There are a multitude of home based businesses that you can start. If you enjoy what you currently do at your job but do not enjoy doing it for someone else, then it will be much easier to transfer your talents and skills into your own business. This is the most common way to start your own business. Freelancing is one way to accomplish this. Writing, web developing, advertising, and photography are just some of the types of freelancing careers that people choose.

Freelancing is one of the easiest ways to transition from a 9 to 5 to working for yourself because you simply use the skills you already have rather than starting 100% from scratch.

However, if you are just fed up with your career and want to venture out into something more enjoyable, then you need to figure out what you are most passionate about. Can you turn your passion into helping others?

Providing a service while satisfying your passion is one of the best businesses you can run. Some passions turned into businesses include life coaching, personal training, and internet marketing. A good way to figure out your passion is to ask yourself, "would I do this for free?" Once you figure it out, the next step is to figure out how to provide a service to others. I once had a client who was passionate about creating baby bags after her son was born. She created functional bags that were also stylish. Now she is a well-known brand and she is doing something she truly loves.

Not all businesses need to be transferable skills or the selling of physical products. One of the more popular homebased businesses can be run on the internet. It is called internet marketing. Internet marketing is the marketing of products or services over the internet. Another popular term is "affiliate marketing." Basically, you can promote other people's products or services in exchange for a commission when a sale is made.

I particularly enjoy this type of business because it works well with my web developing skills. It is isn't for everyone but I find it challenging and fun. The income potential is also incredible.

Depending on how badly you want to leave the rat race, you can start off by freelancing and then transition into a business you truly love. The best thing about starting your own business is that you can begin part-time while continuing to work at your job. Many entrepreneurs do just that and once their business is making enough income, they happily resign from their job to become their own boss.

You can achieve this same success with proper planning, discipline, and hard work. The most important step of all is the first step and that is taking action.

Discover how to leave the cubicle life by downloading my FREE report about how to quit a job and become self-employed.

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Don't send a common job cover letter to different companies. The letter must be tailored to a specific job requirement and employer. Generally there are 3 types of cover letters used by job seekers in any job searching process.

1. The networking cover letter is used to inquire information and guidance from a contact in a chosen industry with the purpose of getting notification for any job openings. Networking letter is written to ask for a person's advice and not to aim for a job. In the first paragraph of the letter, you need to state clearly what you are looking for from the contact. You need to state your job interest clearly and provide the contact with information on the job level, the position and the working field that interest you. Many important job openings are not advertised but were filled up through networking.

2. The application cover letter is written in response to a job advertisement and job requirement. You have one full page to write a convincing cover letter to promote yourself, your competencies, and the contributions you can offer to the potential employer. In this letter you will request for a job interview and mention that you will contact the company to follow up the case. This will improve the opportunity to be called for an interview. If you are having difficulties to get started, you can seek professional help or refer to the proven example of cover letter to get ideas on the appropriate format and contents.

3. The prospecting cover letter is written to inquire possible job openings. In this letter you need to provide a self introduction and indicate the reason for writing. You need to explain why you are interested in the company and the type of position. The main focus of the prospecting cover letter is to link your experience, interest, skills and knowledge in a specific field with the contributions and values you can offer to the potential employer.



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Ask anyone in corporate America about the pitfalls of their job and they're likely to mention office politics as one of them. It doesn't matter where you work; there will always be an underlying vying for power and influence. Because there is no way to escape it, you might as well learn how to play the game. Below are seven key strategies to understanding and successfully maneuvering office politics.

1. Develop the proper mind set

Office politics are based on differences in people's relational and communication styles. When we accept that everyone in the workplace is different, and therefore has different expectations, views, and even aspirations, we can begin to not take the politics personally. After all, office politics is just an extension of what surrounds us in everyday life - differences.

2. Be a good worker

If you're striving to do what is right for the business, it is difficult not to come out ahead. After all, who's going to argue with you if you have a sound plan and are undertaking an effort that will make the company more successful or profitable? This approach is also likely to receive praise from peers and accolades from those above.

3. Learn how to influence difficult situations

Let's face it, we all find ourselves in situations that we don't like. In business as in life, we have a couple choices on how to handle these situations. The most commonly chosen one is to complain and lament. However, choosing this approach will not change anything. But you may succeed at the task at hand and maybe even enjoy it if you look at the situation as a problem that you can resolve. By approaching a situation this way, you may make yourself the go-to office problem solver.

4. Be impartial when conflicts arise

Differences inherently breed conflict so it is no surprise that offices are filled with it. Although it can be difficult not to side with a trusted co-worker when the office troublemaker starts to create an issue, remain impartial. It is difficult to help solve the situation when you're embroiled in it. Additionally, part of the game of politics involves being liked. If you take sides too often, you may find yourself without a team.

5. Cultivate positive relationships

To maintain maximum influence especially with peers, it is necessary grow positive relationships. In order to do so, you may have to try to help others out of difficult situations or even help them look good when it would be easy to do otherwise. Additionally, whenever the opportunity presents itself, look for ways to seek counsel from individuals more senior than you. They likely got where they are by successfully maneuvering and working office politics, so see what you can learn from them.

6. Seek first to understand the other person's point of view

When you find yourself in a situation that is about to turn ugly, take a step back and try to see it from the other person's point of view. Maybe even listen and then re-state their point of view back to them. This technique is a good way to disarm a defensive person. After all, don't you tend to have more patience with someone who is truly trying to understand what you're saying? Such an approach may not be natural to most people, but with practice it can yield amazing results.

7. Seek win - win solutions

When faced with a difficult situation in the workplace that is threatening to create World War III, why not try to approach the problem from a different point of view. With the help of your "enemy" look for a solution that will allow you both to get what you want, look good, or otherwise come out ahead. It could be a very bittersweet victory.

You may not like office politics, but if you're going to have a successful career you will likely have to get good at playing the game. You take a deep breath and get going!

Maurisa Westbury is Chief Training Strategist for OnlineTraining2Go an e-learning solutions company specializing in providing computer based training via the Internet for individuals, small to medium sized businesses and the association market. OnlineTraining2Go offers an extensive catalog with over 2500 topics. The company also offers career coaching, FREE teleseminars and webinars related to career developement and personal growth. If you're ready to reinvent yourself, get noticed and move to the next level in your career get your FREE report on career advancement and success now HERE

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