Simple things mean so much for a work at home business. After all the business is always past the door steps, and the constant responsibility to keep it running can be over shadowed by wet socks and dirty dishes. By prioritizing and delegating that authority to others in the household business will go on as usual. Of course being a mean monster about it should be done with a family talk about how important the business is to the family’s financial well being. Remember to give jobs to all in the household that is age appropriate. Young children should be taught to pick up their toys, and gradually over time, other responsibilities could include emptying the dishwasher, and dusting areas that are easy to reach. Teenagers can certainly use a lawn mower or weed eater with correct guidance and supervision too.
Spouses can be asked to help out by not only doing the everyday mundane chores, but by enforcing the rules set out in the family talk. They can lend a hand too with entertaining little ones, or working with older teenagers to mower the lawn or fix a leaky water facet that bursts over night. Do not try to do it all it as before because it will not work with an at home business. It is a group effort that needs to be taken seriously, but with a little fun mixed in too. There is nothing wrong with one picking up the slack, and taking responsibility when the other is at work - even if that is in the computer room, or an extra space in the corner. Without spousal support it just will not work.
There are more issues involved for family members than just helping out, it teaches them about respect for others, even if that is just dad or mom, it makes them realize that respect is a two way street. It teaches them to look beyond their selfish attitudes, and helps the family reach its goals for life. More than that it makes them realize that helping others gives them a good feeling. Learning patience is a side benefit of requiring others to help. Later in life they just might thank you for teaching them about reaching goals that will become a life long habit, and it will help them to know how to achieve too. Just as important they will know that failure is a part of it, but getting up and dusting off is part of the game of life.
Learning about business is another benefit for other family members that might not have even been exposed to it. It teaches basic concepts of financial matters; advertising, marketing and human inter relations. Running a family business gives a hint to younger members what it will be like to work and survive in the business world of adulthood. Let them help out if they are old enough with proof reading, and organizing the work area. Talk with them about new ideas for products, and let them give input, no matter how silly it seems, sometimes children have the best ideas. Adults are often to close to the forest to the see the tree, as some would say.
If it sounds like a new job has been taken on with the home business, in a way it has. The benefit is that when these principals are slowly integrated and taught over time, the at home business will continually flourish. No longer will time be spent sweeping floors, picking up messes, or mentally stressed and exhausted physically. Time will be used to grow and develop and market the business, but at the same time it will be with a family that understands it value, and is willing to help. Most of all it will pass down a legacy of love and what it means to succeed in life.
