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Managing Your Time In A Home Business
Is your business still an inspiration, or has the pressure
of time and responsibilities started to dull your enthusiasm?
Find your best working strategy, and you'll save time and
energy that can be better spent on creative avenues of business
and withfamily.
"Defining Your Space"
Defining your space is admittedly more about organization
than time, but there's an undeniable link between the two.
Have you scanned 100 emails to find that important reference
code? Are you still sorting piles of necessary documents
on your kitchen counter, just so you'll know where they
are?
Here, then, is the reason for creating a specific working
area. You may be using the family computer, but make space
for a file, incoming mail and a notebook. Enforce the necessity
of a cleared working area by providing bins or drawers for
other family members, or your own `non-work' related items.
(If you choose to organize them as well, all the better,
but stick to your priorities.)
If it's a small business, create at the very least five
files. one for Expenses, one for Income (let's hope!), one
for Reference Material, one for Correspondence and one for
Projects (or Customers). If you deal with very many clients,
or companies, give them separate files, otherwise one should
suffice.
Consider setting up your email with similar `folders' to
keep everything organized and easy to find. Perhaps you
can sub-categorize even further as there is not the physical
space issue.
This section could easily go on and on, but for simplicities
sake, it would be best to start out with this system. If
you're already well over your head, creating this simplistic
organization system may be the best first step, you can
refine and itemize the bulk of it easier if you take the
time to make these first main files.
"Getting Busy"
We've all done it. A moment arises where you have the chance
to get some work done and you go to your computer, or workshop
or otherwise, and for 5-10 minutes you browse emails or
papers, trying to figure out what needs to be done.
With any home business (and this is especially true when
children are in the mix) you need, or have created, the
flexibility to work when YOU want. So don't waste time figuring
out what you'll be doing.
If you are so inclined, create a To-Do list. This may be
for the day, or week, or just a running list that is built
upon as things come up. This creates an easy starting point
when you are ready to work. Where did you leave off? What
was next on the list? Do you have 10 minutes or 2 hours?
You will surely have something waiting to be done.
If you do not feel the need for a written list, at least
have a goal for that day. As a work from home mother, I
find that one or two main goals are all I need. And there
are always emails to check, accounting, etc. for the slow
times.
I also have a personal schedule for the week that itemizes
my main tasks: writing an article, networking in the forums,
checking on orders, etc. This gives me an easy to work from
goal map. Although my work periods are broken up, I try
to focus on one task a day through to completion.
"Going Up….."
Once you have your main task ready to go, than try to follow
it through to the best of your ability. Not only will you
be free to carry on with your day, but you will feel a sense
of accomplishment. If your goal is extensive, for instance
you're training, researching or building on something, than
break it down into smaller goals.
You will find that a concrete goal will give you the ability
to get 'caught up' in the process. You had a starting point,
you are driven towards the finish. Without the enormity
of the full project lying in front of you, you will feel
free to focus your attention, enjoy the process more and
put quality time into it.
"Coming Down…"
Especially when you are working on a multi-step project,
when you finish task for the day, try to slow yourself down
by diverting time to some of the smaller tasks; filing,
correspondence, telephone calls etc.
If you follow this pattern regularly, you will not only
find that both the large and the small tasks get completed,
but your `work day' will come to a natural end and you will
feel ready to separate it from your family life.
"Creating Balance"
As with everything, balance is key. Now that is easier
said than done, so using this as a guide, find your own
natural rhythm. Working with children will likely break
this system up even further (I know!). If you are on your
own, you may find it easier to plug on for the entire
project even if it takes you into the night.
Whatever you do, remember your reasons for choosing to
work at home. Based on your original reasons, you will find
motivation to schedule a working life that benefits you
and your family the best.
Enjoy your Day!
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Shannon and Cyprian help others reach their work from home
goals on their site at http://www.Affiliate-Start.com.
They run several online businesses while raising two young
daughters.
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