Home Business Wins

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Work at Home Success

I've been working at home with my own business for 5 years and have two boys, ages 7 and 4. So I understand the challenges of working my business around my family's schedule. While its inevitable that your child will come running the second you pick up the phone or sit down at the computer, there are some things you can do to make working at home a little easier.

1. Schedule your time carefully. Let's face it, moms are the best multitaskers around. I remember making a lasagna while holding my child and listening to a conference call, all at the same time! There are certain work-related activities you can do with your kids around. Other work activities require more focus. You might not have huge chunks of quite time, but there will be opportunities during your day. Treat these times like gold and dedicate them to such activities as client/prospect/partner communication. You can also get a lot done before the kids wake up or after they go to bed. This is the time to do things like marketing, send emails, write and admin work. Be flexible though. Things won't always go as planned, so try your best to take it in stride.

2. To Do List - Have a to-do-list of what you are going to accomplish each day and each week. Prioritize your list and incorporate deadlines. This helps you stay focused and it gives you a sense of achievement as you move forward in accomplishing your goals. There are some great contact management systems, such as Oprius, that help you stay on task as well.

3. Business Tools - You can do a lot of work while you're out and about if you have the right tools including a cell phone. If you're in California or another state that mandates hands-free cell phone while driving, invest in a Bluetooth (or do what a friend calls "BoobTube" where you put your cell phone on speaker and stick it in your bra strap - try it!). You need enough minutes on your cell phone (its really Tools for Successexpensive if you go over so have that buffer) and make sure you record a professional voice message.

You'll also want to invest in a lap top and a wireless card so you can connect to the Internet from just about anywhere. And there is some great technology, such as Foldershare, that allows you to connect all the files on your home computer to your laptop. There are some other time-saving tools you can tap into as well. Click here for some more ideas.

4. Mom networks - There are some great online communities for moms that allow you to share ideas, network, and gain support. Here are a few:

cafemom
workitmom
typeamom
themompreneur
mompreneurclub
momslikeme


5. Find support -- Running your own business can be a big challenge and its best if you don't have to do it all alone. There are support systems out there that you can tap into. Social networking sites are a great place to learn and connect with others. You can also seek the support and advice of a coach. There are all different kinds of mentors and coaches, from network marketing mentors to business coaches and life coaches.

6. Office space - You need a space for yourself to get your work done. If you have a separate room, then close the door and put a sign on the door handle with a picture of mom working. You can get your child to help you make the sign so they really understand what it means. If you don't have a dedicated office space, then find somewhere in your house that has the least amount of traffic and the fewest distractions. One friend who lived in a studio apartment in Manhattan with her husband and child literally used the bathroom as her office!

7. Get your kids involved - Explain what you do to your kids and why you do it. Chances are they'll be proud of you and over time, will understand why you need time to get your work done. Kids love to help so find small tasks such as taking the pages out of the printer or punching holes in your papers.

8. Take a break - To avoid burnout, set aside work-free time. A well-timed breather can give you the energy boost you need. Take care of your mental and physical health. It really is one of the best things you can do for yourself, your family and your business.

For advice and tips on having a successful home business, get a free copy of Home Business Wins