Is it really easier to work from home? While work at home mums enjoy more flexibility around their personal and professional commitments, they continue to have just as much desire and demands to perform in both roles. So how can mums ensure that working in a home environment and being their own boss doesn't negatively impact on the results they generate? Taking your professional role seriously while at home will be the key to creating successful outcomes, and here are 4 important factors in establishing a professional mindset and routine.
1. Set Measurable Goals and Keep Track. Job descriptions and performance reviews are essential tools to any employer. They are just as important for work at home mums, whether you work for yourself, or even if you work for an employer who does not consistently monitor your outcomes. First, establish the tasks you need to perform. Break it up in units, steps and milestones, and don't forget to include timelines. Second, determine your criteria for completion or success, once again including a timeline. This exercise performed regularly can truly help you set the standards for your work and what you want to achieve. It will help you keep track of your task, your timelines and your results. Most importantly, it will help you assess your performance and ascertain that what you are doing is working. If you're not reaching your goals, you need to either change them, change the timelines or change your actions to achieve them.
2. Working Time Is For Working. Family time is for being a mum. There is nothing wrong with putting a load of washing on between phone calls. However, work at home mums need a work schedule. Based on your goals and duties, establish a weekly schedule which is specific in the duration and the nature of your tasks. Flexibility is great; it means you can diverge from your schedule if you need to. It doesn't mean you don't need a schedule! Some 'serious work' periods of time should be assigned throughout the week at times when you are unlikely to be disturbed by your kids, family and friends, or your chores. These periods of time can be your power hours, when you can focus and be highly productive. In the times when you are likely to be interrupted, schedule small tasks which do not require your undivided attention.
3. Create Habits. As a work at home mum, I used to find myself doing many work- and family-related tasks without finalising each of them. I would end up later in the day with lots of loose ends to deal with. Together, a document not filed, an email not sent, a plate not put in the dishwasher, and a note not written on the spot would create a mess that had to be dealt with when I was ready to either go to bed or start my serious work period. Some of these tasks also would take longer to finish because I would have to re-open files, remember what I wanted to write or deal with a whole day's worth of tidying up in the house. Creating habits takes time. Specifically, it takes around 30 days of consistent action to create habit. So finish what you start. Clean up as you go, both in your office and your house. Become a highly efficient person who opens and closes tasks at once, and you'll see the difference in both your time span and your head space.
4. Apply Yourself To Create Maximum Results. You may be a mum working at home on your dining table in between school pick-ups, or in between breastfeeds, but this is still work. It is what pays you. It is what enables you to be home for your family while creating the income that will give you the lifestyle you want. Hard work, motivation and determination get results. Being your own boss can be your opportunity to expand your knowledge, widen your scope and set higher goals for yourself. It is up to you to acquire the new knowledge and skills you need to be excellent at what you do, be efficient at creating better results, and thoroughly enjoy your work. Take your work seriously, and you will get serious results!
5. Be Resourceful. Determine the tools you need to effectively accomplish your tasks, and source them. You may not have a employer or manager to invite you to meetings or training sessions. There are a few categories for which work at home mums may need to outsource services or resources: 1. Training, 2. Business Tools, 3. Support/Advice/Mentoring , and 4. Networking/Teamwork. With the help of the internet, you can now find anything you possibly need to run a successful business from home, whether it is technical support, financial tools, marketing materials, private coaching, a networking team, specialised training, and even business partners.
Working from home can be extremely rewarding, in particular when there is a great balance between personal and professional commitments, and when the desired outcomes are produced. Work at home mums who take their job or business seriously will generate greater results for themselves while being in control of their work-life balance. These mums set and measure their goals, have a work schedule, create effective habits, complete their tasks, are resourceful, and are determined and dedicated to achieving greater results.
Justine Simard is a stay-at-home mum and home business owner and mentor. Visit my website Work At Home Mums to learn about a Home Business Opportunity that allows mums to work at home around their children, as well as providing an unlimited income potential, a better lifestyle and more freedom.
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