Part 3. Working At Home Ruins Family Life. or Does it?
It is a business not an addiction to consume your life.
During Part 1 of the series, I went into details over how working from home can seem like a curse. You become obsessed or addicted if you will but, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. You can find Part 1 Here: https://steemit.com/blog/@ashleyonline/working-at-home-ruins-family-life-or-does-it-the-cold-hard-true-about-being-an-entrepreneur
In Part 2 of the series, I went further by detailing how working from home is FREEDOM and gives you a multitude of choices. But, with those choices comes consequences and each choice not only affects you but, your family as well. You can find Part 2 Here: https://steemit.com/blog/@ashleyonline/part-2-working-at-home-ruins-family-life-or-does-it-work-does-not-rule-your-life-it-provides-freedom
Let's dive into Part 3 together. Yes, you do own a business. Yes, you do work from home. But, working from home does not equal an addiction you cannot handle. It should mean freedom of choice, freedom to take off work when you need to, and it should mean you can put your family first. Although, it does not always work like that. Sometimes it can become difficult to decide what is more important. That is why I am going to lay out a clear plan you can follow that will not interrupt your family time too. Why not make working from home enjoyable?
It is a Business, Treat it as such
First, it is a business no matter where the location is treat it as such. You need to have met any license requirements for your area (if applicable). Always make sure you are working your business on the up and up. After all, you do not want to get shut down for the smallest of details. Each state, each country, has different laws on home businesses including direct sales and mlm's.
Business Means You Have Hours:
Now think very hard, when do you have the most time during the day to sit down and work? Maybe it’s the wee hours of the morning before anyone else in the house wakes up. Perhaps, it is the late nights when everyone goes to bed. It could be during the day when everyone is off to school and work. Set those hours to work. If you can work 4 hours a day productively your work is being done.
Being Productive Not just Staring At the Computer or Scrolling Social Media
Work has to be done and that does not involve scrolling through social media catching up on what everyone else has posted. Work means making a list of your goals for the day, setting your standards, and beating them every day. It means making sure work is done before you can become interrupted. After all, when the family wakes up or comes home they will want your attention.
Productively Working and Still Getting Chores Done
Why yes, we cannot forget about the bigger picture. We may work from home but, there is a list a mile long of things we need to do both for work and our family. Sometimes that list will feel never ending, maybe it is, who am I to say. I really like to set a timer for 45 minutes. During the 45 minutes I will work my tail off at business and then, those last 15 minutes are my household chores. I pick one chore at a time. Laundry okay, 15 minutes, put a load in the washer, put a load in the dryer, fold a load, put it away. Done! Back to work for 45 minutes and repeat!!! It really is that easy.
Unexpected Time Off
Now as much as we try to control everything in our little world there are some things we cannot control. The three year old bumps their head on the cabinet, the sixteen year old ditches school, the partner slices their finger over. Emergencies happen every day. Those days everything feels like it is spinning out of control. You had meetings set up, people to call, and work to get done. Now what do you do? Simple! Send a mass message to every single person you can think of letting them know of the emergency and that you will not be available today but, stress you will reschedule at your earliest convenience.
Off Hours
Yes, you need to have off hours. Especially when your family is most home. This way you can give both work and family life the same amount of time if not more to your family. They will feel more appreciated and you will feel happier knowing you can work from home providing the things your family needs and still see them on a regular basis. Don't worry work does not have to ruin your life if you don't let it.
Working from home is a blessing in many ways because we get to set our hours, dictate what we are doing, choose when we are off, and not have to worry about emergencies as much. Because we will be there for everything. There is no more missing out on the smallest things, no more stressing over an emergency, no more worrying about the kids or the partner. Because you will be there with them where you belong.
Just remember as much as it is a business never over-do it. Family and business only mix so far until it puts a strain on everyone. Keep it simple, don't over think things, and always go with your gut.