This is a guest post written by author, entrepreneur, and friend, Marc Warnke. Enjoy! -Ronnie

Learn more about Marc Warnke’s new book:
ONO, Options Not Obligations: Enrich Your Personal Life by Rethinking Your Financial Life

With all of the bad news in the press—struggling economy, corporate layoffs, trillions of dollars in the budget deficit—it’s easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom, but if we can focus on the positive, I see an opportunity for entrepreneurial Americans on the flipside of this economic downturn.  I want to be a resource to you, one that is positive and uplifting.

First, I want you to know that as I write this, thousands of home-based businesses and entrepreneurial men and women are creating solutions and are thriving in the current environment.  So, as you fight to find a way through your economic quandary, I encourage you as you look at the options in front of you and to consider taking the perspective of not only an entrepreneur, but that of a Family First Entrepreneur.

In my book, ONO: Options Not Obligations, I ask you to think about the end of your life, when the people that truly care about you are gathered around your deathbed.  What will they talk about?  They will talk about time spent with you.  These will be the people you loved and who loved you.

You may have a family, in terms of a spouse and children as we define it traditionally, or your family may be made up of the people you love and choose to surround yourself with. When you put those people first in your business objectives, you will find new motivation and you will discover new ways to thrive.

I encourage you to put your loved ones first and adopt the idea of being a Family First Entrepreneur and to include it into your future business plan. Today’s economy is experiencing a natural shift and the cool thing about it is that it can be helpful to you and your family because pain always brings personal growth. This is your opportunity to grow.  I want to encourage you to grow in ways that allow you to become a Family First Entrepreneur so you can have available time, extra money, and more options than obligations.

ONO: Options Not Obligations will help you get a handle on creating and implementing your business plan and, the exciting part of this entrepreneurial revolution, taking control of the other side of the equation—income.  Think about the things you want and what you want to be said about you at the end of your life, and then guide your business efforts in that direction.