You’ve heard the age old adage that “practice makes perfect,” right?

You probably told it to your children as they practiced their ABCs or multiplication tables. You’ve said it to your husband when he complained about his golf swing…and to yourself about a countless number of things.

Well, there is something to be said about this phrase. And since running a business from your home is not as predictable (or as static) as we’d like it to be…we must continue to practice and learn and build our skills for the best business possible.

Since trends, technology and even the market constantly evolve, it takes a lot of training and education to grow and succeed. So whether you are thinking of starting a new career at the kitchen table, or you already have one in the works, it’s time to get some training under your belt…(and a well thought-out plan to keep on learning).

Running a successful business requires some background knowledge on your part.

And you’re already thinking, “What do I do with the kids, the dog or my spouse?”

Well, there comes a point in every woman’s life where she has to find some time for herself, and ladies, here is your chance. Investing time, money and effort into your brain is just plain SMART! (Mr. Barefoot was not always 100% onboard with how much I spent on continuing education until he started to see it pay off here and there…now he LOOKS for things for me to study, ha!)

Acquiring new skills and knowledge has never been easier thanks to the Internet and online education. We hail online education because it allows stay-at-home moms or women who run a business out of their home a viable chance to continue their training. In fact, the trend for individuals attending online universities has grown to reach the millions in the last several years.

But you have to find the programs that fit your specific needs. So where do you start? First, find out what is offered with a few “googles” and asking professionals that you admire.

Now, where to find the time? If you have a house full of kids and a spouse, it could be hard to find time to enroll in a traditional college or vocational training course…which is why we feel like online education and home study courses are ideal since you can squeeze it in after the kids are in bed, while hubby is gone, etc.

But, how will I pay for training? If you live on a budget, like many families do, finding ways to pay for extra education can be difficult. If you find a program you’re interested in, see if there are financial aid opportunities or payment plans. Many colleges and universities have special plans set up for working moms or women who live in qualified financial situations.

If you already work outside the home, your business may have opportunities for funding further education and training prospects.

Balancing your life. Extending your education will take some time out of your schedule, so you must be prepared for some shifting of responsibilities. Make your family aware of what you plan to do (and get them excited about it) so you have a strong support system in place.

You also need to make yourself aware of how long the training will take and if it will affect your ability to run an at-home business. The idea is to enhance your career, not distract from it.

One of the best things you can do for yourself and for your at-home business is to make sure you are at the peak of your field, learning new skills and keeping up with the trends. If a university course doesn’t fit the bill, you might consider a homestudy course from someone in the field whom you admire.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As “The Barefoot Executive” Carrie educates, coaches and advise work-at-home women (and those who want to be) as they achieve their goals of personal & career fulfillment! Check out Barefoot-Executive.com (use your affiliate link) for her free weekly women-in-business ezine, plus teleclasses, special reports, ebooks and her comprehensive website resources. She also just released a movie just for you!

Posted in Virtual Assistant, Elsewhere, Guest Authors, Inspiration | |