Making Working at Home Work for You and Your Family
Have the end in mind and every day make sure your working towards it. ~Ryan Allis
For many people the very idea of having their own home-based business evokes such idealistic images as working in pajamas, spending more time with family, scheduling their own time, and never again having to deal with the morning commute.
The very thought can send shivers down the spine. What could be better?
Reality: Working from home is hard work
Yes, working and living under the same roof can be all of these things and a whole lot more, but it takes dedication and flexibility, especially when it comes to establishing a balance between your professional and personal home life where you can meet with some unexpected challenges … for instance overcoming the unending desire to work every waking moment of everyday … including weekends!
So what can you do?
Start by becoming clear about your ultimate goal.
If creating more personal freedom is your ultimate goal, it’s important that you decide what “personal freedom” actually looks like for you. Is it having enough money to pay off your bills, more time with your family, more leisure time for you, or all of the above? Whatever it is, how you will get to that point needs to be as much a part of your plan as the business itself; otherwise you may well grow a wildly successful home-based business only to find yourself working more than ever and no closer to your personal freedom goal.
Set realistic expectations.
Accept that while the rewards of growing a successful home-based business are ultimately worth the effort, it will take time and mastering sound personal time management skills. While there will be rewards along the way, first there will be the hard work of getting your new business off the ground and gaining momentum.
Look after your health.
Your health should always be your number one priority and yet it’s the easiest thing to take for granted when you’re up to your eyeballs in work. Stress is one of the biggest causes of poor health. To combat this, get enough sleep, eat regularly and choose healthy options, take time out for relaxation, and exercise at least three times a week.
Separate work from family as much as possible, or else you won’t be able to give either the attention they need.
Some parents start a home-based business with the idea that they’ll be able to save a lot of money on daycare and easily focus on both of their top priorities – raising their children as well as building a business. But the truth is it takes focus to build a business, and working with kids in the room is pretty much impossible.
HOWEVER, here’s where I’m going to deviate somewhat from conventional wisdom. I’ve worked with hundreds of home-based entrepreneurs and time and again found that those that involve their family in some way with their business are the happiest, least stressed and often the most successful.
At the very least, take the time to help your family understand and feel connected to your ultimate goal, and share some of your challenges and achievements along the way so they feel a part of your whole life, not just the moments allocated to them.
Create a dedicated work space, preferably with a door that shuts.
Perhaps the idea of working at home fills your head with visions of relaxing on the sofa with a cup of tea while you check your e-mail, or writing out business proposals in a sunny spot of the living room. While it doesn’t hurt to get a change of scenery, you’re likely to be more productive if you create your own dedicated office space within your home. Also it’s pretty much impossible to stay organized or leave work behind even for a short time, if your work is spread around the house.
Understand that working at home can be isolating.
Working at home might sound especially appealing to long-time cubicle dwellers, but the reality of running a home-based business is that it’s all too easy to get isolated and start to go a little bit stir-crazy … and yes, cranky.
It helps to make regular commitments to get out of the house. Meet your friends for lunch. Network (in-person, not just on Twitter or LinkedIn) with colleagues and prospective customers.
Recognize that this lifestyle takes negotiating, planning and prioritizing.
No matter how hard you try to keep them separate, your personal and business lives will overlap and, at times, collide. Try to maintain a sense of humor and avoid immediately stressing out when personal interruptions do occur. Develop the ability to break from work and become efficient by focusing on the urgency of the interruption and resolving it so you don’t have to worry about it. Then get back to your regular work schedule. Soon, you will learn to mentally maneuver and have a healthy balance between the two worlds without tension or guilt.
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Mahalo!
Very good advice. I have worked at home for the last twelve years and keeping a decent work-life balance can be a real challenge. Most people think working at home must be a dream job, but the reality is often very different. Thanks for the post.
Twitter: hmn4sale
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Great article Marty! Working at home is not easy as it sounds to be. You need to be well organized and have a lot of time management skills. Your suggestions seem to be really helpful. Thanks!
Hi Marty,
Can’t help but to comment on your post. i am also a work-at-home mom since I don’t have someone to take care of my kids. You’re right that sometimes, you are not able to separate your career from your family because all of them is just in one roof. I had a hard time managing my time in my first few months because I can’t concentrate with work when I see clutters around the living room.
It’s really challenging having a dual role at a time but its very rewarding at the same time since you’d feel like a superwoman/supermother.
Regards,
Vicky Porter
Although I *technically* work at home, I usually do a lot of my work elsewhere – like Starbucks or a park or somewhere that doesn’t have about a MILLION things going on to distract me. Otherwise I’d never get a thing done!
Twitter: kderoo
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Hey Marty,
Excellent article on the pros and cons on working from home and offering some awesome tips on how to achieve top productivity.
I love that you encourage that we include family in our business, I too feel that this is very important. My wife helps me out for a couple of hours every morning since she doesn’t need to go to work a traditional job.
I also agree that working from home can be a bit isolating and that you need to “get out” and socialize with friends, family, and business partners on a regular basis.
Thanks Marty for your insights,
Kevin
Kevin DeRoo recently posted..Chris Farrell Tells All
Twitter: hollyfulfordjef
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Great post, Marty!! Working from home can be challenging, but so rewarding.. I know that being available to get to all the day time events of my kids has been a blessing… sometimes it is tough to separate the two.. I also totally believe in having that space with closed doors — post it notes to not enter too!! If I have to go somewhere during rush hour, I dont’ like it at all.. so that is one thing I dont’ miss at all!!! Still working on a healthy balance!
Holly recently posted..How To Exercise Right, Do You Know How?
So glad you liked the article Holly. When I started writing this piece it reminded me of the moment I decided I would eventually put my “job” behind me. A secretary in my office had been moody for a few days and when I cornered her and asked if there was something I could help her with, she burst into tears and told me her driver’s license had expired – she’d been too afraid to ask the boss for the time off to go get it renewed!
Twitter: BobbiPrim
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Hi Marty! I just LOVED your article! It’s perfect not only for entrepreneuers, but newbies and especially those LOOKING for work at home opportunities. You have laid everything out, explaining not only the realities of working at home but also a bit of time management and organization as well.
I have to admit, I tend to become the work-a-holic myself and often have to catch myself – I call it my “addiction” – lol!
Thank you for sharing, Marty!
Bobbi Prim recently posted..Positive Thinking – Your Key to Success
Hey Bobbi – thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, and I’m really glad you enjoyed the article. I completely understand your “addiction” because I suffer the same affliction
Twitter: Yourinda
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Hi Marty,
what great suggestions for making working at home more possible.
You have covered a lot of aspects and a lot of people could benefit from your tips.
For me, the isolation is something I need to balance, especially since I have a tendency to being a recluse.
Much appreciated!
Love and Light
from
Yorinda
Yorinda recently posted..Forgivness and Feelings
Twitter: lynnjonesie
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Hi Marty, You have brought out very important factors to working from home. I especially identify with finding the balance. In the beginning, I worked as much as possible even into the evenings, practically ignoring my husband. Thankfully I have swung the pendulum back the other way and have become more balanced. I am more relaxed now. I also agree with setting those goals and getting them accomplished. Working from home can also have the danger of relaxing too much and not getting the important things (our Frogs) done.
I really liked this article because it gives the home business owner some food for thought before they dive in!
Thank you!
Lynn
Lynn Jones recently posted..Are You Prospecting or Recruiting?
Welcome back Lynn, and thank so much for your kind comments. I’m really glad you found my article interesting and useful!
Twitter: joyce_edwards
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Working from home especially doing things on the internet was at first very challanging. Hours would fly by and too many other things that needed to get done were left by the wayside, ie cleaning laundry, eating. It is something that needs to be mapped out so that your life does not become unbalanced. You have given some wonderful ideas to think about before jumping into a home based business. It is easy to forget that you are doing “real business” if you work at home, especially if you don’t get out of your pajamas all day.
Joyce Edwards recently posted..Worldwide Diabetes Epidemic
When I first dedicated myself to the Work from Home lifestyle, I searched for a tool that would help me to get Razor Sharp Focused, so that when I closed my office door and went to work, I got as much done in as short a period of time as posssible. Dollars to donuts, one of my kids or clients would be knocking on that door to get my attention, and the more I got done before that first knock, THE BETER
The best tool, that I have found for getting more done in less time is Simpleology: http://simpleology.com.
Peace,
David H. Paul
the Follow Your Bliss guy
from NeoTrainingNetwork.com
David Paul recently posted..How to Find Faith in Yourself and God
Twitter: PJZafra
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Hey Marty,
This is such an amazing post. You mentioned lots of great tips and insights here that could be really helpful for people looking to get in our industry and for people already in our industry. It’s always important to know the backstage of the home business and not just see the outside. It definitely does take a lot of work and dedication. A lot of discipline as well. I think your post pretty much painted a perfect picture that we can use for others to visualize as well. Thanks for sharing this!
Keep it up!
Pj Zafra recently posted..Get…That…Dirt Off Your Shoulders
Thanks Pj for taking the time to share your thoughts, and for your very kind words
Twitter: rachellavern
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Hi Marty,
You offer great points that one should consider if they are going to be working from home.
I love working from my home office. I am able to sleep in a few extra minutes, make myself a snack when I am hungry, have a nap in the sun for a coffee break, save on fuel costs, work in very casual clothing (although I do usually work in ‘business casual’ because it helps me keep a professional demeanor. I must admit that the distractions are enormous on some days.
Rachel Lavern recently posted..Why Failure is Awesome
Welcome back Rachel, sounds like you’re really enjoying working from home. I have to admit I struggle with making myself dress for work. I rarely have meetings and spend most of my time writing so generally my office attire is shorts or jeans. On the other hand, because of that I really do enjoy getting back into business attire for the occasional meeting or workshop so I guess it all works out. Thanks for taking the time to share!
Really important subject, Marty. I’m glad you bring it up. And with such thoroughness.
Although I’ve spent most of my working years at home, I still struggle with time management and discipline. It’s just too easy to do things you want rather things you really must.
I’ve found the biggest thing I’ve learned about working at home is to do your most important work first thing in the day. Once you’ve really done what you needed to, then you can give attention to less important things, more fun things or even just relaxing and doing personal things.
It is a discipline for sure, but so worth it for the freedom it brings.
David Merrill recently posted..How To Be A Profit “Producer”, Not A Run-of-the-Mill “Multi-Tasker”
Hi David, thanks for taking the time to share. I can certainly relate to the challenges of staying focused at home, though at the moment my biggest challenge is making myself take a day off! I’m a morning person myself (it’s 4am at the moment), so I also plan to take care of the most important writing and projects early when I’m most focused. My brain usually starts to get fuzzy around 5pm so I leave mindless stuff for later. Whatever works, but it is sooo worth it!
Hi Marty,
I have been working almost exclusively from home for 5 years now. Just happens to be the age of our daughter!
I relate to every point you make here. Of particular importance is the tendency to depression if you spend too long at home.
The rewards far outweigh the costs. Our girl is in day care so I can do some work. I really don’t work that hard for a pretty good paycheck. In fact my wife is often asking why I don’t do more work, even though I earn much more than she does in her day job!
I think the biggest challenge is that people can’t believe that any of us can live the lifestyle where we do what we want, when we want, and still earn a great income.
It takes time to build a business. Once it is done, it doesn’t take much to maintain it!
If you don’t work from home, you don’t know what you are missing.
John Gaydon recently posted..Are You Making Money From Network Marketing?
Hi John, I can really relate to your point about the misconceptions … there are so many, even to the point about the opportunities. There really are some amazing work at home businesses, but the “work” of building the business comes first. Which is why I think it’s so important to celebrate small accomplishments and victories along the way – to stay motivated and focused on growth. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Twitter: donna_tribe
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Great topic you have addressed here. Working at home can be delightful or a disaster. I find that having my own office is great, but sometimes I take my laptop down to the living room and work side by side with my husband as our dogs cuddle up with us.
I’ve been doing this for a long time and had to learn the hard way how to put up boundaries with family and friends. They would expect me to answer their calls when I was working, and were insulted that I didn’t. When I called back, at my leisure, I had to explain myself. It is important to keep in mind to make it clear to loved ones that when you are working, you cannot stop in the middle of what you are doing because you are home.
People don’t realize that working at home requires more time than at the office. We have to keep our structure and also balance our leisure time and time with family. I’m at the point where even my dogs understand it. Really….they may bark to go out, I tell them to wait and they lie next to me until I finish an email or something I’m working on. They even know the word wait. Then I take them out.
I think this post will motivate so many people that are working at home and finding it difficult.
As always, Thank you, Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..FACEBOOK CHANGES AND 11 STRATEGIES
Oh Donna, you made me laugh talking about your dogs because when my dog needs to go out she sits next to my desk and just stares up at me – having her huge brown eyes bore into me is pretty hard to ignore but, like your dogs, when I ask her to wait – she’ll lay down right there and wait for me. They really are amazing sometimes, huh? Thanks so much for sharing!
The office space with a closed door is definitely one of the most important things on this list! When I was working at home, I didn’t have that, and I know that I would have gotten so much more done if I did.
~Rosie
Hey Rosie, thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. It’s amazing what a difference a door and our surroundings in general can make, huh?
I’ve been toying with the idea of working at home, but I’m making sure to read lots of posts like this before I take the plunge. Better to be overprepared than under, right? Thanks for the advice!
~Kayla
Hey Marty,
Thanks for the great post. My husband and I work from home (on separate businesses). There are so many benefits of this lifestyle and arrangement – we love it! But, it is not without it’s challenges. It’s easy to get stuck in the pajamas and to just feel stuck. Thanks for your tips to help have a more realistic and more successful working from home experience.
Welcome Monick, and thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I also love working at home, but I’d be fibbing if I didn’t admit that I do love working in my oversized comfy t-shirts!
Hey Marty,
Thanks for sharing this post and all the perfect tips for success when working at home.
Each and every suggestion you made is imperative for home based business owners to recognize if they are going to find success.
So, Time management skills are essential for anyone who wants to achieve success..
How you manage your time at home will significantly impact the success of your home based business.
Poor time management can also affect is “the rest of your life.” Working at home in a careless manner can really take its toll on other things. You want to strive for a work/life balance.
Like you stated, it is not easy and planning properly is a key ingredient. You have to have focus and set parameters and stick to them.
Keep inspiring us,
Marc
Marc Korn recently posted..What Is The Key To Ending Procrastination?
Thanks Marc, and of course you are correct about the value of time management. In truth there are so many ingredients that go into achieving success with a business, but when it comes to working and living under the same roof – a successful business doesn’t guarantee a happy family life. It is however an important element to assure there is time to focus on personal priorities. Thanks, as always appreciate your comments!