Of course we cannot always be in control—especially with our home businesses. Not to mention, there is a big difference between maintaining some elements of control and being controlling (or a control freak.) Still, I do think it helps to ask ourselves if we are in control of our home business operations…or if our businesses are actually controlling us?
Can you set parameters around your business and stick to them? Do you have general operating hours or do you take calls at any time of the day or night? I think that having some basic boundaries around a business can be important—especially a home-based business. While it may not be practical to have definite 9-5 work hours, you can still have designated family time and work time and set some rules about what you will be interrupted for and what you will not.
Organization can also help to establish control over a business. If you have good working systems for keeping track of inventory, payments, income, job tasks, etc. you will be less likely to feel out of control. Without working systems (even simple ones) you might feel as though your business is jerking you around by the tail and you are forever trying to get things under control.
Ask yourself who is in charge—if you feel like your kids, your clients and customers, or the clock and calendar are bossing you around, you might be letting yourself fall victim to poor planning and boundaries. Once you get things under control and put some restraints and parameters on your business; and remind yourself that you are the one who is in charge, you are the “ruler” of your domain, so to speak, you may start to feel more in control and less like your business is running your life.
Also: Letting Things Happen in Your Business