How wonderful to be joining the bloggers here at WorkingMother.com, for indeed, I am one. Ready for the list?
Team Beachbody Coach: Helping my customers to decide on, commit to, and succeed, using the best in-home workouts to match their interests, goals, and time.
Freelance writer: Here, at workingmother.com, on my blog Cuppa Jo, Pittsburgh Mom, and Daily Fast Fuel.
Actress: After a recently relocating to a new city, I'm just starting to get my acting chops a-chewin' again.
Plus, I am the CCO (Chief Calendar Officer) for our household - juggling and organizing the schedules for my children, my husband, and, myself.
I work from home.
Repeat.
I work, as in, MAKE MY LIVING, from home. And frankly, that confuses a lot of people. I'm home, but, I'm not really "home" during the day. I'm in the office - which is MY HOME. (See how this can be confusing?)
It took some time to figure out how to make this work-from-home gig work. Here, is what I learned (at times, through failure), and have now applied. Perhaps these tips can help you also!
Set office hours: Since my job involves exercise, my office hours include home-gym time, as well as time in my office connecting with customers and other coaches on my team. Since I have school-aged children, my office hours begin as soon as everyone is off to school, and aside a few non-work commitments I have during the week, and housework, grocery shopping, etc, I work 9-3 - shutting down the office when the kids get home from school.
Dress for work: This is easy for me - as I start the day in workout clothes.
Leave the office in the office: All work-related materials are in my office - not the dining room, living room, bedroom, etc. They have a home.
Close the office door: During the day, not so much, but if I have to take a conference call in the evening - after kiddos have gone to bed, I close the door, and hang something on the door to say, "Busy - do not enter."
Choose one day a week to "slack": I have created this work-from-home environment and should be able to enjoy the perk of having done so successfully. Thus, on most Fridays, I relax a bit, and schedule lunch dates - unrelated to my job.
How about you? If you run a home business, or work from home, what tips can you share for keeping it running like a well oiled machine - and preferably one that doesn't take over your entire day, (working dusk 'till dawn), or house?
I'm glad to be here at Workingmother.com and am looking forward to connecting with you!
I'm impressed by anyone who
I'm impressed by anyone who can encourage others to work out. I worry that I intimidate others b/c I'm so competitive. I always try to welcome new members to my gym and encourage others to join. I feel bad when I hear other moms make negative remarks about their appearance.
Hi teacherrunnermom, Thanks
Hi teacherrunnermom,
Thanks for your comment. Believe it or not, the majority of my coaches all have kids that range anywhere from 1 and up. So all ages. some of my customers have babies they are still nursing.
I can't speak to the specifics of how they've made it work, but they have.
A few of them also home-school as well.
Hats off to them for creating a schedule that works for them. It's my job to sit down with someone and help them with their schedule if affording a YMCA or other gym is not possible.
So my biz is working well for all ages and stages. Certainly not for everyone, of course, but I do indeed have customers with young kids underfoot.
The problem with working out
The problem with working out at home is that you have to hire someone to watch your children. In my town, this can cost 10 or more dollars per hour. Most YMCA's provide free childwatch, and many other gyms do as well. Your business probably works ok for people with older kids.
Hey Sheryl! Yes, summer vacay
Hey Sheryl! Yes, summer vacay can be a mess!
My kids do have various activities during the summer: sports camp for the older, cub scout camp for the younger, and a mix of VBS at church and a few art classes that we can't take during the year.
However, there is always that 4-6 time where, if we've been at the pool or out and about, we head home for some down time. I try to take that time to work.
Also, since I utilized social media (mainly FB) in my business, I try to take the evenings to schedule my updates for the next day (via Hootsuite).
There is an art to working
There is an art to working from home, for sure. As you mention, balance can be hard to find. Setting boundaries does help. How do you handle summer vacation ? That is a tough one for those who work from home !