Best Time Management Tips for Working from Home

[yourdaynow]

Working from home provides tremendous advantages for a mom. You're able to set your own schedule, bag the stockings and read at the preschool. What a life!

But challenges abound. It's almost impossible to work without childcare. Domestic projects call from every corner. The mail carrier may be nice, but he's not a colleague. And nobody is looking over your shoulder to make sure the job gets done.

To thrive as a work-at-home mom, you need to set guidelines. What follows are time management tips gleaned from my experience working from home as the mother of a active yr old baby girl..


Establish boundaries. Don't allow the kids in your office without permission. I'm setting this rule now, and as a result I can always find my stapler. I cannot say the same thing for my hairbrush or lipstick.

Set a schedule. Notice how your preschooler needs structure? So do you. A regular work routine will help keep you from getting sidetracked.

Buy a stopwatch. I click my stopwatch on to write and click it off when I leave my desk. At day's end, I log my work hours. Tracking time helps separate "work" from "home."

Keep a "small stuff" to do list. Working at home allows you to use spare moments for office work. But to be efficient, you need to keep a list of tasks that can be done in 15 minutes or less.


Distinguish breaks. Two hours spent cleaning the playroom is not a break, it's a morning. Start the day with work, not chores. Ignore the dust bunnies.

Set the handyman straight. Chat and then make it clear that you have to go back to work. Tell him that you're on a deadline -- even if you're not. He'll get more work done, and so will you.

Get out. Working at home can be isolating. Schedule events that require you to wear clean clothes and interact with adults who are not relatives or delivery people.

Know thyself. It's confusing. You're a working mother but you're mostly around stay-at-home moms. Deadlines call, but you're constantly asked to volunteer. Consider your work commitments before accepting outside obligations. Remember, you're a working mom, even if you don't commute.

Enjoy the perks. Sneak in a siesta. Check in on Oprah. Shop for shoes. Celebrate the "free" in freelance, and the "independent" in independent contractor! :blob:

[kaaryn]

Excellent article - thanks for posting it! :D

[robin123]

Yes balancing home and family is hard! I just started in business almost a month now.. and Im working on 3 different streams of income to see which works best. It has taken alot of time setting these things up and also looking for just the right things to work with.. but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.. as I get more organized and budget my time... :colors:

[Diamondintherough]

Thanks for posting these very helpful tips. They will come in handy for me when I am able to work from home myself.

[robin123]

Good Luck Diamond!
Whatever you dream.. you can achieve! :thumb:

Robin
Tennessee

[celc01]

Thanks for the tips!

[karpie]

My brother in law works at home and he actually does many of those things. He actually locks the door to his work room and does not open until he is finished

[robin123]

Your brother-in-law is a SMART MAN! LOL...;)

[jgs]

I actually work for a company located in Arizona and work from home. However my job is sales, so most time I am traveling. That is mainly why I started looking for a home based job. What I am finding is that you can either make money through affiliate marketing, selling cosmetics, or selling wellness product (at least for the most part). Currently I work full time and am currently in the affiliate marketing business. It is a lot of work, but I heard that it is rewarding, you just have to suffer it out. Wish me luck!

[robin123]

I actually work for a company located in Arizona and work from home. However my job is sales, so most time I am traveling. That is mainly why I started looking for a home based job. What I am finding is that you can either make money through affiliate marketing, selling cosmetics, or selling wellness product (at least for the most part). Currently I work full time and am currently in the affiliate marketing business. It is a lot of work, but I heard that it is rewarding, you just have to suffer it out. Wish me luck!

Hey jgs,
You can also make money selling candles!! :flower:

[mercy]

Yes ofcourse, its a bog advantage working from home being a mom, but it does not happens to all the ladies. You should accept this fact first.

[robin123]

Yes ofcourse, its a bog advantage working from home being a mom, but it does not happens to all the ladies. You should accept this fact first.

Yes I believe we all know that!:rolleyes:

[mercy]

Yes I believe we all know that!:rolleyes:
Thx for the reply

[Lori]

Hi Mercy,

Do you live in Tamilnadu? My husband spent some time there when we were living in India. He fell in love with it's beauty.

Lori

[helpmepleazz]

Excellent article. I've worked at home for several years. I tried having an office area but had to give it up because of wireless internet connectivity issues. Wouldn't you know, my office, was the absolute furthest point away from the hub.

My kids are older & are better at understanding most of the time. They don't play the piano when I'm on a conference call (at least not very often) But, my 2 cents is this - be sure your spouse understands you have a real job! Spouses tend to assume that since your are home, the kitchen should be clean, the laundry should be folded and put away, you can run and get the car registration taken care of, etc. After all, "you're at home all day aren't you!!" It took almost as long for my DH to realize I had a "real job" as it did for the kids to start understanding!! As a family, we've gotten into the work at home groove pretty good - but it took some training!
:hi:

[jgs]

Hi All,

I agree with that article completely. I actually work from home, but I have a salaried job. My company is located in Arizona. I had to put my baby in daycare so that I could put in my 40 hours a week quota. It seems that I work more than 40 though.

I have been looking for a direct marketing venture and finally found one, but in my pursuit of finding the perfect company, I looked at some really dud ones, but with charismatic and believable sales person. I joined one that I knew in my heart I could never sell, but he was making me believe that I could walk on water and make 10K per month. I have been attending some phone meetings and yesterday was my ephiany(not sure if I am spelling that correctly). My recruiter told the team, that we are in this for money- not for the product. So, of course I will be asking for my money back.

You need sale skill, you need to love your product you are promoting because it offers you credibility. In the same phone call, I found out that my director was in another company that went under because it made "medical claims". The company I had just joined is only 4 years old- what if I sell products to everyone I know and then find out its nothing more than hype? I lose credibility and if I choose to go on another venture- people will remember the junk I sold them and not give me a second glance.

Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Lia Sophia, to name a few are reputible companies that we have heard of. They have been around, and people trust them. That is the type of company you want. Make sure you visit DSA.org for listing of companies.

As for me, I have decided to do none of the above mentioned since I don't wear make up (I have am 18 month, who already fell at day care and got 6 stitches)! I barely have time to comb my hair chasing after my bundle of joy. I am not a good cook (and that's even following a cook book!) my husband is use to my food though...and that is all that matters! And as for jewlery, na! Again, barely have time to comb my hair. If anyone is interested in the above companies, I do have contact information, but I am sure their may be a local representative in your area. Best of luck!

[linazmi]

Hi there.

Thanks for the tips given. It is true to have a banalce timing between work and family especially when you are having two small kids and trying to work from home to earn extra cash in the hope to be financially independent.

I am just three weeks old in this work from hom ejob scheme. I find it difficult to fully concentrate on my work when my kids are out there seeking your attention. BTW my kids are 3yo and 1 yo. You see. At this point of time, they need attention and on the other hand I am getting frustrated to fully concentrate on my job here.

Your tips is helpful and helps to relieve my stress a little.

thanks

regards
Lina
http://linazmi.lancer79.hop.clickbank.net

[jgs]

Hi Lina,

Thanks for the feedback. You are so lucky to have two children two years apart. Now they will have each other to play with as they grow up. I can't wait to try for the second baby...I just have to convince my husband.

As for the frustration part, try not to give up. Make sure that you have a set schedule. Don't work while your kids are up and playing. Play with them, finish any household chores you need to, and put them to bed EARLY. At that age they should be in bed no later than 9. Try to get them into a routine if they are not already. (I can't really talk since my 18 month toddler is just finally sleeping through the night). As soon as they fall asleep, set 2 hours a night to do work. If you need to make phone calls, have a family member take care of them for a few hours while you make the calls. Try putting some more hours in during the weekends, and during their nap time. JUST don't give up. Success is never easy but possible!

[linazmi]

Hi jgs

Thanks for the reply and the encouragement. I will try my best to work through the night when my hubby has got another pc for me. Right now I am sharing the pc with him.. so i had my share to use the computer only during the day when he is out working. When night time it will be his turn to use the pc to get his hobbies done.

can be quite difficult to work through the day when my 3yo son will not want to take his nap. I am working out with my hubby to get a new pc for myself.

hope to keep in touch.

[mxc2100]

Good Article

[skjones]

Don't forget that there are many, many jobs now than can be done remotely... everything from administrative assisting to writing to market research to accounting and many more. Heck, almost any office job now can be performed remotely. And there are companies that are now starting to realize the benefits of hiring more and more virtual staff. How would you find one of these jobs? Well, I got started 5 years ago through Elance, but now you can find such jobs much as you would a traditional 9 to 5 job in an office... by sending out resumes and making applications and staying very 'internet savvy'. I have also read that Craig's List is a good place to watch.

Sheila
http://www.homeofficehub.com

[djnuttall]

But working a J-O-B is worse!

Now, atleast, I am available for my family.

My business runs 24/7 so I just work a flex schedule.

Wouldn't want to go back to the J-O-B market for anything.:p

I'll just try to stay focused and make sure the time spent is productive.

Work smarter Not harder

Denise

Online Turnkey Business Opportunities and Ideas
http://djnuttall-enterprises.com

[Lori]

Work smarter Not harder



Amen :dance:

I like your site Denise. Looks like you've put a lot of time into it!

Lori

[pink.aquarian]

Thats a great post!

I have just started working from home (25 Sept.), and I was really picking up some tips on how to manage my time more effectively. I have a very active 2 year old and he really is seeks a lot of attention. This article is really very helpful. Thanks for the post! :)