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Picture this, it’s 10:00 at night. Your back hurts, your brain is toast, and your eyelids feel like the Sandman is perched on them. Every fiber in your body is screaming, “GO TO BED!”
But you want to squeeze in a few more minutes of work and do a “couple more things…”
Congrats. You’ve fallen into the Work-From-Home-Work-Around-The-Clock-Trap. You are SO normal.
As a seasoned home-preneur (yes, I made that up, and autocorrect keeps wanting to change it to “homebrewer or home-printer“), Working From Home Doesn’t Mean Working All The Time. You must have boundaries and limits and know when to stop online activities.
If you don’t, your mental and physical health will suffer. I know this from experience.
I also know setting time limits on tasks is hard to swallow when your workload is hanging over your head and the end of the month is looming. But in case you’ve forgotten, working from home’s main advantage is spending quality time with your friends and family.
Remember why you opted to work from home? Wasn’t it about “freedom,” “flexibility,” and escaping the Working-for-The-Man-and-Punching-a-Timeclock grind?
I so get it. And if this all sounds too familiar, now is the time to change.
When my kids were younger, my workspace was located on the second story of our home. There were times on a Sunday when I knew I had a butt-crack-load load of work that needed to be done; I swear my office started calling to me like some demented mermaid siren song. But as easy and tempting as it was to “run upstairs and do a few things,” I knew family came first. I had to simply trust that I would have the time and space to finish my work during my regular business hours.
No one should always work, and I am sure many of us telecommuting pros make that mistake. Working from home requires organization, time management, and, most of all, discipline.
8 Quickie Ninja Tips For HomePreneurs
Block it off: Mark your days or hours off on your calendar with either a Big Giant “X” or a smiley face. Resist the urge to schedule work stuff in those slots.
Set boundaries for your family: Call a family meeting and let the kids and spouse know that you need to commit to your work hours (with as few interruptions as possible) so you can have free time with them. Post your *hours* on your office door if you need to.
Set boundaries for YOU: Off-hours are off-hours. Your time off is non-negotiable. Work hard and make the best of your work time (stay off Facebook!) so you can rest and play with peace of mind.
Set boundaries with clients: My office hours are on my website and voicemail, so people trying to contact me know I have a life outside my business. If you find a client slowly encroaching on your off hours, it may be time to have an honest conversation with them.
It’s about working smarter, not harder. Whether you are a brand-new business or an established one, setting your goals, boundaries, and priorities (and sticking to them) will be a huge key to your longevity and success. Developing the internal discipline to stay on task and complete your work takes practice and perseverance.
Know when to say “no”: Many homepreneurs (like me) have the habit of not saying no to new projects or tasks even when our available hours are maxed. For me, it was I was sure that if I didn’t, I would be living under a bridge in a box within a month (my brain is obviously very dramatic). But I am living proof that, even if you do turn down work, there will be no boxes or bridges in your future. If declining work gives you the heebie-jeebies, create a waitlist for potential new customers. That keeps that lead close by and demonstrates just how freakin popular you are 🙂
Cut yourself some slack during work hours: Committing to your clients/tasks/workload during your business hours does not mean sitting eight hours with your “nose to the grindstone.” Take many “mini-breaks,” and they don’t have to be long breaks, either. Even going out for a walk for 15 minutes to refresh will make a difference in how well you concentrate afterward.
Ask for help when you need it: as a virtual assistant, I am a big supporter of outsourcing. However, I am an even more prominent supporter of knowing when to step back and take a good, honest look at what is working, what’s not, and why. Suppose you are having trouble getting your work done during your work time. In that case, you need to reevaluate your work habits, your time wasters (are you compulsively checking Gmail every two minutes?), and if you need to consider calling in the cavalry. My fellow freelancer Kathleen has created a fantastic business with over ten part-time freelancers helping her with her workload. It’s a win/win. She retains good clients but subs out the work, takes a small cut for herself, supplies people who need work with work, and frees herself up to work on more extensive and more lucrative projects. BRILLIANT.
I know you need to make a living but remember; work is not everything. There are family, friends, and hobbies to which you should also devote time. I firmly believe that earning all the money in the world is not worth sacrificing the most precious moments in your life. Not only is it ok to take a break, but you must do so. Working on your own can be very exhausting. You end up doing more harm than good by not taking a break.
Check out this excellent article from The Work At Home Mom: “If I Don’t Work, I Don’t Get Paid—Is It Okay to Take a Break?“
More Resources to Help You Along Your Side Hustle Journey
MOM BOSSING
MOM BOSSING: The Freedom to Create the Business You Love is a book filled with personal stories, resources, support, wisdom, and encouragement from a solopreneur who has worked as a mom boss. This step-by-step guide shares the truth, fears, tears, and cheers of being a mom building a business empire on her terms. Suppose you are looking for a new career for the “second half of life,” venturing into direct sales, rocking a home business, or dreaming of leaving a dead-end job. This book provides the building blocks needed to move forward with a healthy dose of humor and authenticity. In many ways, this book could also sport the tagline of Building a LIFE on Your Own Terms.
I was lucky to have Becky Flansburg join us at Multicultural Children’s Book Day when we first began our nonprofit. She was the “head elf, ” meaning she did everything from project management to help us get sponsorships. In the early years, we couldn’t keep her busy for more than a few months a year, and even that was very part-time. Becky’s contribution to the team helped us grow our nonprofit, and, in turn, we could keep her busier. Now, as a “mom boss,” Becky shares her journey and wisdom for moms who want to try solopreneurship. It’s particularly helpful for anyone who wants to become a VA (Virtual Assistant) author and mompreneur, Mia Wenjen
Also available on IndieBound.com.
FREElance FREEdom: Creating the Work-From-Home Life You Crave
Have you ever dreamed of working from home on your own terms instead of being confined to a corporate cubicle or windowless office? Have you ever dreamed of earning a steady and honest income while having plenty of time for friends and family?
Lucky for you, it is all very possible. I have successfully lived it for over twelve years, and I can’t imagine supporting my family (and following my dreams!) any other way.
This robust 90-page e-book and resource guide contains a treasure trove of excellent information about working from home (on your own terms), all rolled into a handy read-at-your-own-pace guidebook.
Whether you want to pursue a career as a freelance writer, virtual assistant, graphic designer (and more), this Resource Guide will provide the insight, tools, guides, advice, and strategies applicable to any freelance business. If you want the basics of getting started without support and coaching, this eBook is for you.
For anyone looking to start their freelance career or up their game, this book is the perfect place to start. This book is packed with actionable items and details about handling unruly clients, well-meaning visitors, and kids while working from home – it has it all! Highly recommended!~author and mompreneur, Carissa Andrews
For those contemplating the freelance lifestyle but needing a guidebook with baby steps, this is your manifesto! Becky Flansburg shares her tips for balancing a freelance career with a family, including the nuts and bolts, such as the online tools she uses for networking and running her business. Becky is a gentle and realistic cheerleader for anyone who wants to work at home as a solopreneur.~Mia Wenjen
FREElance FREEdom is Available on Kindle
Also available on IndieBound.com.
Available in Paperback on Amazon: mybook.to/FREElanceFREEdompprbk
thank you for the great tips!!
I no its really hard being a work at home mom, especially when you are sinle, which I am! Balancing family and working can be tricky but I have made it work for some time now!
I wouldn’t know how to find a work at home job that not only isn’t a scam, but also worthwhile pay.
Becky, there are places like HireMyMom.com or WAHH.com that have legit jobs for work at home moms!
Spend as much time with your kids when they are young as possible. You will bring a very strong bond that will be needed when they get older.
It’s so funny you said that Tara because I am exactly the same way. I have said for YEARS that direct sales (Avon, Tastefully Simple etc) was just not my thing. I have friends who are absolutely rockin direct sales, but it’s just not MY thing. Currently as a WAHM I work for other companies doing social media, blogging and writing. I don’t have to sell a thing but ME 🙂
I’ve thought about being a WAHM, but my hardest vice is organization – how do you stay organized?
I am in the same boat Danielle! Lucky for us, there are so many amazing free tools out there to help the “organizationally impaired” stay on track. Tools like Trello, Google Excel (any Google product, really)and Evernote and just to name a few. It’s “do-able!”
I plan to be a WAHM when my son is potty trained and not so whiney! LOL
Start small Amber! There’s is never a “perfect time” to get started creating the work-from-home dream. I started when my kids were little and I worked full-time. I would get up at the insanly early hour of 5 am and work on writing and blogging. It was only an hour, but it was enough to move me forward in my dreams little by little 🙂
Right now I’m working outside of the home, but I used to go to school from home and I had a really hard time staying focused with it. I always found myself getting distracted by my husband or facebook!
Oohhhh, I SO hear you on that one. I had to get up hella-early every day just to have that “un-interrupted time” from family. The social media distractions? WELL, I am still working on that one 😉
I cannot be one. I’m not a mother, could never be, and I’m disabled.
Thanks for commenting Mya. You don’t need to be a mom or make millions if you want to work on projects from home. Know what you can and can’t do and work around that.
I have been working outside the home for so long I really had not considered working from home. I have been with the company I work at for 10 years.
Denise, I worked in an industry for 30 years (started when I was 16) and that was outside the home. All I can say is that I had an “ah-ha” moment when I was around 44-45 years old. I just knew I wanted and needed more from life. But that’s just me and that was my dream. If I would have had a great job that I simply loved, maybe things would be different. I just knew I was ready for a new career for the second half of my life 🙂
I have been thinking about I can use the extra income. Right now the only thing I do is sell our old stuff on Ebay.
Tanya, that’s is exactly how I started! I’ve been an ebay seller since 2000. Love.IT. Somewhere someone may be willing to pay you for your ebay knowledge. You could create a how-to guide, teach community ed on getting started selling on ebay etc. If you love ebay, learn more about it. Become your “local expert” on the topic and you may be surprised what doors open up for you!
I think more moms should consider WAHM. Its better for them and the kids!
Helga thanks for visiting Franticmommu! I worked out of the home for many many years and many of my friends still do. Working at home is a beautiful thing, but not for everyone 🙂
I would love to be a WAHM! Just not able to right now nor have I found the right opportunity.
What are your skills and passions Cassie? Maybe I can point you in the right direction 🙂
Thanks for the great tips, i’ve been thinking about trying to work at home since I have two young children and these really helped me consider it more! Thanks for sharing!
You are sooooo welcome. It’s very “do-able” Cassandra 🙂
I love WHAM
I would love to work from home and these are great tips.
I sell things online so I would say I am a WAHM!
That’s how I started! I started selling stuff on ebay. Are you an Etsy seller?
This is extremely helpful. thank you!
I am actually a WAHM right now and have been for 3 years – I collect courthouse records online. It is great in some respects but not in others. For example, I love being able to be home for my daughter who is disabled BUT I also never get a break, and the work is 24/7 rather than something I leave at the office when I go home. So there are good parts and bad parts just make sure that if you decide to become a WAHM that you look at all the options first. It’s not always easy.
Erika, that is a very interesting online job! I have heard of people doing that but never really understood it. If you ever write a blog post about it, please let me know! -Franticmommy
I love working from home because I can set my own work hours, and I often work in the middle of the night.
I know, right? I form my schedule around the needs of my family. This weekend was MEA and the kids were off school Thursday and Friday. I was able to shift my workload around doing fun fall activities that I may not have been able to do in past years. The flexibility is priceless 🙂
I have really thoght about it but haven’t really found anything to get started with.
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
I yet a WAHM, but later in life, yes 🙂
jnkmailbx at yahoo.com
I’ve thought of transitioning from sahm to wahm but worry about all the logistics. your tips could help out there.
Yes, I have considered being a WAHM just recently, actually! I have my own blog that I’m building up and eventually want to quit my teaching career to have another child and stay at home.
I just love WAHM’s posts! keep up the great work!
Boundaries…boundaries…boundaries…lol. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sometimes I think getting a work-at-home job would be nice for a little extra cash, but as a homeschooler, not sure when I’d find the time LOL! But maybe when the kids are grown and I’m ready to join the workforce again …
I have made and sold many things from home to help bring in income for my family.
I’ve been a WAHM for a number of years. The best thing that I’ve learned (besides scheduled work hours) is to have your husband involved, or at least on board. Makes such a difference when you have that support!
As far as I’m concerned, I am a wahm all ready! thx