The first success factor will be what you have between your ears. A wise man once said "As you think, so you become." No truer words have ever been spoken.

Your mindset is your life and you control it by feeding it health food or junk food. The mind is like a machine that helps to create whatever it focuses on. This happens even if you're not aware of it.

Everything in your life today, good or bad, is a product of your past thoughts. If you don't know what you want you're going to keep on not getting what you want. You have to take time to figure out what you want and then to keep your mind focused on bringing it to you.

This isn't some new age philosophy. It's been taught over and over by some of worlds greatest successes for centuries. Why? Because it works.

How do you put your mind to work for what you want?

Telling you how is easy part:

- Feed your mind with books, tapes, music and movies that inspire you and motivate you to create life of your dreams

- Avoid negative input from books, music, movies, TV, news and magazines that have a reputation for being cynical.

- Surround yourself with positive people and keep "dream stealers" out of your life permanently. Life's too short to spend time with complainers instead of creators.

- Say affirmations of how you see yourself in life you want.

Operating a home-based business may let you set your own schedule, spend more time with your children, and earn more money but it does have its own set of challenges. One of those challenges can be a feeling of loneliness.

Many home-based business workers spend all their time trapped within confines of their house. They eat in their own kitchen, type email on their own computer, and socialize with their own family once they return from outside world. At first, this might seem like a welcome change from stressful interactions in average workplace, but when continued day after day, it can dramatically affect your mood and your productivity.

Luckily, you can combat those negative feelings and keep your home-based business. Here are a few suggestions:

1) Establish a Routine

Very often flexibility of working at home can deteriorate into disorder and chaos, which usually leads to longer hours and less socialization. A well-established routine allows you to get your work done and have time to mingle. For example, you could set office hours from 8 am to 5 pm. Once you finish working each evening, you'll be free to unwind and interact with people for rest of night without distraction of your business. Plus, you'll be forced to use those time management skills which were so essential when you working for someone else.

2) Take a walk with a spouse, friend, or dog

If you visit any workplace, you are bound to find people walking on their lunch breaks. They don't just do this for calorie-burning benefits, however. It's also a good way to release stress and to enjoy company of other people. You can do same thing, but you may need to schedule your outings so they are convenient for your “walking buddy.” Of course, if you opt to take your favorite canine companion along, he or she will be available whenever need to wander strikes.

3) Join a health club

Exercise is an excellent stress reliever, plus it fights against two other common work-at-home problems: over-indulgence in food and sedentary lifestyles. But exercising on a stationary bike or treadmill in your bedroom won't be enough to fight that feeling of isolation. A health club, on other hand, is a perfect answer because it provides lots of exercise opportunities and a chance to meet new people. Sure, club memberships can be pricey but your health and well-being are worth it.

4) Get a hobby