You're doing it. For years you've wanted to work from home and you are finally doing it. You are no longer an employee who has a "J O B"; you are now a business owner, self-employed, ruler of your own destiny AND you have inherited all the responsibilities that come with owning a business:

* You are the manager
* You are the marketer
* You are the service provider/widget maker
* You are the bookkeeper

And the list goes on. We often get so busy running our businesses that we forget why we started them in the first place.

So what does a small business owner do to stay motivated while working from home?

1. Remember the "why".

Take a step back to remember the reason you went into business in the first place. What was your inspiration? It helps to focus intently on how you felt when you first realized you wanted to be successfully self-employed. For me, it was the sense of freedom and independence that I knew would come with success as an entrepreneur.

2. Give yourself a deadline.

If you're procrastinating about a project, you may be motivated by the self-imposed pressure of a deadline. Try giving yourself a deadline that you won't want to back down on: send an email to friends announcing a new product launch, email your client with a due date for that big project you're working on, take reservations for your first teleclass, you get the idea.

3. Maintain a support system.

One of the hardest parts of being a solopreneur can be the sense of isolation. When things go right (or wrong), we no longer have the "water cooler" to go to. Be sure there is someone who you can share with, someone who is available for a quick motivational chat when you need one.

4. Keep the goal in sight.

A simple, yet effective motivational tool is to keep your goals in sight - literally. I've taken a picture of my dream house and made it the background wallpaper on my computer. One glance at it is a megadose of motivation for me!

5. Take a nap.

As counterintuitive as it sounds, taking a powernap is one of the best ways to rejuvenate your body AND mind. So the next time you're feeling overwhelmed or low, slowly and intently read each of your goals and then go take a powernap. Let your subconscious work on ways to manifest those goals while you rest.

When you wake, you'll be raring to go!

6. Reward yourself.

When faced with a large project, unpleasant task or anything that overwhelms you, plan a reward for once it's done. The reward can be as simple as a quiet bath with candles or as exciting as a professional sporting event. Just be sure to plan a reward that YOU want and will enjoy!

7. Take a break.

You've most likely never worked harder than when you are first starting your own business. In addition to actually "doing" all the work, you need to work on marketing, invoicing and other overhead or "non-billable" tasks.

Don't get caught in the trap of "all work and no play". Be sure you take days off and breaks throughout the day to rejuvenate and gain some perspective. Whenever I'm stuck on a project, I grab one of the dogs and go for a walk...by the time I return to the office, things have usually sorted themselves out in my head.

It doesn't matter how successful your home business is or how much you love to work from home; both new and established entrepreneurs face the motivational dilemma at some point and while some of the above motivational strategies may seem conflicting on their face - giving yourself a deadline versus taking a break for example - they all have their place in the life of a successful entrepreneur.

Sandra Martini

Ever since I was a young girl growing up in a small town in Massachusetts, I've loved helping people succeed. My sisters used to call me "The General" as I constantly told them how to do this, that or the other. Friends would refer to me as "Counselor" as I was always asked for my advice and recommendations on how to handle various situations.

I left that small town for Washington, DC where I attended college and spent the next 11 years working within the Federal Government. While with the Peace Corps, ACTION, and AmeriCorps federal agencies, I honed my skills in the areas of marketing, project management, and finance.

It was my life, I loved it all -- from planning the most minute details of Presidential events to estimating the needs within the intricacies of a Federal agency's budget! I had a natural talent for getting things done and making things happen and often got the projects no one else wanted. I realized at that point, that there was an opportunity. While discussing this with a colleague, I was encouraged to start my own business helping other small businesses with their difficult tasks -- the entrepreneur in me was unleashed!

After I returned to Massachusetts, I spent the next 7 years within "Corporate America." In New England, the perception is that success comes from prestigious positions with large corporations. I followed this path as Director of Operations for a nationwide satellite television company. It was a great job and I learned a lot, but corporate life wasn't for me -- I didn't want the commuting, corporate politics, and the thought that someone else was benefiting from my hard work. I wanted MORE for ME, I wanted FREEDOM, INDEPENDENCE, and PERSONAL SUCCESSES and began dedicating nights and weekends to rebuilding my business.

As a result, I've been a very successful solopreneur for several years now and wouldn't trade it for anything. I love the feeling of helping other entrepreneurs and service professionals realize their dreams!