How to separate work from home life when working from home
I would love any tips on how to separate work and home life when my office is in my home. I struggle with this all the time, both blending into each other. When I was a CEO of a medical practice and laboratory I traveled to work so home was home. Now with an online business I have the luxury of working at home. The downside is that I don't put the business to bed at the end of the working day or I allow children or home life to enter into the work day knowing I can make it up later. Any ideas or tips??
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Erika Huckaby on -
I love this! I might consider getting signs for myself too so everyone knows which role I'm currently working in. :-)
Thanks for creating this discussion Genny, it's very helpful to learn how others manage their work at home time!
Lynne Kenney said:I really appreciated all these comments, they reflected all our different styles. Some moms are computer toters others are not. Some moms assign their work hours, others work 24/7. Alicia, I like your idea of different roles require different task demands and skill sets. That rings true for me. In the am I write before the girls get up (Lynne the author), when they come walking across the family room floor (Lynne the mom), I turn off the computer until after they are fed and off to school. Later in the day I cook (Lynne the me-time-mom). Perhaps I'll make some placards and hang them so the kids can check them and see who I am right now:). This cld be fun. I have to agree with Erika as well, work in the summer is the hardest, my kids do come first which can be frustrating to some people. I adore my work and hope that our girls will see work as passionate and fun and not something that only made mom busy.
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Rose on -
I have a big, white board on my wall with a written out schedule. It really keeps me focused to write down when during my day I am going to work. It may change day to day and sometimes the timing may not work out exactly as planned, but it really has helped me a lot.
Organization is key - and the irony is that I suck at it. I write everything in - from the time I get up, to the approximate amount of time it should take me to make breakfast, get everyone fed and clean up. I do this for things like play time, naps, lunch, dinner, etc. Surprisingly, you'll find that if you stick to it as much as possible, there really is more time in a day than you realize and you can accomplish so much more because you have a plan!
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Permalink Reply by Genny Esterline on -
I think you have something here. I know that if I write down specific tasks, a to do list, for the day it is amazing how each one is completed easily. When I just operate on the getting done what I can mode, the distractions come in. Great response. Thank you for this reminder!
Kimberly Rose said:I have a big, white board on my wall with a written out schedule. It really keeps me focused to write down when during my day I am going to work. It may change day to day and sometimes the timing may not work out exactly as planned, but it really has helped me a lot.
Organization is key - and the irony is that I suck at it. I write everything in - from the time I get up, to the approximate amount of time it should take me to make breakfast, get everyone fed and clean up. I do this for things like play time, naps, lunch, dinner, etc. Surprisingly, you'll find that if you stick to it as much as possible, there really is more time in a day than you realize and you can accomplish so much more because you have a plan!
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Permalink Reply by Jaymie Pierce on -
I have worked from home for over 3 years and I think it takes a life of it's own, you never really can separate the two like having an office away and being home. You just have to do what fits for you with your family. I have school age and teens and they like to be in the same room a lot, so I set up a desk with their own computer across the room from me, they piddle and I work and it's nice and quiet. I tend to sneak off during home hours to do this or that and having a lap top helps where I can do research sitting on the sofa during family time while everyone is watching a movie. I have trouble being still anyway, so it helps to mix both! I think having a business and working from home, a person has to fit in work when they can and share themselves with their family as much as possible
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Permalink Reply by Kid Organizer on -
That can make for a very long and tiring work day. You might want to try to put a sign on your door when you are working to let everyone else in your house KNOW that you are at work. If you feel the need to put a load of wash on in between biz calls, incorporate breaks ( aka coffe breaks) into your day and complete small tasks during that time.
Good Luck.
Marcella
www.organizingthedisorganizedchild.com
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Permalink Reply by Genny Esterline on
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Thanks Jamie,
Great perspective.
Jaymie Pierce said:I have worked from home for over 3 years and I think it takes a life of it's own, you never really can separate the two like having an office away and being home. You just have to do what fits for you with your family. I have school age and teens and they like to be in the same room a lot, so I set up a desk with their own computer across the room from me, they piddle and I work and it's nice and quiet. I tend to sneak off during home hours to do this or that and having a lap top helps where I can do research sitting on the sofa during family time while everyone is watching a movie. I have trouble being still anyway, so it helps to mix both! I think having a business and working from home, a person has to fit in work when they can and share themselves with their family as much as possible
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Permalink Reply by Single Rose on -
I wrote an article about this a month ago or so. It's titled Balancing Business and Motherhood. Click link to view.
Also, let me feature you!
Be Featured HERE on aMomEntrepreneur
Get more information HERE.
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Permalink Reply by Susan Tatsui-D'Arcy on
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Permalink Reply by Genny Esterline on
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How incredibly creative of you! Wow.
Susan Tatsui-D'Arcy said:
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Permalink Reply by Nicole Laws on -
I dont have any ideas of my own. Im struggling with the same thing and hoping to find some tips myself.
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Permalink Reply by Nicole Laws on
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Great idea!!!
Kimberly Rose said:I have a big, white board on my wall with a written out schedule. It really keeps me focused to write down when during my day I am going to work. It may change day to day and sometimes the timing may not work out exactly as planned, but it really has helped me a lot.
Organization is key - and the irony is that I suck at it. I write everything in - from the time I get up, to the approximate amount of time it should take me to make breakfast, get everyone fed and clean up. I do this for things like play time, naps, lunch, dinner, etc. Surprisingly, you'll find that if you stick to it as much as possible, there really is more time in a day than you realize and you can accomplish so much more because you have a plan!
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Permalink Reply by Juggling Mama on -
I understand completely! I have been working from home for 8 years and I still don't have it mastered Sometimes I feel like it is easier to work outside the home. I think the biggest thing I struggle with is time at home doesn't mean my attention is on what it needs to be at any given time! I put my office space downstairs but with the age of instant communications delivered to your lap top or phone, I find myself working all the time! There are tricks for sure but for the most part I think It just is something you have to accept as part of the home office gig!
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