Each year, thousands of people start their own home based business by joining the network marketing industry. Network marketing has made many people rich beyond their wildest dream but there are far more people who quit before making their first dime. Here are the first five steps that you should take to build a firm foundation before expanding your network marketing business. 1. Establish Your WHY Why do you want to start a home business? What is it that you want to accomplish by having your own business? Do you want to start a saving plan for your children college education? Or you want to buy a new SUV or a new home? Whatever your reasons are, write them down. This list will be used to motivate yourself to work on your business.

2. Set Attainable Goals Start setting attainable goals and give a target date for reaching each of them. As an example, you can set a goal such as 'Earn $5000 pre-tax income from my business by 25 December 2006'. Be as specific as possible. You can set a big goal first and then divide it into sub-goals.

3. Get organized and list down your tasks. Each evening list all the things you want to get done the following day. As each task is finished, mark it off your list.

It is amazing how much gets done when one works with a 'to-do' list. Also, have a notebook listing appointments, potential clients, repeat clients, and referrals and keep it with you at all times. You will be adding to it constantly. You can use a PDA if you think it allows you to be more organized.

4. Cultivate a positive attitude. Start developing a habit of positive thinking. Every business has its share of challenges and difficulties. You will face rejections, pressures from those around you and a whole lot more. Remember to stay positive, as these challenges will make you a stronger person.

Read at least one personal development book each week. Listen to success training or sales training audio CDs while commuting in your car or public transport. 5. Manage your time wisely. Your time is your most precious asset.

Any time wasted cannot be recovered. Plan your schedule wisely. Do not spend your working hours doing unproductive tasks such as watching the latest news on television. Other than meal and toilet breaks, you should be working on tasks that bring you closer to your goals. These tasks include calling prospects, attending sales training courses, improving product knowledge, training your team members and developing promotion campaigns. These steps are not difficult to accomplished but required a lot of self-discipline from you.

However, the more you work on these steps, the closer you will be to reaching your goals.

Stephen Chua is has been earning an ongoing monthly residual income by marketing online. Learn how you can create new income streams through automated marketing by reading this award winning report titled 'Dear Employee, Your Job Sucks'. Get your free copy at http://ToAllEmployees.com now.