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August 22, 2016 0 Comments

7 Top Tips for Time Management

Time management is a hot topic these days.  Between family, a social life, and a career, it can be tough to make it all work.  When you work from home, you’re also balancing home activities, chores, and possibly kids as well, making it a delicate balancing act!

Read along for some tips and best practices to ensure that you’re being as productive as possible – while staying sane and making time for what’s important.

Organize your computer

When you work at a computer all day, you want it to look nice! Just as we keep our houses clean to keep mental clutter limited, your workspace is the same way.  Be sure to close unused tabs and try not to keep things running in the background.  While this can be convenient, it  slows you down by distracting you and slows down your computer with all the processing power.

One at a time

Settle into one task at a time! It’s tempting to open numerous tabs and begin flying through your work, task by task, but it’s not overly efficient.  Take the time to do one task at a time and you’ll find that you’re giving it much more focus and attention.

Set intervals

It’s been said again and again that working on a task for more than 90 minutes at a time is futile.  Work on one task for a set time, such as 15-90 minutes before taking a break or moving on to something else.

It’s also important to set intervals to get up and take a break! Time management is also closely tied to productivity, and you’re much more productive after taking a short break and coming back refreshed.

Multitask mindfully

It’s fine to throw in a load of laundry during the day – it’s one of the perks of working from home! However, if you do housework every few minutes, you’ll never accomplish your work. Take breaks throughout the day and schedule chores as needed.  For example, toss in a load of laundry in the morning, do the dishes on your lunch break, and take your pup for a walk during your afternoon break.  Not only do you get more done this way, but you aren’t disrupting your work time and you’re taking mini-breaks – a great mental management tool!

Say your schedule

Put your weekly schedule on your family calendars and let your friends and family know when you’re working.  It can be tempting to get out of the house at every chance when you’re a home based worker, but it’s important to get your work done too.

Another way to “say your schedule” is to know when to say no and be able to prioritize accordingly.  While it can be tempting to accept every role, event, and project possible, it’s not always in the best interest of your bigger goals or family life.

Get the right tools

Whether it’s client management system or a simple to-do list in Google Docs, figure out what works for you and stick to it.  Another important feature is a calendar that’s kept up to date and synced to your phone as well. This is also important for mapping out deadlines, staying on task, and prioritizing what’s most important.

Eliminate distractions

While it’s not always possible to eliminate each and every distraction if you have a house of kids and/or pets, you should have a plan in place for keeping them occupied during work hours. Whether you hire a babysitter, choose daycare or play dates for a part-time schedule, do whatever is needed to stay on task during work hours.

If you have an important call, be sure to arrange childcare and/or go to a quiet place so that dog barking and other noises won’t interrupt important business.  Of course this is not possible 100% of the time and most clients and employers know this, but do your best to establish boundaries and arrange for quiet working time when you need it the most.

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August 15, 2016 0 Comments

4 Tips for Back to School Success

You can feel it in the air – it’s almost time for back to school season! The commercials are in full force and everyone is planning their last minute summer getaways before the rush of school begins.

While this time of year is bittersweet, it can come with scheduling challenges and resistance to routine.  Follow along for some helpful tips to get back into the swing of things in a peaceful, organized way!

Reestablish routine

This is the #1 tip for back to school success! Reestablishing a routine is not always fun for the household, but it will pay off majorly very soon.

Starting now, begin going to bed earlier – a little bit each day.  From here, arrange for your kids to have quiet time for an hour or so in the afternoons.  This process gets them prepared for homework after school, and into the mode of work before play.  If your kids prefer doing homework at night, put the quiet time towards the later part of the day.

Another part of establishing routine is making sure everyone is checking family boards or calendars before they leave the house; this helps to avoid items being forgotten once school starts.

Just because it’s back to school time doesn’t mean all the fun has to end! It just means that those little parts of your routine that involve waking up earlier and spending time doing work independently can start being integrated right now.  Everyone will appreciate this process when the first morning goes smoothly!

Work ahead

Once school starts, mornings can be a little more grueling.  Kids aren’t the only ones who will feel the change – you will as well!

Additionally, as a mom, you might be responsible for pick up or midday happenings with the kids, which might be a huge change from your summer work schedule.  Starting now, begin working ahead in some of your home based work.  Luckily, this is doable in a work from home position, affording you some more time to get back into the groove along with your kids and family.

Get organized

We all know that there are often lists and numerous items that your kids will need for the school year.  By becoming organized with these lists now, you can avoid unnecessary purchases and ensure that everything needed will be in hand on the first day.  If you haven’t received a predetermined list from the school, start by organizing your list(s) by class, grade, and/or child’s needs.  You can refer to the previous year’s lists in the future as well, which saves time and effort.

This is also a wonderful time to organize your home! Starting the year with a calm, organized house leaves everyone feeling more calm and peaceful.  Show your kids where their items are to go – backpacks, shoes, school papers, calendars and so on – so they know what to do when school begins.  You can even have them start utilizing some of these things now in preparation for the year ahead.

Start your schedule

Much like reestablishing routine, actually begin and enforce a schedule right now! Morning routines can reestablished by waking up at a reasonable time, having a healthy breakfast, and potentially planning a few structured activities for the day to get everyone on a schedule.

When your kids go back to school, it’s important that they’re somewhat prepared mentally and physically for the transition.  Summer can often mean late nights, late mornings and lax schedules – and that’s what makes it so much fun! However, now is the time to get back into another routine that is more structured and also fun.  Kids and adults alike tend to thrive on routine, so establishing these schedules now will make those first few weeks as seamless as possible!

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March 22, 2016 0 Comments

5 Steps to An Organized Office

Organization is the key to success! Creating and maintaining systems of organization will allow you to work more effectively, efficiently, and with less chaos.

From your computer screen to your most important files, taking the time to organize will streamline your daily process and your office into a manageable system that seems to run itself.  Read along for some best practices in establishing a sufficient, organized office.

Declutter first

The golden rule of cleaning and organization is to declutter first, organize second.  It’s important to get all of the “junk” off of workspace before you can begin to organize it.  Take a day to go through every single paper, office supply, magazine, piece of mail, and so on, and put it into organized piles.

From here, invest in organization tools that will keep your items in order.  Think mail bins, desktop office supply organizers, shelving for more space, and so on.

Don’t forget your computer

Your desk isn’t the only thing that can become highly disorganized! Your computer is equally as chaotic when it’s not in order.  Start with your desktop – remove or digitally file away all of those past files, while creating new folders and files that make sense to you.  Be sure that everything looks neat and orderly,and make sure it’s all easily accessible.   We spend so much time viewing our computer during the day, and removing the clutter from your desktop and old files removes mental and visual clutter!

Not only is your desktop important to organize, but so is your inbox.  Make sure that emails and accounts are segmented by job position, employer, task, and so on.  Create a system that makes important communications easy to find!  Flagging messages is also a great way to stay organized and find things easily.

File it

Filing is incredibly important, especially for important items like tax information, business expenses, and so on.  Keep things clear and simple by categorizing, creating a color code system, or using a label maker and folders to segment your items.

Don’t just shove things in a file! Keep them organized and set up a filing appointment weekly. You can also look into digital filing systems for business cards and important documents, which is especially important for taxes and business structure.

Use the space

There’s a probably a lot of office space that you’re not utilizing!  There’s wall space for extra shelving, under desk space which is great for filing boxes and cabinets, and desk drawer space for organized office supplies. Closets are good for old binders, extra printer paper, and so on.

Put as many items out of view (in an organized way, of course!) as possible.  Vow to keep your desk as a clutter-free zone that only includes the most necessary items.  Don’t forget to go through and keep your desk drawer and/or organizers in order as well.

Everything in its place

Everything has a place and it’s your job to keep it that way.  Set up a designated area for work, which would be your desk, a place for all of your filing and organizational items, like your filing cabinet, and a place for older items, such as a shelf in your closet.

When you take the time to establish an organizational system that works for you, it’s so much easier to find important items and stay on track.  It also clears the mental and physical clutter from your life, which is not only healthy, but much more efficient.

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February 29, 2016 0 Comments

3 Tips to Declutter Your Desk

Decluttering is hugely important, especially when it’s a space that you’re using on a daily basis for work.  When we see clutter, it can interrupt productivity and cause unnecessary stress.  By acknowledging the clutter and coming up with a plan to keep it at bay, you’ll be able to work more effectively and in much more peace.

Read along for some best practices in decluttering your work desk.

Create a plan

Your decluttering plan doesn’t need to be time-consuming or involved! Simply decide what needs to stay, what needs to go, what can stay out, what needs to be filed, and so on.  Create these categories on a sheet of paper and go through each item or category, one by one.

Invest in the right supplies

The next part of your plan will be to invest in the actual supplies! It’s very important that you do step one – organizing and planning – before purchasing your supplies.  You won’t know what you need until you see what you already have.

This doesn’t need to be an extravagant investment, as typically a few space organizers, a solid system for success, and creative space-saving ideas are usually all you need.

Here are just a few ideas to get your home office on the path to decluttered:

  • Drawers are your friend: Utilize them to keep all small office supplies, such as paperclips, extra pens, rulers, etc.  These are out of sight, which helps with stress levels.  Seeing small items on your desk all the time is jarring, so keeping them safely away (and easily accessible!) is a two-fold win.  You can purchase drawer and desk organizers starting around $5.

  • Start labeling: Labels are very helpful, especially if you have a lot of storage boxes and bins.  Create labels that make sense to your filing and organizing system and stick with them.  Use a font, color, and size that’s easily readable, and place the labels so they’re easy to read from the angle of the storage container.

  • Try scanning: If you don’t need to keep physical paperwork, try scanning.  There are numerous machines that can scan for you, as well as offer you organization on your computer.  This is very helpful for those stacks of business cards, receipts, old yet important papers and so on.  The ultimate bonus is that scanning papers allows you to disregard them, freeing up space on your desk.

Keep it going

Once your plan is set and you have all the right supplies, be sure to keep things decluttered.  It’s easy to fall back into your old routine, but it’s worth it to stay on top of your newly organized workspace.

Take a few minutes to add “decluttering” to your calendar right now.  This can be done in 3-5 minutes per day, or you can choose to spend 15-20 minutes at the end of each week.  Choose whatever option is doable for you and stick to it!

By creating a solid plan and systems, purchasing the right supplies, and staying on top of your cluttered desk, you’ll be well on your way to a more peaceful, efficient workday.

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October 12, 2015 0 Comments

4 Ways to Stay On Task Working From Home

 

Working from home can really free up a lot of time in your schedule and allow you more time with family.  It’s an unconventional method of working that has many benefits, but it’s still work – and work still needs to get done in your day.

 

Without the structure of an office environment, it can be more difficult to stay on task and keep productivity flowing. Although this can be a challenge to figure out at first, staying on task while working from home can be attained in a few simple steps.

 

Separate Your Space

 

We hear it time and time again, but having a separate work space is truly a big key in a less distracting home based career.

 

Set up a desk and workspace that allows you time to be quiet, work with limited distractions, and is comfortable. This also allows you to separate work from home life, which is another important part of staying on task when it is working hours.

 

Take Breaks

 

Breaks are an overlooked important part of our workdays.  When we don’t take breaks, we tend to veer off course and start surfing Facebook, Instagram, and Googling random items online.

 

Taking breaks gets your blood moving, rests your eyes from the computer screen, and gives you something to come back to with full attention.  Taking 5-minute walking breaks, getting some fresh air, or just going out in the yard with your dog can be the mental break you need to stay on task throughout the afternoon.

 

Remove Distractions

 

Distractions are the #1 issue with working from home and staying on task.  Whether TV or radio stations distract you, first you have to learn what gets you off track and remove them.  While some people can work just as effectively with the TV going in the background, others would find themselves watching a movie marathon in no time. Know what your distractions are and eliminate them!

 

While you can’t always have a child-free or pet-free home to work, you can schedule babysitters for important meetings or schedule the important stuff around nap times or play dates.  Staying on task requires a bit of effort in removing any distractions, but it’s worth it for the work that needs your undivided attention.

 

What’s Important?

 

Determine the most important tasks and do them first! When you work from home, and especially if you’re also responsible for childcare, your days can take different turns than expected.


When you complete the important items and check them off your list early in the day, you free up the rest of your time for variable time schedules and happenings.  Prioritize with a list, calendar alerts, or by scheduling meetings at times when you’re least likely to have a distraction or something come up.

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March 23, 2015 0 Comments

4 Tips to Spring Clean Your Job

Spring is here and it’s time to change out the old for the new! Spring cleaning your job is a lot like spring cleaning your life. We spend many hours at work, so it’s important that we renew there as well. While we often see cleaning as tedious and something we have to do, it can actually be refreshing and a great way to move into spring and summer.

With this spring cleaning job list and tips, you can get a fresh restart. With the first of the year out of sight, some of us have fallen back into old routines. While routine is great for productivity, we often let the little housekeeping things slide. When we take some time to get these items in place, we feel so much better! As Spring is now among us, it’s time to clear out the old and establish fresh habits.

Dust Off Your Desk

This is an actual cleaning tip! Do more than just dust – do a good deep clean of your work area. Cleaning may never be fun, but we all work better when our workspace is clean and functional. Use products that smell good and create a sense of wellbeing. If you’re really feeling like you need a change in your office, consider investing in a nice, new chair or another supportive office tool or device.

Start a New Notebook

Who doesn’t love the fresh pages of a new notebook? Start a new paper, notepad, or online document where you can keep track of your daily list(s). Keep one for home and one for business. Starting fresh means prioritizing, keeping things separated and organized, and preparing for upcoming tasks and events.

File Away

We get in the habit of keeping stacks of papers and important information on our desks and in random cabinets. When you get into your job spring cleaning, don’t forget to file! Filing is important, and it keeps all of our paperwork organized. Whether you file actual papers or online copies, file everything. If you aren’t one to file, or you simply don’t have a system in place yet, now is the time. Create a filing and organizational system that will work for you, and one that you will actually do on a daily or weekly basis. If you file and organize as you go, it’s much less overwhelming than starting with a huge stack of papers every single time.

Decide for the Future

With spring cleaning comes a sense of renewal and starting over. What do you want to accomplish in the upcoming year? If that’s too broad of a question, focus your wants and desires on your job and organizational tasks. How could you be more organized? What systems make sense to me? Should I look into a professional organizer or online program that might help me to be more functional? Working smarter is key to eliminate having to work harder. Give yourself that gift this spring – an organized, smarter, and more productive work life!

Check out these other great articles about home-based jobs as a work from home professional. Also check out our home-based job descriptions and current job postings for mom professionals.

(Image courtesy of twobee at freedigitalphotos.net)

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March 9, 2015 0 Comments

4 of the Best Web-Based Organizational Tools

Staying organized is at the top of the list for success in a home-based career. When you don’t have a typical office to report to, the organization of your day and work falls to you. Luckily there are numerous web-based organizational tools to help you succeed!

Utilizing project management and organizational tools may sound like more work at first, but once you have them in place, they truly keep you on task, allow you to remember everything, and simplify your life.

We’ve compiled some of the best, most well reviewed tools so you can focus on career success while having your organization covered. These tools help you to manage projects, life, and everything in between so that you don’t miss anything.

Trello

Trello is an effective tool that utilizes lists for project and task organization. It allows you to create master lists (Boards) and then tasks under your Boards to stay organized. On one screen, you can see the big picture of your projects within your projects, keeping priorities at the top. Trello is free, has a simple interface, and is intuitive to use. Click here to check out Trello.

Basecamp

Basecamp is another project management tool that works very well for individuals, companies and organizations. Since you can assign tasks and organizing within your organization, it’s perfect for those working from home within a company. Similar to Trello in using checklists, you can organize clients, projects, and assignments in a simplistic manner. Basecamp has a free trial then starts at $20/month.Click here to check out Basecamp.

Google Docs

Google Docs is a free, easy-to-use tool within Google. If you have a Google or Gmail account, you’re set! In Google Docs, you’ll find Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, which allow you to create documents, spreadsheets, and details presentations. The best part of it all is that you can share your Docs with your company, clients or employers, and everyone can edit documents from their own computers. Google Docs automatically save, so you’re good to go as you work. Google Docs is free to use, and it’s a very easy way to keep important documents organized and easily shareable. Click here to check out Google Docs.

Dropbox

Dropbox has become very popular in recent years, and for good reason. It’s the perfect place to share, organize, and store online files, photos, videos, and so on. When you download Dropbox, you can keep the feed on your desktop, so when anyone from your team uploads a new file, you can access it instantly. Dropbox is also web-based, so you can login and access your files directly as well. It’s an easy way to free up space on your computer and share files easily without utilizing email. It keeps space clean and creates a central place to find any file. Click here to check out Dropbox.

The best way to stay on top of your to-do list for a successful home-based career is to stay organized with any one of a number of web-based organizational tools. These tools were developed to help you succeed!

Check out these other great articles about productivity / time management as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

(Image courtesy of holohololand at freedigitalphotos.net)

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