So, you think you finally
have your “dream job.” You
no longer have a boss to whom you must answer. You no longer have to work
8-5. You are free! Well, not quite.
After a couple weeks with your new home business, you notice
that you’re hardly spending any time with your family, the house is a mess and
you are exhausted! Now you’re wondering if your dream has become a
nightmare.
Time management can be a huge challenge for home business
owners. If you don’t learn time management skills, it is very likely you
will be unproductive, earn little or no money, and you will be unhappy – not to
mention your family’s displeasure.
A large percentage of people want to work from home so they can
be home with their children. Realization sets in after a short time and
they feel as though they have to choose between working their business and
being with their family. However, if they have a schedule, they can “do
it all.”
A work schedule takes planning ahead and communicating with your
family. First look at your family’s schedule. When does the baby
nap? When are the kids in school? When does your spouse return home from
work? Next, determine how many hours you want to work each day or each
week. Although it need not be written in stone, write down when you will
start work, when you will take breaks and when you will stop work for the
day. It is easy to get so involved with your business that you lose track
of time. This is one I have been guilty of doing.
It helps to speak with your spouse about your work
schedule. If your children are old enough to do household chores, hold a
family meeting and involve everyone. Ask for volunteers or assign tasks
to each family member that will help reduce your household responsibilities.
A rotating task schedule can help prevent arguments between
siblings. Joshua clears the table and loads the dishwasher on Monday and
Wednesday, and Lisa does it on Tuesday and Thursday. Alternate the days
when each child folds the laundry. You get the idea.
Be sure that your family members understand that during your
work hours, you are not to be disturbed unless there is an emergency. Ask
your family and friends not to phone you during those hours. Here is one
of the most difficult things I had to do… Accept
the fact that your house will not be as clean as when you did it all
yourself.
Your weekly schedule should include family time, work time and
some “you” time. If you don’t allow time for relaxation – time to read a
book, have lunch with friends or go to the hair salon, you will simply get
burned out. My own work schedule includes completing certain tasks daily,
weekly or monthly – both for my business and my home. Mine has a place for
tally marks so I can check off tasks as I complete them. I find it helps
me stay organized.
To help reduce your time in the kitchen, plan out a menu each
week and buy and prepare meals in bulk. Then freeze them. Buy
rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to save time cooking. They are
already cooked, inexpensive and can be used in a variety of different
recipes.
Use your time wisely. Sometimes work time, “you” time and
family time can be combined. While you’re waiting for your daughter in
her dance class, check your email of return a call to a prospect. Bring a
book when you take your son to his orthodontist’s appointment so you can take a
few minutes to relax.
You can use an online planner or write your schedule down with
pen and paper, but have it in print! Do not keep your schedule in your
head. You must be able to look at it.
It may take some time to plan out your family and work schedule
and a little time for you and your family to adjust to it, but once that
happens, you will discover that it was well worth the time.
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