With the current economic downturn bordering on recession, the latest unemployment figures going through the roof, and millions of American families losing their homes to foreclosure, people are looking for a way out. They're tired of working more and more and finding that their paychecks buy less and less. They're tired of pouring liquid gold into their gas tanks, only to drive to work and have a boss bark at them, or discover that a co-worker has been given a pink slip and that her responsibilities are now theirs. They're tired of the grind. They're tired of the rat race. They want to turn over a new leaf, and - most of all - they want to achieve financial freedom. For all these reasons, thousands of people are launching their own home based business every day.

But simply having your own business doesn't necessarily mean that you'll make $100K part time or $200K full time. In fact, most people who start their own home business fail miserably. Why? Because they haven't followed the keys to success. Here they are, in a nutshell:

1. Find the right opportunity. There are thousands of opportunities out there, but you have to be able to choose the best from the rest. You want to find an opportunity that is a good fit with your financial goals and with your life goals.

2. Business in a box. Starting a business from scratch isn't easy. To smooth the way, choose an opportunity that provides you with everything you need to get up and running right away. Look for a system that can basically provide you with a business in a box. All you have to do is unwrap it to get up and running.

3. Focus on training. You can't expect to engage in successful wealth creation unless you have someone show you the way. The best home business opportunities will have intensive training - some even have up to 30 training calls a week - and will provide you with mentoring and support.

4. Residual income. To truly succeed, you need to choose an opportunity with an income system that includes residual income. That's how the great online entrepreneurs have made their fortunes.

5. Work at it. Too many home based business owners mistakenly believe that they can rest on their heels and watch the money roll in - without lifting a finger in effort. On the contrary, true financial success comes to those who work hard. The trick is in finding a system where you can work hard for two or three years - rather than for 20 or 30 years - in order to achieve financial freedom.

6. Stay organized. When you work from home, it's tempting to do anything but work. You may not need to set the alarm clock, but make sure that you set aside hours exclusively for work. The laundry has to wait. The grocery shopping has to wait. As a business owner, you have to put in the effort now so that you can reap the rewards.

When you have the right approach, a home based business can get you out of the rat race and restore your sanity. It can also fulfill your financial dreams.