How to Set a Schedule when Working from Home

Working from home is something that many people dream of doing and many more are already doing it. Although it is said that working at home is the ideal job, no boss, no traffic, work how you want and when you want. Blah, blah, blah! These things are all in deed true, but to get to that point takes a lot of effort and hard work. I'm going to be 100% honest, you can not work from home successfully if you do not set a schedule to follow each day.

Setting a Schedule

The most important thing you can do when working from home is set your schedule. This will keep you from mixing work with play. At home, it is easy to get distracted by all of the other things around you, like the pile of laundry that has been staring you in the face for two weeks, or the dishes that you just need to wash. It is highly likely that you will get distracted and move on to some house hold chore and get behind in your work. Once this happens, it takes extra effort to get caught up. So, with that said, set up a schedule just as a job out side the home would have. Include the hours which you want to work, when you are going to take breaks, and when you are going to finish working. Include the days that you will work and the days you will have off. Try your best to stick to the schedule as accurately as possible and you will maximize your work day.

Limiting Distractions

During your scheduled work day, you will be able to achieve more productivity if you minimize the amount of distractions. Don't work with the TV on, I have tried this on many occasions and find myself getting caught up in what is happening on TV and lose my focus on my work. If you would not normally watch TV at a job outside the home, don't watch it inside, unless you are an excellent multi-tasker. Take only phone calls that are important, or relative to your work during your scheduled work day. Although working from home allows you the freedom to do what ever you want, if you have that kind of attitude you will find it difficult to get anything done. Work in an office or special room dedicated only to your work. This way, everything you need for a days work will already be in its place. There will be no need to roam around from room to room in the house searching for things, as this takes time away from your work. Also, everyone else in the home will know that when you are in that particular room, you are working and to not bother you. If your work from home is completely Internet based and you don't have little children to look after, try working from a coffee shop or your local library. You wont find to many distractions in places like these.

Working from Home with Children

The life of a work at home parent is not as glamorous as it is said to be, at least not in the beginning. It takes a large amount of patience to be able to handle a job while your kids are around. When I first started working at home I was so excited. I thought that I was living the life, being able to contribute to the household income and still be at home with my girls. I wanted to work at home full time and supply a full time income but I quickly realized that it is not going to be a walk in the park. Being a work at home parent you can not get away from distractions as easy as someone with no children or older children can. As the mother of a four year old and a six-month old, I find myself being distracted all day. So is it possible you ask? Yes! Of course it is possible, but this is why knowing how to set a schedule is important. As a parent of small children your schedule will have to be modified almost daily, so it is best to examine your children's patterns of daily activity and somewhat plan your day around them. I for instance, know that my little one wakes up around 8 AM and takes her first morning nap around 11 AM. When she is awake she demands my attention so, the most I can accomplish in the morning when she is awake is checking emails and planning what articles to write, which sites to write for and maybe small bits of research on any topics that I am not familiar with. Once she hits her AM nap, which usually last for two hours if I am lucky, I begin working. I do this again in the early evening as she sleeps for roughly two to three hours. Finally at her bed time which is 9 PM, I do more work till approximately midnight on most nights. This usually equals my eight hours a day, and has to be modified some days.

Unfortunately, for those parents with little ones, you may find it a bit difficult to complete your work day in one straight shot unless you have help with your children. Having a lap top computer makes life a whole lot easier when you have kids, because you can do your work from any area in the house or outside of the house. Just remember, if you have kids and are setting your schedule, note the hours per day you wish to work and the days you want off. It may help to already have your work load figured out the night before so that once nap times come you can get right to it.

Reward Yourself

Although a paycheck should be incentive enough, it may help to reward yourself for completing your schedule each week or every pay period. If you meet all of your scheduled work hours and break times for two weeks, then treat yourself to a movie, or a Mani/Pedi. These little incentives may help you to stay on target as you have something to look forward too. Don't worry about being able to afford it, with a set schedule in place and minimal interruptions, you will surely be making more money.