Being a mom is a full time job, so if you're a work at home mom, it's really important to find the proper balance your primary and secondary jobs (and hopefully, you'll see raising your children as the primary :).
This balancing act is one that takes time and experience to succeed in; there will often be the pull to chose between the work projects seeking your attention and your attention seeking children. While no amount of preparation can get you ready for all of the hurdles you'll encounter as a work from home mom, here are some ways to practically set up your home office to maximize both your jobs, and hopefully avoid some of the push/pull with your children.
Have a desk that is clean, cleared and by a window. Your space is where focus and productivity needs to happen. To do this, keep it clean and clear of clutter.
This can happen by doing a quick sweep of garbage and papers at the end of your time working. It doesn't matter whether your desk is an office desk, kitchen table or breakfast bar, but the importance of clutter free will help you focus when you sit down the next time to work.
Keep in mind the need for daylight -- which also gives you a way to keep an eye on the kids when they play outside.
If you work at night time or early in the morning, keep a bottle of peppermint essential oil on your desk so you can take a whiff when you need a pick me up. If you need something a bit stronger, consider a single-serving coffee maker, but make sure not to overdo it on the caffeine.
If your job involves a lot of time on the computer, consider sitting on a workout ball while working. Use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, and make sure that your monitor is at eye-level. Avoid the temptation to sit on the couch and work on a laptop, as this can kill your wrists over the course of a day.
Maintain a corner or the house, or a playroom for the kiddos; perhaps a "play office" in the corner of your home office where they can sit at a desk and "work" like mom is doing. A little box could contain coloring books, play-dough, DVD player, Legos, kid computer, etc. Your kids (especially when they're young) will want to do everything that you're doing, so use that to your advantage and work playtime and work time into the routine of the day.
Ultimately, it's going to be hard work, but setting up your work environment and setting a healthy schedule will give you the peace of mind to make it through the day, and it will help you keep the kids occupied and entertained when you're doing you work so that when you're done you can spend some quality time playing with them, rather than just disconnecting and unplugging for the remainder of the day.
Mon, 04/2/2012 - 01:56 AM | viewed 422 times
In February, 2012, Facebook held its 'fMC Conference' which introduced upcoming features and changes to the site, including Timeline for Pages. All of these changes impact the way an entrepreneur or smb can best utilize their Facebook presence to increase traffic, interact with fans, and ultimately, convert these fans into customers. Here we'll take a closer look at the changes to Facebook, how you can use the new features to your advantage as part of your business plan, and some helpful tips on creating a successful Facebook promotion.
Sat, 03/10/2012 - 05:35 PM | viewed 492 times
In the initial stages of a business startup, most entrepreneurs recognize that they'll need the expertise of an accountant at various times, but few realize that they'll no doubt need the help of another professional, an attorney. Their logic would be that they don't plan on breaking the law or getting sued, so legal services aren't necessary. The truth is quite the contrary, however.
Sun, 03/4/2012 - 01:54 PM | viewed 531 times
Now that you've developed a great startup concept, and you're in the business plan development stage, the time has arrived to come up with the right name for your new endeavor. There are a number of differing theories on what makes a great business name, but one thing is certain, choosing the right name can play a big part in how your business is perceived by your customers, and it can make or break your image.
Sat, 03/3/2012 - 12:55 PM | viewed 411 times
On average, roughly 600,000 Americans start new businesses each year. If you're one of the millions more contemplating taking that giant step into business ownership, don't let fear of the unknown stop you. Some of the stumbling blocks for would-be entrepreneurs include indecision about the right kind of business, a fear of putting their money and time into a business that fails, or they may simply have no idea where to start. Generating an idea for a small business isn't always easy, but with some good advice and common sense, you can learn how to choose a viable concept.
Thu, 03/1/2012 - 12:16 PM | viewed 618 times
If you're a small business owner or an entrepreneur involved in your first startup, you're well aware of the impact that successful Facebook marketing can have on your bottom line. Finding your way through the maze of available apps and tools is time-consuming, tedious work. If you're on the hunt for the latest and greatest ways to reach a larger audience and build your business, check out our recommended Facebook tools and apps that are specifically geared toward taking full advantage of your fan page.
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