Last Friday I worked at home...and loved it! I've had a home-based business for over 20 years and even though I am based at home, I must go to my clients in order to provide them with my hard-earned expertise. Over the years I have been able to explore other income-producing avenues that allow me to actually work at my desk from home; so Friday was one of those perfect days! After a quick check on e-mails, I made coffee and got dressed for the day. Yes, I was planning to work at home all day, but dragging around in my pajamas does not make me feel productive; so casual pants and a tee-shirt was my chosen attire. 

I started with making a list of all that I wanted to accomplish for the day. Keeping it posted near the computer allowed me to cross off each item as I finished it; it also allowed me to feel really, really good about my progress!  My list included: client projects to work on, projects that I am working on for growing my business, accounting for the businesses my husband and I manage, phone calls to prospective clients, etc. At the bottom of the list I also added: personal phone calls and e-mails to make and return, light housekeeping, make dinner. Next to each item, I recorded the priority number in red, so I can proceed in an organized manner. This helps me stay focused on what absolutely had to get done at and at a specific time. For example, a client needed his financials done pronto for his upcoming meeting with his attorney: I got this done right away. 

Working at home takes structure and discipline. First you have to create the environment...is my desk organized in a way that I can reach for things I need without having to think about where I left them last?  Are my client files neatly arranged so I can access them efficiently?  Are my most important telephone numbers stored in the phone so I can use speed dial?  YES!  Time is money, so when I spend time looking for things I am not earning money.  When these type of things are not in order, you can be really surprised as to how much time they use up just trying to get to them...so taking the time and making the effort to set things up for yourself is a real investment = good time management!

Discipline is sticking to the plan you have set up. There are so many distractions when you work at home. Watching TV, taking a nap (yes, I’m guilty!), chatting with a neighbor, playing with your dog, etc. create a real challenge when we are looking for a way to avoid doing the work!  When I was first tempted with "doing other things" when I was supposed to be working from home, I decided to set up a reward system.  If I do two things on my list, I have a bite of ice cream.  If I finish at least half of what was on my list, I actually leave the office and take a long walk around the neighborhood.  I also like to think of "buying" my freedom when I do all of the things on my list.  If I work fast and efficiently and get everything done, I can relax in the evening and enjoy a nice dinner, a movie, etc. with my husband.

Speaking of husbands, mine is retired. We have a partner's desk in the home office, so he gets to have a place to sit and work on his "stuff".  Most of the time he plays games or checks sports scores, but hey, he stays busy, he stays out of my way and yet we can still be together. He is the perfect assistant in my business too...he loves to run the errands: mail box, bank, office supply store, etc. He also is the VP in charge of packaging the DVD I produced on Home-Based Businesses and going to the post office.  When I've got a question about something he is a great sounding board – his background in management is a very good asset to my own management experience. And yes, when I'm running late, he will start dinner!

The weather on Friday was sunny and warm.  The sliding door to the outside, which is right next to my desk was open...I heard birds singing, I saw squirrels dashing about and I felt the sun shine right across my desk.  What better working conditions can you find!?  Working at home is the best possible way for me to earn my income. I love it so much I help other people do it too!  Visit my website: www.thehome-office.com to learn more about what I do and how I can be of help to you to - if you want to work at home too!

Love what you do and live the lifestyle you create for yourself!      Helene :)


Home Office Management Experts
www.thehome-office.com


Helene will soon be hosting her own Radio Show: The Home-Based Business Show that will be starting on December 10, 2010 on Voice America - World Talk Radio. Do remember to tune in if you wish to learn from an expert about working from home. 


Congratulations Helene for a wonderful exposure, we wish you all the success. :)