By Patrick A Chan

Why do we want to start a Home Based Business, not only a home-based business, but via the internet? The Internet has indeed allowed us to do many things from the comfort of our own home or anywhere in the world with internet access!

Thus, more and more people are asking themselves what they should not do at all if they ever get involved in a home based internet business! Why do they ask? Like any science experiment, we would all want to know the certain precautions we need to take in order to do them safely and correctly... Who decides on the precautions to take? Well, it would be someone who cares enough to ensure that the experiment would yield the expected results!

Being an ex-teacher, I understand the value of taking precautions... Usually precautions are given in the Teacher's Guide by the relevant authorities. However, there will be times when extra precautions not mentioned in the guides need to be raised by the teachers themselves so that the students are aware of any potential hazards or self-sabotages...

Now, here is a list, not an exhaustive one, which according to me needs to be observed by anyone who is serious about starting a home based business online. There are apparently much more that cannot be sufficiently covered because the Internet serves a Global community... Anyway, I just hope that this basic list would set you thinking and headed on the right path towards success!

1. Do not pretend to be an expert in every area! There are so many aspects to be taken into consideration when it comes to running an internet business. We seriously need to be humble about the things we do not understand or know and employ the assistance of those who have the expertise!

2. Do not jump into any business opportunity without first doing a thorough check on the company's profile. This is not an easy step to take, especially so, when even legitimate companies may be misrepresented or abused by scammers! I have received many emails offering me opportunities by "myself" too! LOL Get yourself a well-informed mentor/advisor to guide you.

3. Do not be distracted and mind your own business! There are so many opportunities offered online! Many people will Try This and Try That... Have you heard of Jack who is into all trades? Yes, he is no master... Just a slave in the making! Distractions offer you chains unseen by the naked eye if you are not careful... Decide on your primary business! Look after your own business and you will prosper! Are you thinking of multiple sources of income? Sure, if you are ready and have built yourself a good foundation! If not, be wise about things and do one thing well at any one time =)

Replying to anonymous spam emails can be a distraction. Well, most scammers just need a response from you to start a whole army of emails marching your way until your inbox needs changing! These test emails are usually not addressed to anyone in particular or are addressed to a hidden list that has been collected using "spydees" etc. You will probably not be able to find your email address in the recipient's field. So, why reply and invite distraction?

When you are doing anything that is not helping you market and grow your business... it is a distraction!

4. Do not send an email when your computer is infected by a virus, trojan, spyware, adware and the like. You would not want your sensitive information to land in the wrong hands. Get yourself protected using an antivirus/internet security software!

5. Do not forget to track what you are doing. This is especially vital prior to each marketing campaign you run... This will ensure that you know where to spend the best dollar and where not to spend at all!

6. Do not be discouraged! There will be people who will try to steal your dreams or trample upon them! Your loved ones especially! You need to be focused in what you do. Every setback sets you up for more success! To know what works and what does not is the key to doing only what works for success! Simple enough?

7. Do not limit your mindset! I chose this to be seventh on this list because it is very important! A mindset limited by any situation, opinion, or anything is going to generate limited or no success... E.g. if you are desperate to earn an income and all your bills are piling up... being desperate stems from a limited mindset. Learn to see new possibilities out of your situation instead of allowing yourself to be depressed and defeated! Overcoming negative emotions is not easy, but it is possible! Anyway, entertaining negative emotions will not move you in any positive direction! Manage your emotions and a better mindset can emerge to help pull you through any tough spots!

Another area of a limited mindset is often manifested in the amount of time, energy, or money we are willing to commit in order to succeed. Sometimes, the opportunity of a lifetime does not come "cheap"! A limited mindset would view a golden opportunity as time-consuming, energy draining, and "expensive"... It does not allow us to see beyond those limiting factors into a future that will reward us with success unlimited! Thus, we have people that regret during their dying moments not taking enough risk in their life... most people statistically regret that!

8. Do not give up on yourself! You are your own worst enemy... When you quit on yourself, you quit on everything! Sometimes, we cannot see any fruit of our labor being produced... Be patient! Persevere! People may give up on us, but we must never let what they think of us become our reality! We create our own future! We just need to fix our vision, work consistently towards fulfilling it, and never give up! Having said all that, we need to recognize what we need to quit thinking, doing, or saying anything that works against our vision and core desire!

9. Do not reinvent the wheel especially when you are new. Reinventing systems takes time, energy, and money... It is wiser to stick with proven systems especially when you are just starting out fresh. Sometimes, having a lousy looking website up quickly can profit you more than having a painstakingly reinvented website up after a long time! Use existing systems that work! Simplicity is the key!

10. Do not be ill prepared. This is the last on this list, but it is definitely not the least! Do your due researches first and always check your business processes before you implement it... Doing research and checks before implementation helps to minimize a lot of headaches! If you like headaches, then ignore this last item. ;-)

Well, I hope this list will help you move quickly in the right direction! Remember this: Only you can slow yourself down...

Patrick Chan who has been making money online since 2002 is willing to help anyone who finally wants to succeed in every aspect of life. Join his successful Singapore team in the quest for success from the comfort of your home via the internet (http://success.homelysuccess.com/). Also, check out his buddy Ewen Chia's Autopilot Profits System In A Box (http://auto.homelysuccess.com/) that can definitely enhance anyone's online business!