Working from home obviously offers many people some great advantages, especially parents, but I don't think people often realise the challenges that come along with it. In this post I am going to go through what I find difficult and what I use to help myself. I'll recycle some of the advice I have been given along the way.
They key problem for most has to be motivation and structure! Some people can find it quite hard to sit down and work, or get anything productive done. I would say, if you are someone that struggles with motivation the best thing I have found (in my short home working time) are to make a to do list and pre structure your day. So sit down first thing and write down a list of all the things you want to achieve in that day (or set out a few days) and them tick them off as you complete. The best thing about this is the actual list writing itself feels so productive, it sets you off on a good tone to start the day, start as you mean to go on and all that.. but just don't forget to actually get the stuff on the list done, as a great procrastinator I fully understand the difficulty in this! There are also some helpful apps and websites to help you structure your day and set 'to do' lists and targets, so have a look around for them!
We all know how effective social media can be to promote your business (I personally love it). But if your that someone who's not that into it or struggles to find the time, there are websites and apps that you can go to to schedule your posts for the week and set them to be sent out on all your social media platforms, HootSuite, Buffer etc. They are a great tool to use!
If you've got cabin fever, go away from home! Just get out. Go to a coffee shop or a library to get a few hours work done, sometimes a change of scenery is what is needed! Setting a specific work area at home is also very helpful, it doesn't have to be a separate room, just an area where you know that when you sit there it is time to work!
Another problem home workers find is that they are quite isolated and don't get to interact with others very much, the best solution for this is networking. Not only is it a chance to get out there and spread the word about your business and build up potential clients/customers, but its also a great way to meet like minded people and build a support network. Networking doesn't have to be expensive, have a look on Eventbrite.co.uk to see whats happening in your area!
Now, working from home with children is a different beast entirely! You may not be lonely but might just be driven to brink of insanity and back! Just remember the advantages, no expensive childcare and getting to be flexible enough to spent the time with your little ones. I read a fact on twitter that home businesses lose 4 hours of working time a day in the school holidays, and that does not surprise me one bit! The best advice i can give is not to worry to much, prioritise what needs to be done and set a flexible working schedule. I find that the morning is the best time to sit down and focus, it is the time when Tirion is most happy to entertain herself for a few hours and after that i can set another hour of structured stuff for her to do; colouring, craft sets or workbooks etc, even watching her favourite film.
If you've got cabin fever, go away from home! Just get out. Go to a coffee shop or a library to get a few hours work done, sometimes a change of scenery is what is needed! Setting a specific work area at home is also very helpful, it doesn't have to be a separate room, just an area where you know that when you sit there it is time to work!
Another problem home workers find is that they are quite isolated and don't get to interact with others very much, the best solution for this is networking. Not only is it a chance to get out there and spread the word about your business and build up potential clients/customers, but its also a great way to meet like minded people and build a support network. Networking doesn't have to be expensive, have a look on Eventbrite.co.uk to see whats happening in your area!
Now, working from home with children is a different beast entirely! You may not be lonely but might just be driven to brink of insanity and back! Just remember the advantages, no expensive childcare and getting to be flexible enough to spent the time with your little ones. I read a fact on twitter that home businesses lose 4 hours of working time a day in the school holidays, and that does not surprise me one bit! The best advice i can give is not to worry to much, prioritise what needs to be done and set a flexible working schedule. I find that the morning is the best time to sit down and focus, it is the time when Tirion is most happy to entertain herself for a few hours and after that i can set another hour of structured stuff for her to do; colouring, craft sets or workbooks etc, even watching her favourite film.
Check with your local council as they may run some free play schemes you can use! You could always take your laptop to a soft play centre, if you work in that kind of noise (yikes).
Another possibility is to team up with other home working mummy, maybe there are childcare sharing opportunities to be had, or working together and letting the children play IF they get on well (we all know how it is).
Although there is a lot to manage when working from home, I have absolutely loved spending the Holidays with Tirion, it is the first time i have been able to! I've also loved being able to be flexible around the home, it allows me to keep on top of the housework, now i can pop a wash on or have a quick clean up in the day. Oh the excitement!
Another possibility is to team up with other home working mummy, maybe there are childcare sharing opportunities to be had, or working together and letting the children play IF they get on well (we all know how it is).
Although there is a lot to manage when working from home, I have absolutely loved spending the Holidays with Tirion, it is the first time i have been able to! I've also loved being able to be flexible around the home, it allows me to keep on top of the housework, now i can pop a wash on or have a quick clean up in the day. Oh the excitement!
Well I've heard 'mummy are you done yet' about 58 times in the last five minutes so I'd better end it there! Good luck, I hope this has been helpful to somebody! Let me know what tips you have to share!
Josephine
xx
Ps tea and cake helps too!
Josephine
xx
Ps tea and cake helps too!
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