Often the biggest obstacle to being successful as a home based business owner is not finding leads and prospects – though that is critical. The biggest obstacle is managing the internal response to the question – NOW WHAT? Often this question is followed by a – deer in the headlights – response which is then followed by stagnation. Following stagnation comes fear, buyers remorse, and the spiral downward can begin.Now what? For home based business owners in the network marketing and direct sales industry, this question is a common one. But is the answer? The product and/or service being offered is great. The compensation plan is in set. The company has a steady track record. The process for finding leads is in place. The marketing tools are already designed and provided. So what is left? Two words – personal development.The internal dialog of the home based business owner is what is left. What you say to yourself becomes paramount. The level of confidence, being self-empowered, understanding internal strengths and weaknesses, and being laser focused on a goal or dream – are often part of the missing links in growing any business. 90% of the challenges for home based business owners are in the lack of personal development. What creates this – lack – or the need to ask, NOW WHAT? It is one thing – STUFF.Now what? Let me define stuff. Stuff is the unspecified, intangible, often negative element we introduce into our minds through our words, thoughts, or some other outside stimulation. When we do not focus our thoughts effectively, they can become scattered, miscellaneous, and fixated on stuff that can lead to negative notions, toxic relationships, and fear of taking even calculated risks.As a new home based business owner (particularly in network marketing) part of your STUFF can be not being able to determine which direction to go with you new business. Not having direction can lead to stagnation and eventually withdrawing from the system in place to assist in your success. Stuff is dwelling on mistakes you have made in the past, being angry at someone who did something to you in the past, being afraid to enter into a new venture because you heard someone share a horror story, worrying about your health at age 50 while you are still 35… and on and on.Stuff will find its way into your life regardless of who you are, how much money you make, and what your status is in life. Stuff keeps us from moving forward with our lives and we need to it let go, and quickly. Especially if you entered in to a new home based business venture to make money. The clock is ticking, and STUFF has no timekeeper.What is the solution? How do you begin letting go of stuff?It begins by making a commitment to yourself, a commitment to your dreams, a commitment to your family, and a having a belief that you deserve to have what you want out of life. That said, please remember the old adage that you do not get in life what you want, you get in life what you are. 100% of your success is centered around your philosophy about what is success. What does success mean to you? What image appears in your minds eye when you imagine being successful? Capture that image in words by writing it down in your personal journal. Make it a part of your business plan and strategy. Read it every day. This will help keep you laser focused on your goals and dreams.Before you take one more step toward working your home based business, you must first identify your philosophy in all areas of your life. What is your philosophy about money, friendship, being a spouse, parent, son/daughter, and business owner? According to the late great Jim Rohn, your philosophy is what determines your internal conversation, which becomes your values, which determines your decisions, and thus drives your actions and direction.Letting go of stuff begins in part with deciding who you want to be, then creating a plan to be that person-no matter what! Making a personal commitment is critical to having success in every area of your life including business, friendships, marriage, and finance.Part of the first step in the process of letting go of stuff is to acknowledge that you have stuff. Acknowledge that you want, and perhaps need to change something. Acceptance of the stuff in your life is also key, just as acceptance of anything you want to change. Before remodeling a home, for example, you must first accept its current condition. After taking inventory, you can then make plans to remodel. The same is true for making long-lasting, inside out changes in your life, and thus your business. You must first take inventory of the stuff that is keeping you from moving forward. Identify it. Accept it. Then begin the process of letting go of it.NOW WHAT? The answer lies inside of you. Begin by letting go of stuff.