So you are starting a Successful Home Based Business. Your partner and kids are excited for you. Think of all the money you will make.

Yea you read all these articles. You did the planning. You set up the business. You waited for the money to pour in. Did it happen? No yet you say. So now what? SIMPLE SOLUTION: You need the 7 ways to survive a home based business.

1. MOST IMPORTANT: research, research and research your product. Who will buy it, are they real buyers or just users, what price would they be willing to pay, how will you produce it, package it, and get paid for it. If your product is a physical product - where can you build it, store it and ship it. What supplies do you need? What equipment is needed and what is already available. How long will it take to become financially secure - take that number and double it, if you are realistic.

2. Plan well in advance and expect results well into the future. Do not be taken in by the Instant Results. This is not an overnight get rich quick plan. It just doesn't work that way. If it was that easy wouldn't everyone else be doing it? This is for the dedicated, organized, goal oriented women among us.

3. Get family and friends on side so you will be allowed the required time. Do not expect this to happen without a constant ongoing struggle. You have your place in the family with your obligations and when this new obligation starts to take time that someone else had scheduled - look out - there will be opposition.

4. Get your finances in order so you have enough to live on until the money starts to flow in. This is major, especially if the new expected income will be used to survive. Many people apply for credit cards or a line of credit while they are still employed in order to have financial security while the business is taking root.

5. Set up your office in the home that allows privacy. It is an advantage if you do not have to share the space so you do not have to clear and put away constantly. Also set up you schedule to start and end. Some people plan and plan but never get started. What time will your business day begin and end?

6. Have an outlet - you have to get away from the desk and live a life. This could be an alarm clock to tell you the day is over or a scheduled activity like a gym date. It is so easy to continually work because you know it all depends on you. Be realistic. You will produce a better product when you mind isn't on total overload. The jobs will still be there so take a break and make it also a mental break. Do not think about the business and do not talk about the business. Do something that makes you laugh.

7. Don't eat at your desk. Boy that one sure doesn't need any explanation. Don't start and you won't have to stop. That includes coffee and those "little things that aren't food".

3/4. This is the BIG ONE: Just do it. You are going to have all sorts of opposition, problems and frustrating days. Don't let that stop you. If the going gets tough drop me a note at Darlene@Active-Midlife-Baby-Boomers.com and I would be happy to help move you out of the hole you might be in. I have been there - in fact I am still there every day - but I have learned some of the tricks. Drop me a note or visit my website: www.Active-Midlife-Baby-Boomers.com