Finding a work-life balance

Finding a Work-Life Balance when you Work from Home

Balancing work and home isn't always easy, but it can be particularly difficult for people who work AT home. When you live at the same place you work it can be difficult to separate the two, leading to a stressful situation. What follows are some tips for achieving a work-life balance.

Set Aside a Specific Time to Work

You might find it difficult to work at home while your children are home too. Every time you sit down to work a fight breaks out, or a younger child needs your attention. Besides, you work at home because you want to spend time with your family. How can you do both at once?

A good solution for finding your work-life balance is to set aside a specific block of time every day to work. This can be early in the morning before your family wakes, or after your children are in bed for the evening. If your spouse is willing, he can occupy the children after work so you can take your turn. You'll find you're more productive if you can complete a task without interruption than if you're constantly stopping and starting

Change into Your Work Clothes

Sounds funny, doesn't it? While the "work in your jammies" concept is fun, it might be easier to get into business mode after you get dressed. It's not necessary to bring out the business casual outfits from the back of your closet, but something more formal than pajamas will help to put you in the proper frame of mind.

Turn the Computer Off

Not working? Turn the computer off. You might be tempted to check emails and handle business during your non-working hours if have the computer on all day. By turning it on only during business hours you won't be so tempted to work during family time.

Don't Give in to Guilt

Don't feel guilty for having to work. Of course you stayed home to be with your children, but even Moms who don't work don't spend every waking second with their kids. As long as you have time for your children, they'll understand if you have to work longer hours than usual once in a while. Likewise, don't feel guilty if you're spending your time with your family instead of logged into your computer. Remember the reason you're working from home in the first place.

Take Time for You

After spending the day working and taking care of kids, you need to be sure to take time for you, even if it's only fifteen or twenty minutes. This time can be spent working out, meditating, practicing yoga, taking a hot bath, watching television, or enjoying a hobby. Take 20 to 30 minutes each day to do something you enjoy is a wonderful stress-reliever.

Prioritize

Make a list of your priorities and take it from there. Learn to handle the necessities but not to sweat the little things. Keep telling yourself that life is short and it's ok to spend time with activities other than chores and work.

Make Sure you're on the Schedule

When marking your calendar with kid's activities and work-related deadlines, make sure you write in your own needs. If you want to enjoy yoga three times a week, schedule it in on your calendar.

Don't Think in Terms of Money

Many of us are driven by our paychecks. By doing this we lose sight of the things that are really important. While you do want to earn enough to pay the bills, don't be consumed by how much money you can earn. Doing so will only drive you to work longer hours, taking time away from you and your family.

Work-life balance means finding time to work, spend quality time with your family and take care of yourself. You might feel you don't have minutes to spare but when you readjust your schedule to take care of you, you'll be surprised at how much you can do.

Finding a work-life balance