepping your snacks and meals in advance so you stay healthy and happy. Remember to calculate calorie and food requirements based on your BMI. There are several meal plans you can find online. Pinterest is also a great resource for cheap and easy snack ideas.< ul>

  • Happiness
    • Above anything else, you need to be sure you are still attending to the family the way you need to. You are a wife, a mother, and a nurturer. It is important for you to help you family, and encourage them to thrive. Working from home is a great opportunity to make time for that and show them what you can do. Be sure to set time aside for them and put your laptop away. Don't forget, you also need to make time for yourself. What are the most important values in your life? How can you use working from home to get closer to them?