That is the plight of the home based business owner. It all sounded so good at first right? Go to work when you want. Your commute will be a walk down the hall in your pj's instead of the dreaded morning commute. You'll have time for your children and your spouse not to mention having a cup of coffee that ends up in your belly instead of your lap. The sun will shine and the birds will sing? your life will be complete if you work from home.

And then screeeetch? reality sets in. Home is no longer your sanctuary. Work can no longer be your escape. It's all blended into one big mess with no real way to tell the two apart.

Not to worry. You're no different than any other corporate suit that left the 9 to 5 (or 8 to 6) work day for what they thought would be the more relaxed and free lifestyle of working at home. There are 2 realities; it can be a nightmare or a dream. The good news is that you get to decide which!

Just like anything else, if you thought you would trade in that suit for jean and a t-shirt and the world would automatically be a different place; that was your first mistake. The world ? any world ? is what YOU make it. Working from home can be an awesome experience. We know because it's what we do.

The misconception is that "work" is the challenge. It isn't. The challenge is what you as an individual bring to work. Leaving your JOB and starting your own business from home will give you many freedoms, many of which are not possible at an office. The one thing that doesn't change is whether you work at an office or from home, there is still work to do!

Here is where the confusion sets in? You think?Once I leave my JOB everything will be easy! The reality?Starting a business takes dedication and hard work.

You think?Once I leave my JOB I can spend more time with my family! The reality?Once you leave your JOB, you will have to set up guidelines for yourself and your family to follow so the time is there for both.

You think?With out a boss to answer, to I won't have any problems! The reality?You have to answer to more important people?yourself and your family. The buck stops with you and if you don't have discipline for that mentality, success will be elusive.

While it all may sound like a lot ? it's not. It's a mindset and I am here to tell you that it's absolutely the best thing we ever did. Working from home offers freedoms that you will NEVER be able to afford at an office or store front. Freedom to write your own schedule Freedom to create your own personal environment Freedom to plan work around family life vs. the other way around. Freedom to decide how much money you want to make.

Those freedoms are luxuries that few are able to enjoy. The key to success and balance when working at home is simple. Set up guidelines and stick to them.

First of all choose a business that resonates with you. The more you enjoy what you do the more success you will realize with it. Create a business plan and know that you'll need a budget to work with. This helps with mental balance. Awareness up front greatly reduces the stress of unwanted surprises later. Create a space that is ONLY for business so the two don't get crossed. A home office should have a door that locks. Privacy is critical and a locked door creates that better than anything I know. Realize you can't get work done and take care of children effectively. One always gets the short end of the stick and it's certainly not fair to little ones. Get help at home from a sitter or enroll small children in a part time day care program. There are some awesome one's out there. Create a Schedule for yourself and then stick to it. Plan work time, family time, and equally as important, down time, personal time and fun.

If you take nothing else away from this article, take this?The home business arena has a world of potential. Thousands are successful with it and it's the wave of the future. Creating balance isn't difficult. It only takes planning and a little additional commitment. If you have that along with a bit of self discipline; your potential for success is very real? along with some balance.