Working From Home - Managing Your Time

When working from home it can seem very difficult to manage your time. There can be countless distractions, things that just get in the way. Many of these are seemingly unavoidable. In fact, it is because you are at home that these little things are getting in the way.

So how do you manage your time when working at home? Well, the first thing you have to realise is that if you are not organised to quite a high level then your time will just become more chaotic.

Making the decision to run a home business means taking it seriously. And having the commitment to organise your time properly is vital if you are going to get anything done.

You see, when you worked in a nine-to-five you were paid for sitting around doing nothing, at times anyway. At home, with a home business to run, you have to be accountable for your time.

So take a look at the following pointers and see if you can use them when managing time when working at home:

1. Whatever you do, when you are working, turn off the email, instant messaging, television, whatever. You do not need these distractions, and they will kill your time.

2. If you have children, schedule them. Pick a time every day when you totally devote yourself to them. And stick to it. They will appreciate your commitment without distraction, and you will de-stress.

3. Keep your desk tidy. If you can't deal with something in two minutes, file it. Simple as that.

4. Tidy your email inbox. The same principle applies. If two minutes won't do it, then make a folder called 'to do' and do it later.

5. Do not, under any circumstances, work in your pyjamas.

6. Chunk your work time up into two hour slots, and then take a break. If that is too difficult, make it half an hour. But make that half an hour count.

7. Finally, let everyone you know who is incredibly pleased that you are at home (friend, family) know that you are working at home. They should understand what that means.

Working from home is liberating. But it is work. Remember that, and make it seem like a work day, and then you will enjoy it, rather than begin to resent it.

Sahail Ashraf is a freelance writer.

Blog: http://www.clearlycontent.blogspot.com

Website: [http://www.clearlycontent.co.uk]