• Set “office hours.”  It’s not fair to your family or yourself to work 24/7.  Just like an office job, you need to set specific hours in which you work, and I do mean work.  Treat your at-home job as a real job and be professional about it.  You can’t take breaks to hang with friends, wash dishes, or even do laundry.   On the flip side, once those hours are over, stop working and go “home.”
• Act professionally.  Just because you have a laptop and a couch doesn’t mean you should work in your pj’s.  You don’t have to wear suits, but dressing professionally can help you stay in the work mindset and not get easily distracted.
• Set goals.  Again it’s part of being professional- don’t work aimlessly or without goals.  Dependent upon your job, set weekly or monthly goals that are challenging but achievable.  This will help you stay focused and not run adrift.
• Block distractions.  They come in a lot of forms, both internally and externally.  If noise of a problem or just catches your attention, try a sound machine or this free white noise generator.  Another form of distraction comes online, as well.  There are quite a few productivity add-ons you can try to get more done.

Working from home has a lot of advantages- you set you own hours, you can work on your couch in your pajamas, and you’re your own boss.  For me, it means I can raise my children and still get a paycheck.  With all those benefits, there are definite cons to working from home, too.  Being at home means there are a million distractions just waiting to grab your focus- the phone, TV, internet, dishes, laundry, etc.  It’s difficult to balance it all.  To complicate matters even more is when you throw in the holiday season.  Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean there isn’t work to do or deadlines to meet.  Plus, most of us end up traveling quite a bit to see parents, grandparents, in-laws, or even grown kids.    So, how do you work from “home” while on the road for Christmas “vacation?”

Tips for Working from Home on “Vacation”

• Set realistic expectations for what you can get done.  It’s hard to work at the same level somewhere other than home, so either be proactive in your planning or allow some flex room for making up the time elsewhere.  It is vacation after all.
• Find a spot to work where you can set up and have everything you need to be productive. You may not love your spot, but it’s important you have somewhere to work.  It may be at your host’s home, or you may need to carve out time to leave and hit a nearby library or coffee shop.
• Talk to whomever you’re staying with and discuss your needs, even your preferences.  Often, your family just doesn’t know what you need (or don’t need) to be able to work.
• Similarly, it may be helpful to talk with each other and even your kids if they’re old enough to understand what and when you need to work.  It’s never good to assume everyone understands what you need if you haven’t actually said it.
• Use a fan or a portable sound machine to mask distracting noises, including your own flesh and blood.

With realistic expectations and a good sound machine in place, here’s to returning home having accomplished all that you hoped to!

It’s Thanksgiving week, and I am feeling very thankful.  Truly.  We so often say “thank you” for mundane things, such as a funny YouTube clip or having the door held open for us.  We teach our children to say thank you well before they understand the concept.  These are good reasons to say thank you, but are we saying thanks for the bigger things, too?  What are we really, truly, deeply thankful for?

I am thankful for so many things, such as the Lord and my family.  However, on a pretty personal level, I am deeply thankful to work for a company that allows me to honor my values and commitments and help my husband pay for his PhD in Scotland, a company that values honesty and integrity and never asks me to waver on them, a company that has allowed me to work from home so I can stay at home with my 3 children, one of whom is brand new!  I wanted to say thank you to the wonderful people at Speech Privacy Systems.

Thankful for the little things, too…

As for daily life, I have a lot I am thankful for also.  I work from home, even when vacationing, so I appreciate anything and everything that helps me stay focused on work. Namely, I am thankful for my portable sound machine.  I’m not kidding.  It helps block distracting noises, such as the intense wind that seeps its way through drafty windows and chimneys, while I’m working or even trying to sleep.  It also helps my children sleep, especially since they started sharing a room.  Their ability to sleep keeps us all sane- they get the rest they need and I am able to work at night, too.

Thus, in honor of Thanksgiving week, I am thankful for the big and small things in life, including a great job that lets me work from home and also gives me the tools to work from home, such as a sound machine.

Tips for Finding the Time

• Before they wake up & After they go to bed Two main times to work are before your kids awake up and after they go to bed.  It’s possible to work both those times, but most people have to choose based on whether their kids are early risers or early to bedders {Lord help you if they’re early risers and late to bed!}. Regardless of which you choose, I know it’s sacred down time, but it might be some of the quietest, most focused time you get during the day.
• During Down Time An alternative is to work during preschool, nap time, or movie/down time.  Whether your kids are napping, watching a movie, doing a craft, or enjoying some individual play time, this early afternoon work time can be a nice down time for them.  For me, it works best if we’ve spent good, quality time together in the morning so that this alone time isn’t painful or hard-won.  In addition, I try to have something quiet that my child likes and can look forward to doing while I work so that she doesn’t have negative associations of my work.  There might be a special toy or puzzle or movie you can save for these times.
• Co-Op Lastly, you might consider switching off with another stay at home mom.  You would each take turns watching kids so each of you gets some time to yourself.  Even if she doesn’t work from home, she could certainly use some by herself errand time.

Regardless of when you work, distractions are inevitable.  I have been working from home for 3 years now, and from kids being rambunctious to dogs barking to neighborhood sales kids with cookies, there is an abundance of noise.  I can honestly say one of the best investments you can make is a sound machine.  Choose one that suits you and your needs (it can even double for a sleep aid at night!) and use it so you can tune out a distracting world around you.

Finding the time to work from home can seem impossible, especially when you have to tune out distractions.  Try these simple tips for carving out some work time so you can balance home and work life.

As my husband once said, “Having a Monday off just means that I have 4 days to do 5 days of work.”  The same is true for working from home, even outside of kids, their schedules, and  upcoming birthdays and holidays.  Most of us only get a pay check if we produce work.  Producing work the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years is nearly impossible, especially for those who have families either at home or in town.

What’s my solution, you ask?  Well, there’s a reason I am posting this BEFORE Thanksgiving!  I have the same problem.  Instead of my daughter in preschool, my son napping, and us in our flat in Scotland, we are heading to Texas for 7 weeks!  So what that really means is that I am writing this on November 2nd, even though I have no intention of publishing it until the 15th!  And that, my friends, is my answer: work ahead.

Whether you have to get up an hour or two before the kids get up, stay up an hour or two later, or work more weekends, it’s essential that you carve out extra work time NOW so you can enjoy your family time later!  When my kids are at home and we get to see our families who are literally an ocean away most of the year is the last time I want to sit in front of my computer.  Thus, I am working hard now to enjoy later.

3 Practical Tips for Working Ahead of Schedule

1. First, I set realistic expectations.  I am away from home for 7 weeks.  I cannot do 7 weeks or work before I go. So, I make a list of difficult dates for working and make sure my work for those days is done ahead if possible.  For me, that is when I am flying, recovering from jet lag, and major holidays.
2. Secondly, I schedule when I have deadlines or need work turned in.  I usually write this on a calendar or log in on my computer fr easy reference.  I literally check it off when I’ve finished a project, so I cam see what else needs doing before I am on the airplane.
3. Lastly, I protect my work time.  I set aside time for work and work alone.  No chatting, snacking, snoozing, packing, etc.  W-O-R-K.  My trusty sound machine is my faithful companion in blocking out unnecessary noise that is potentially distracting (dogs, neighbors, street sounds, etc.)

So, for those of you like me who need to pay for the holiday that’s coming, I hope these practical tips help you get work done early!

How do you get work done when the kids are home?

I have previously posted on working from home and how I personally get it all done…but what about during holidays?  Whether it’s a long weekend, a week off, Christmas break, or summer, there are times that you need to work from home at the same time your kids are home.  As fun as it is to have the kids home from school, their presence adds a whole new stress to scheduling when and how you can get work done.  Here are a few tips that have worked for me.

• Be reasonable in your expectations.  Most people cannot accomplish as much from home during holidays, especially when kids are home, too.
• Before the holiday actually arrives, sit down and try to sketch a rough schedule of when you will be able to work.  Whether it’s while kids are at a friends’ house, sleeping, or otherwise taken care of, it’s wise to figure out just how much time you will have to work.
• Next, if you find that you won’t be ale to get as many hours in, if possible, try to work ahead in the days preceding the break.
• Another option for making up time is to see if there are any camps or activities you can sign your kids up for.  Don’t force it, and certainly don’t negate your income by paying an arm and a leg for it, but if there’s an activity or sport your child is interested in, this extra time spent doing might work out for all of you.  {Tip: some churches offer Bible schools, while community centers offer free activities as well.}
• If you have small children, try to keep working during rest times.  I have also found it helpful to reserve special movies or toys that they only get when I’m working.  That way, even if it’s just for half an hour, my children don’t feel like they’re being abandoned while I’m returning emails, etc.
• As you must have noticed, kids at home = more noise.  As a result, I always, I am a huge fan of sound machines for drowning out giggles and games.  ;)

Here’s to you balancing being a successful parent and a worker!

I'm not sure why she's smiling...working from home and being a mom at the same time is not that easy.

These days it’s all about being productive.  From productive parenting to being productive at work, efficiency and good use of time are essential.  Since I am a mom and I work from home, I am doubly focused on, well, being focused.  I have learned that keeping a 2 and a 4 year old on track while also balancing a work schedule requires a lot of planning and discipline.  Here are a few of the things I do that really help me maximize my time:

• I do not work when the kids are awake unless my husband can be with them.
• To make the above work, I have to be really intentional about getting the day started.  It’s easiest for me to work ahead- whether it’s washing and drying dishes or picking toys up off the ground, I prefer to get it out of the way rather than leave it for an already hectic morning.  That way when morning dawns, I don’t start the day behind.
• Similarly, I work ahead for my actual job.  Since most of it is writing, I try to do all the writing for the following week THIS week.  This one is two-fold: 1) Deadlines are stressful and accomplishing something early motivates me and 2) If one of us gets sick or something comes up, I have some slack time and still get a pay check.
• Lastly, I minimize distractions with white noise.  My husband jokes that I get sensory overload and shut down.  It’s true- too many noises or voices at one time completely derail me.  I need a quiet, peaceful work space for maximum productivity.  (I also use white noise for my kids’ rooms so they can sleep through my phone calls and the seagulls squawking.  If they’re not sleeping, I’m not working, and nobody gets to eat.)

Those really are the keys to my success.  Now if only someone would buy me this sit or stand work station, I’d really be lengthening my invoices.

I work from home while I take care of a toddler and a preschooler.  Sometimes my mind gets muddled in menu planning, teaching numbers and letters, potty training, and changing diapers.  Often, it’s hard to separate my personal life from my work world.  However, I am committed to being an excellent stay-at-home mom who works successfully during “down time.”  Being productive without going crazy, while essential for mothering and pulling in a pay check, can be tricky.  I’ve posted before about working from home, and the importance of white noise like this free white noise generator, but I thought I’d share another tip that keeps me on top of my schedule.

Each week I…

• plan a menu
• work on keeping my daughter accident-free
• schedule our family activities
• and try to keep track of work expectations and deadlines

That’s a lot of planning and thinking ahead.  One wall calendar just doesn’t cut it.  I have started using a free online printable calendar 3 different spots in my home:

• 

  If I want to jazz it up, I print it off on colored paper. Wild, I know.

  in the bathroom for a potty chart

• in the kitchen for meals and family activities
• by my desk for deadlines

For the potty chart, we put stickers for dry days and nights.  For the meals, I just write down what we’re having when and with whom.  My husband enjoys checking what’s for dinner.  For my work calendar, I use different colored pens/pencils to write down when work is due for what company (I write for several different groups).  I then highlight the more important ones, and since I usually work ahead, I always check off what I’ve accomplished so that I don’t get confused.  It’s a great system, and I finally am not missing important deadlines, nor do I have a million things written on 1 tiny square!

Here are a few tips to help you telecommute from a coffee shop (or book shop or anywhere with free Wi Fi) effectively.

1. Buy a drink or something to eat. Please don’t take up valuable table space and use their internet if you aren’t going to buy something from the shop. The exception might be if you are working from a book store. I’m not sure what etiquette would dictate on that. Although if you are like me, you will have trouble leaving a book shop without completely blowing your budget.

2. Get a good seat. This means something different for everyone. Whether you want to sit in a corner, by a window, on a chair or a couch, inside or outside, go ahead and be purposeful about where you are sitting so that you are comfortable and can work.

3. Make sure you have everything you need to work. Nothing is more annoying than getting there, buying your cup of coffee and sitting down ready to start being super productive, only to realize that you forgot your power cord, or a book you needed, or any other of a myriad of things. Take a couple of extra seconds before you leave the house to make sure you have everything you will need to do your work.

4. Bring headphones. You are going to the coffee shop to be productive, so be proactive and get rid of conversational distractions before they begin. A good play list of songs or some white noise will keep you from listening in on others conversations.

5. Don’t go when there are events planned. If you go during the day, there’s a pretty good chance nothing out of the ordinary will be happening. However, if you go  in the evening, check first to see if there is a band or other activity taking place. Its really hard to work if there is live music blaring in your ear or if the weekly knitter’s meeting is taking place.

6. Make sure laptops are allowed and welcomed. I guess some small mom and pop shops have recently started discouraging laptops. Seems like they might be biting the hand that feeds them…. Anyway, you don’t want to go where you aren’t welcome, so a quick look around to make sure there are others with laptops and that there are no signs discouraging their use would be a good idea.

There are many more tips out there, but these are a good start. Can you think of any more helpful tips or practices?

Reposted from Inc.com

Inc.com‘s take on working from home

If you’ve read this blog for long, you must have figured out that I work from home.  I recently found a funny post that I can relate to in many ways.  This is her lead-in to 8 Work-from-Home Tips:

Inc. Magazine lives in New York City. I live in the Boston suburbs. So for three years I’ve been working out of my home office with nothing to look at but the Ozark-esque compound across the road and nothing to listen to but squirrels striking the back porch when they miss the bird feeders. It gets lonely at times. My house lacks both a water cooler and peers to engage in conversation around one. I miss the random hallway conversations that unexpectedly ignite ideas or forge alliances. When I know my colleagues are staying late to close an issue, I work late too, out of solidarity. The managing editor offers to order in dinner and sends out a link to the menu. I mentally place my order.

Nothing to Listen to….?

I was interested in her description of lack of water cooler gossip and nothing to listen to as complaints.  She goes on to supply 8 tips that further intrigued me.  Instead of feeling relieved from the office distractions, this work-from-homer felt alone and isolated- in a too quiet place.  It’s hard to remember my home being too quiet, but I think it was before July 12, 2006 (the birth of our daughter).  And when I sit down to think about it, there are times that are too quiet- so quiet I can hardly think.  I start to look around at the specks on my carpet and the dust on my mantle instead of the work on my computer.  I’ve tried music, but it ends up distracting me at an even higher level.  Sometimes I can work with the TV on, but if it’s LOST, let’s be honest, I’m all in.  Too bad I don’t make money for the number of hours I have my computer open, right?

Besides setting aside time that is dedicated to work (not dishes, cleaning, diapers, or blog-reading), I also have to further protect my focus.  For me, it’s white noise (give this free white noise generator a shot if you’ve never tried one).  I love the consistency and gentle hum it brings as I stay glued to the page I’m working on instead of fluttering all over the place.  I love efficient work, so for more ideas for better focus while working from home, check out these tips- from me to you.  You’re welcome.