The ABCs of Working at Home (A-G)

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

29 Jun 2006 04:06 AM

A = Acknowledgement

Some people fail to acknowledge that working at home means you actually have to get work done. Make sure you state that you are in fact working when friends call and say, "Hey, what are you up to?"

B = Breaks

You must take breaks. You still have to eat, exercise, and make sure you are sufficiently hydrated. A quick trip to the restroom with a refill of coffee upon your return does not qualify as an effective break.

C = Capital

Make sure you have sufficient means to start and continue your business long term until it begins to show a profit. Many new businesses fail because they do not have sufficient cash to cover operational expenses when starting out.

D = Delegate

In order to accomplish your goals, you may need to delegate more of the household chores or other tasks to other family members. It won't hurt your kids or your spouse to help out and if the towels aren't folded perfectly, life as you know it will not end.

E = Efficiency

Learn to be more efficient or in other words, work smart rather than hard. Combine projects or errands that can be done together, use fax, phone, mail, or email to communicate instead of making extra trips where possible.

F = Family

Remember that one of the reasons you started working at home was to make more time for your family. While the people you love may provide many a distraction, it is important to remain flexible and not lose sight of your original intent.

G = Get Out

It is imperative to get out of the house occasionally. You may begin to miss working outside the home, because you may start to feel like you are never "off the clock." If necessary, spend one day each week working elsewhere, such as the library or a coffee shop or café that offers internet access.

*See next article for H through M.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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