Can't You See I'm Working?
Author's Name: C.J. Hayden
Article Summary: For many working parents, telecommuting or a home business may
seem like the answer to your prayers giving you more time for your family and a
greater flexibility. But at the same time you will discover that working from
home includes many unexpected distractions. At times you may be expected to run
errands, handle chores, and chat on the phone breaking your concentration.
Author's Email: info @ getclientsnow.com
Author's Website:
http://www.getclientsnow.comWord Count: 658
Can't You See I'm Working?
C.J. Hayden, MCC
For many working parents, telecommuting or a home business
may seem like the answer to your prayers. You want to have
more time with your kids and greater flexibility, so you
take the leap, install a second phone line, and set up a
computer in the dining room.
But the first thing you may discover is that working from
home includes many unexpected distractions. Children, your
spouse, neighbors, and the family dog come and go. They make
loud noises, ask for your help, or interrupt to ask a "quick
question," always just long enough to break your
concentration.
Your family and friends don't seem to understand that you're
working. They ask you to run errands, expect you to handle
chores, and want to chat on the phone. When you see the pile
of laundry or stack of dishes sitting there waiting, you may
be tempted to take time out from work to clean up a bit.
You'd like to keep your house livable and be available to
the people you care about, but it's just too much for one
person to manage. When can you get any work done?
The way out of this dilemma is to set clear boundaries on
your space, time, and responsibilities. If your office has a
door, try having "open-door" time and "closed-door" time.
When your door is open, the kids can come say hello, ask
questions, or tell you about their day. When the door is
closed, it means "Do Not Disturb."
A good way to explain this to children is to tell them you
need some private time, not just that you are busy. If your
office doesn't have a door, you need one! Try to find
another place in your home where you can create some private
space for at least part of the day.
Setting regular working hours will help you manage your time
better as well as give some guidelines to your family. Build
your hours around the family activities that are important
to you. If your kids get home at 2:00, for example, set up
your work day from 8:30 to 2:00 and 4:00 to 6:00.
Your schedule can change each week to allow for your
children's activities, when necessary. Choose how many work
hours per week makes sense for you, design a schedule, and
post it on your office door. Highlight the open times, and
let everyone know that's when you are available to them.
If your family expects you to run errands and handle chores
during your work day, it may be time to hold a family
meeting. Explain to your children (and remind your spouse)
that it may look like mommy or daddy is playing on the
computer or chatting on the phone, but this is his or her
job, and it contributes to the family's income.
Start by listing all the jobs that need to be done for the
household, and who does them now. Instead of assigning
chores, try asking each family member to volunteer for
something. If there are lots of tasks left over, be sure to
ask if they really need to be done, or done as often.
(Dusting, for example, may need to go by the wayside.) If
you are doing chores during time you could be making money,
consider hiring someone else to clean your house, service
the car, or drive the kids to after-school activities.
When one of your boundaries gets tested, learn to hold the
line. If you give in even once, don't expect the boundary to
hold up. Try making the closed door, posted schedule, or job
roster the bad guy instead of yourself.
Instead of, "I'm too busy to talk right now -- you'll have
to wait," say, "The door is closed now, would you please
come back when it's open?" When friends phone during work
time, ask them to call back after hours. And when someone
doesn't do one of their chores, don't do it for them.
Serving a meal on dirty dishes may seem extreme, but it will
get the message across.
C.J. Hayden is the author of Get Clients NOW! Thousands of
business owners and salespeople have used her simple sales
and marketing system to double or triple their income. Get a
free copy of "Five Secrets to Finding All the Clients You'll
Ever Need" at
http://www.getclientsnow.com[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
