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Strategies for Survival In Tough Economic Times

Work At Home Malaysia — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:42:27 +0000

How to Keep Your Boat Afloat

There is no avoiding it now. Words like “Economic Recession” and “Economic Contraction” are out in the open. They are talked about on cable TV news almost on a daily basis. Wall Street brokers and traders are losing their lucrative jobs left and right. Small business owners are concerned about their product sales and credit lines. College students wonder about their future job prospects. And the average worker is trying to make their paycheck stretch beyond the end of the month.

Whatever the causes had been that led us to this path, one thing seems clear: We are changing from a thriving economy to a surviving economy. Much energy has been spent on political debates and government bailouts as means of economic rescue. As frustrating as it can be, such efforts need to continue for the health of the country. But for the individual and the families that care about their own chances of survival in a very challenging economic environment, are there strategies they can employ right now? The answer is a definite “Yes”.

What are some strategies you can use to survive in tough economic times?

Number One – Be still and know

Before you engage yourself in a fishing expedition for jobs or income sources, you need to take time to be still and know where you are spiritually. No matter what kind of a boat you are in at this moment, it helps to know that you have intrinsic value beyond that of a fishing machine. It helps to know that with all your hard work, you are not in control of the weather elements or the ocean conditions. You can still experience love and share love with others even in a hard economy. This core value of your life will be your anchor.

Number Two – Be aware and prepare

Take a look at your boat and your net. It doesn’t matter how big or how small the boat is, just make sure that the boat is in good repair and the net is mended. When things slow down, it’s a good opportunity to give attention to areas of neglect. Are there leaks in your cash flow where you can stop the expenses? Are the emergency supplies adequate if you should run into a storm? This is the time to reduce the excess and replenish the essentials. The security of having basic survival tools on hand will give you peace of mind and release you to apply your energy in productive directions.

Number Three – Be in community and share

This may sound strange, but healthy giving generates a healthy flow of resources and good will among the members of a caring community. It motivates and energizes the giver as well as the receiver with genuine kindness. Say you are doing your fishing by day, perhaps you can lend or rent some of your equipment to your neighbor who does fishing by night. In turn they can offer you some of the extra fish they catch out there. Carpooling for shopping trips and school activities not only saves precious gas, it builds friendship between families. And a burden shared is only half as heavy; a joy shared is double the encouragement.

Number Four – Be bold and adjust

If you are not catching much fish where you are at, why not throw your net on the other side of the boat? It may not be necessary to abandon your current course to chart in new waters altogether, but it is worth your experimenting to enlarge the territory you are fishing in. Sometimes a small turn can yield surprising results. For example, if your investments have been exclusively with the US companies in the past, maybe it’s time to do some good research into the international markets and make small investment in selected stocks there. If your restaurant is not pulling in as many diners as you wish, perhaps you can offer value-meals as carry-out items and promote them with posters on your windows?

Number Five – Be resourceful and grow

One of the good things that have happened in this challenging economy is that a record number of people are utilizing their local libraries a lot more frequently than before. Libraries are also acquiring more resource material to meet the ever-increasing demand. Among the resources they offer are: movies on DVDs, educational videos on a wide variety of subjects, newspapers and magazines for children and adults in different languages, job-hunting and work related books and references, books on counseling for family relationships and life crisis situations, meeting events for community and professional groups, etc. You can find helpful material for free entertainment, personal growth as well as professional development in most libraries. The large bookstore chains such as Borders and Barnes and Noble also allow readers to access their brand new books on hot topics about creating a new business or finding a new job for yourself in today’s changing market.

Number Six – Be creative and save

Look at saving money as a fun game instead of a hard discipline. Free tips can be found online for more frugal living. Sometimes you may still want to have a treat though. If you go out for family night pizza special, you can order a big house salad to share instead of individual appetizers. In some Chinese restaurants one entry dish often contains plenty of food for two to share. Many people are trading their cars for scooters or opting to ride the train for work and leisure trips. Visit a forest instead of traveling to another city. Find small gifts and pretty gift bags in dollar stores for your casual parties. You will delight your friends without the burden of spending a fortune.

Number Seven – Be ready and act

Small efforts to improve a job skill or strengthen a network relationship are good starting points. Give yourself small goals so you will not become overwhelmed. If you lose a job, you need not feel shame since most people can relate to your condition these days. If you have a small business, contact your existing customers to be in tune with their current needs and seek ways to meet those needs. If you are a professional service provider, broaden your exposure and sharpen your focus. Be willing to develop depth in your knowledge to take your service to a higher level. Work together with a partner if necessary to offer backup support and quality assurance.

In a tough economy it takes patience and steady steering to stay afloat, but your boat will be safe. Your fish will come to your net.

By : C. Spring Stillman

Strategies for Survival In Tough Economic Times is a post from Work At Home Malaysia Blog. Follow Our Updates on Facebook and Twitter

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Work At Home Tips For Homeschooling Moms

Work At Home Malaysia — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:22:16 +0000

A mother’s most important job is raising her children, getting dinner on the table and administering an ample dose of hugs and kisses at bedtime.

Mothers have that role pretty much under control so what about working from home?

A work-at-home mom really is working two jobs at once and the biggest challenge for a mother is learning to do both in harmony.

There are some tips and tricks every work-at-home mother should utilize.

It is important to understand that mothers are individuals and in a work-at-home setting what may work for others may not be what works best for everyone.

Mothers should feel free to experiment and discover what works for them and for their families.

Home Business Setup Tips

When operating a business from home it is important to do so from a designated area. Making sure this area is clean, well-organized and well stocked with essentials will alleviate frustrations, which may be caused by trying to find the phonebook or stapler in a hurry. This should be carried over to the lives of the children in the home as well, after all if Johnny can find his crayons easily he will be less likely to bug mom during work hours.

An office area should include any tools necessary to complete daily work such as a computer, Internet access, a telephone, cell phone and fax machine if applicable for the particular job being done. Along with all of these things perhaps the most important tool needed is privacy and freedom from distraction.

Tips for a Successful Work-At-Home Day

There are some simple steps that can be taken in order to enjoy a productive work-at-home day. The first is to set a schedule and stick to it. In order to have a stress-free day the work day should begin at the same time every day, focus on objectives, schedule breaks and plan ahead for any foreseeable variations to that schedule.

It is important to understand that children will be more accepting of schedule changes if they know they are coming and they know the game plan for the day. If breaks are normally taken at 2PM for homeschool or story time, be sure to discuss any changes in advance. For example, Jenna will be less agitated if she knows in the morning story time will have to wait until 2:30 and then is reminded of this again at lunch. By keeping them apprised of the situation children realize they are a priority and their special time has not been forgotten.

What Every Work-At-Home Mom Must Remember

Above all else, a work-at-home mother must make time for her own well-being and her own personal life as this will help to keep the stress factors to a minimum. Parents must remember to get a good night’s sleep each night, exercise each day, make time for themselves, say no to clients in unrealistic situations, and network. There are many groups designed specifically with networking for work-at-home moms in mind, they are a great resource for advice, support and even clientele.

Work At Home Tips For Homeschooling Moms is a post from Work At Home Malaysia Blog. Follow Our Updates on Facebook and Twitter

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The Negative Side of Working from Home

Work At Home Malaysia — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:50:55 +0000

Working from home is a very attractive option for people looking to leave their mean bosses behind at their dead end jobs, but there are some downsides to exchanging your high-heeled pumps and Kenneth Coles for bunny slippers.

Long and Late Hours

Most people decide that they want to work at home so that they can spend more time at home with their families, but sometimes the opposite occurs.

A traditional job may be stressful, but its duration is usually a set amount of hours – most people work from approximately nine to five.

Certain work-at-home jobs require more than eight hours a day to make a living.

Some workers will find themselves working 12-15 hours a day and late into the night to make the money they require.

Especially when a work-at-home job demands long hours in front of the computer, there is the possibility that you will end up working late into the night to get the job done.

This can make it impossible to spend any quality time with family and friends.

Money Isn’t Guaranteed

True independence in working means that you do not rely on anyone else for money.

So when you decide to work independently, you no longer have the security of a regular paycheck to pay your bills.

Your payments will most likely come sporadically and from many different sources.

If there is a slow season, your income will be even more spotty.

It is an unnerving situation when you don’t know when your next pay day is coming and you have bills that are due.

You also have to take on the role of bill collector in many cases when clients don’t want to pay up on time.

Remember, when you work for yourself, you are all departments of your own firm.

Isolation

Another disadvantage to working from home is that your social circle may shrink.

Many people develop friendships and bonds with people they work with at traditional jobs.

These friendships will never form if you are toiling in a home office all day.

Think about it; beyond college and high school, where do we meet the majority of our close friends?

Also, large companies usually throw holiday parties, birthday parties, and social events for the benefit of their employees.

This is no longer a perk if you are working at home.

If you work and live alone, your company holiday party will consist of you, a bottle of Jack, the mistletoe, and your computer.

While there are very big advantages to working on your own, such as freedom from a boss and making your own hours, there are also many disadvantages that should be taken into account before making that big step.

Do research on the work-at-home field you are thinking about entering to be sure that you are making the right decision for your particular lifestyle.

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Where Should You Locate Your Home Office ?

Work At Home Malaysia — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:53:16 +0000

If you are starting a small business at home, it is a good idea to give some serious thought to the location of your work from home office.

A well-placed work at home office will create an environment that is conducive to work, helping you to achieve success on a day-to-day basis.

The best place for a home office is in a spare room, so that you can shut the door at the end of your working day and “go home,” leaving your work behind.

If possible, the spare room should never be used for any other purpose.

Therefore, setting up a home office in a guest bedroom is not ideal, as even infrequent visitors will inevitably have an impact upon your work environment.

If a completely spare room in your house is not available, why not use a summer house or even a shed in your garden?

There are some companies that supply purpose-built home offices in summer houses, so that your office will be fully equipped, down to the last power point.

Converting your garage into a home office is another option.

If, however, you do not have a garden or garage and/or your space is severely restricted, you can still set up an effective home office by making creative use of your available space.

Try to find a location or locations where your home office is not likely to interfere too much with your home life and where it will be as unobtrusive as possible.

For example, it is better to work on your laptop on the kitchen table and hide your filing cabinet in a cupboard underneath the stairs than it is to set up a home office in a corner of your living room or bedroom.

It is very difficult, if not impossible, to relax in the same room as your work, as your office corner will be a constant reminder of unfinished work and stress.

Before making the final decision on where to locate your home office, ask yourself these questions:

Will I be able to “shut the door” on my work when the working day is over or at least hide it away?

Will I be as free from distractions and interruptions as possible?

Is the view from the window(s) likely to inspire rather than distract or de-motivate me?

Is there sufficient natural and artificial light?

Is there enough space for my desk, chair, filing cabinet and other furniture?

If the answer to all of these questions is “yes,” go ahead and set up your home office.

If you have considered all of the issues, the chances are that you will have found a successful location for your work at home office, where you will reap the benefits for many years to come.

Photo Credit – ishane

Where Should You Locate Your Home Office ? is a post from Work At Home Malaysia Blog. Follow Our Updates on Facebook and Twitter

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