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Work at home moms, need some tips

eec129eec129 member
in Working Moms

Awhile ago I posted about my opportunity to work completely from home in my marketing job. I'm on my third month and while I enjoy it, I need some tips on how other wahm moms stay focused and organized.  Sometimes I find it hard to stay focused on work when I look around and see so many things that need to be done. I know I need to brush them off, but sometimes they can contribute to my overall stress levels. 

I also find that I'm having a hard time even getting dressed until mid-afternoon sometimes, which can be depressing! My excuse is that I do plan to work out each day, which I do some days, but others I never make it. 

What is your schedule on a typical work at home day? 

DD: 1/8/12
DS: 3/12/14

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Re: Work at home moms, need some tips

  • rockychryslerb2010rockychryslerb2010 member
    I have an office that I use just like I would if I was going into an office building.  I have a set schedule I try to follow everyday, and only take breaks here and there for food / drink / bathroom - just like in a real office.  I make sure my office space is clear each day, and I don't really worry about the rest of the house.  (Having a door I can shut helps with that)  I don't always shower/dress each morning, but I usually try to workout during my lunch or sneak away in between meetings, so I usually shower/dress after I workout.
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  • terpsfanterpsfan
    I work in a dedicated office space in my house as well (room with door I can close).  So that sort of "closes" me off from the rest of the house chaos.  It keeps me focused in there and I am pretty busy so I don't get pulled away too often.  If I find myself needing a break (other than a food/bio quick break) I will throw in a load of clothes, if there are some dishes in the dishwasher I'll put them in there, etc....nothing major, just things that take a minute to do.  In terms of getting dressed, I am definitely not the best to ask.  I get dressed in workout clothes (including uncomfortable sports bra) to force myself to workout at some point in the day (like pp i try to go at "lunchtime" or in between calls/meetings).  I feel dumb sitting around in workout clothes all day if I don't workout so that's a pretty good motivator.  I don't usually shower/change until night though (so yep, I sit around sweaty/stinky..another perk of WAH!).  I've had teachers at the kids daycare ask me if I was a gym teacher LOL.
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  • hoping4stickyhoping4sticky member
    You just have to think about it like the office. The only thing that I will do about twice a day do something that takes <15 minutes - laundry, load dishwasher, start dinner. I figure that I waste that much time in the office walking to the bathroom and chatting with co-workers.
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  • starswingerstarswinger

    I used to work from the couch and could not stand seeing all the housework that was not getting done.

    I have since reorganized my home office and try to stay in there during the day to get work done. I do take breaks here and there to do small chores (dishwasher load/unload, wash bottles, or throw in laundry) However, I try to limit these activities and find I am not distracted in the office.

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  • ridesbuttonsridesbuttons member

    I don't work at home, but I have a close girlfriend who did for some time.

    She got up every workday, showered, dressed, did her hair, put on makeup....the whole nine yards.  She set up her home office in the family dining room space which was a separate room with closing doors.  It was fully set up as an office, she was not working from a dining room table.  Family ate at the kitchen table.

    From everything I have heard from people that work at home, you MUST treat your day exactly the same as you would if you were going to the office. 

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  • reb562reb562 member

    I get up every morning, make breakfast and then shower and put on make-up, get dressed etc, put a load in the laundry and sit down to start my day..even though I have an office space, I usually work from my bedroom or living room, but I'm on the phone by 8:15pm making calls answering emails, etc..

    If I have stuff to do around the house, I wait until It's my lunch time and start picking stuff up, clean the kitchen or fold clothes...I'm back on the phone by 1:30pm and by 4:40pm...I start making dinner....that's pretty much my whole schedule but I'm really good at focusing on just work when I start.

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  • eec129eec129 member

    Thanks! I do have an office that I was using but fell out of the habit sitting at the kitchen table, couch, etc. I'm back in my office as of Friday and that is helping!

    I think I've let myself get too distracted with other work I need to get done rather than think totally about work, which is what I should be doing. Yeah it's nice to have a little flexibility, but I need to stay focused too.

    DD: 1/8/12
    DS: 3/12/14

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  • finhope11finhope11

    I think there is an adjustment period, so keep that in mind.  About a month ago, my husband and I started each spending 15 minutes cleaning/organizing after we put our son to bed. Between the two of us, this is 30 minutes of cleaning. It leaves our house clean/organized so I'm not tempted during the day.

    I just always remind myself that I do not want to lose the privilege and that helps me stay focused.

    I get up and shower in the morning, like I would going into the office. This helps in case I get called into any video calls last minute too. 

    I have a dedicated office space to limit distractions.

    If I have trouble focusing, I set goals of things to accomplish that day and hold myself accountable to meeting them.

    I do allow myself a lunch, as if I was working IN the office (which I'm taking right now). Often I'll get out and take a walk and that helps me get focused again. 

     

     

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