Ironically, I've been moving further and further away from what was once a joyful home office. I found myself in a space where I couldn't keep any of my work where necessary. Each day I had to pull out every single thing I needed--from several locations--where I needed them, which was not a place conducive to work. It was give and take if the Internet worked and always a revolving door for anyone to sit and talk "since I am not really doing anything anyway."
And that's the life of a home office, usually one that also houses kids.
With this I'm announcing I have moved to a new location and with it, a new home office. Everything will be in it's place and I now have commercial internet service and will not be worried about being in someone's space nor them in mine.
It's weird, because I truly believe you can work anywhere, however, it never occurred to me your state of mind may not be able to work anywhere. There's a point you can get to where you are taking much more time to be so much less productive that you no longer see working from home as viable.
If you are in a situation where you are feeling pressured, down, "blue, or even depressed by your surroundings, take a moment to shut down your business a few days and figure out where you are in need of help--because you are in need. Perhaps you can see a counselor, psychologist, Rabbi, church clergy member... even your primary care physician. Whatever it is you need, seek help and seek change so you can get back to the best you and a much better business.
Hosting Now Only $3.95?!?!
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Rethinking Everything
You're still here, I see. How about this, are you still running a home business? Are you loving it? Does it pay your bills or provide what you need it to provide?
If you are unhappy, rethink your business. Do you need to reimagine your role? Is there a possibly the market was oversaturated and it's difficult to compete? Are you a lazy record-keeper?
There are a few things you can ask yourself to help decide if you should continue to push forward or if you should consider cutting your losses.
Are you in love with the idea of working from home, running your own business, or are you simply passionate with something that happens to be run from home? Chose one, two, or all three; it doesn't matter as long as you are honest with yourself.
Is it YOU that is faltering? Is it the economy where your product or service is falling short?
Whether you lack the passion or lack the skills there are so many things you can do but one of them is probably to stop what you are doing and change it. You see, if your way isn't working, you MUST try another way--even if it hurts a little.
Freelance Writers
I've gotta say this: Do not fall in love with your words unless you are only writing for yourself (have at it!). If your goal is to earn money, yes, you have to write what you know and it's also good to be enjoying it, but you'll sell nothing if you are not satisfying the market. And when I say "market" I mean what your market really is/who they are not what you believe it should/they would be.
All Others
It's a new year and a new you, make it a "like-new" business where you work harder to succeed where success lives.
Still here? I'm just rambling because I am so dang tired and busy trying to figure out if I should change that I tithe 90% of my work because you know what? My needs completely changed but my work and my business didn't. Time to grow up.
If you are unhappy, rethink your business. Do you need to reimagine your role? Is there a possibly the market was oversaturated and it's difficult to compete? Are you a lazy record-keeper?
There are a few things you can ask yourself to help decide if you should continue to push forward or if you should consider cutting your losses.
Are you in love with the idea of working from home, running your own business, or are you simply passionate with something that happens to be run from home? Chose one, two, or all three; it doesn't matter as long as you are honest with yourself.
Is it YOU that is faltering? Is it the economy where your product or service is falling short?
Whether you lack the passion or lack the skills there are so many things you can do but one of them is probably to stop what you are doing and change it. You see, if your way isn't working, you MUST try another way--even if it hurts a little.
Freelance Writers
I've gotta say this: Do not fall in love with your words unless you are only writing for yourself (have at it!). If your goal is to earn money, yes, you have to write what you know and it's also good to be enjoying it, but you'll sell nothing if you are not satisfying the market. And when I say "market" I mean what your market really is/who they are not what you believe it should/they would be.
All Others
It's a new year and a new you, make it a "like-new" business where you work harder to succeed where success lives.
Still here? I'm just rambling because I am so dang tired and busy trying to figure out if I should change that I tithe 90% of my work because you know what? My needs completely changed but my work and my business didn't. Time to grow up.
Monday, January 9, 2017
Beginning Article Writing (Quorafied)
Practice:
Choose a book in the public domain—one that interests you and is well written. Find something in the book, just one part of it, and rewrite the story but as an article. Discover your purpose before and while writing--are you informing, entertaining, persuading, or serving some other purpose to the reader? When you are finished, read out loud. Change anything that doesn’t sound right. Read out loud again.
Next, give it to someone you trust and who will follow through. Have them read it and answer questions such as did every word move the article forward, was there repetition, did you write down to the audience, and what did they get from the article—what service did they feel you were serving?
You can do this until you feel comfortable, but the best way is to write articles for real and you’ll know you’re doing a good job when you get that first check.
Other Things to Do:
Read articles
Make a list of subjects you love and write about them
Make another list of subjects that can be entwined with other subjects and write about them
Write articles regardless of having a market or audience
Find online websites, magazines, and publishers that need freelance writers and ask for writers guidelines—this shows you what they are looking for
Get Used to Seeing Your Name in Print:
Write to the editor of your local paper regarding something current that you are also passionate about
Review products—books, movies, etc. and post wherever you can
Write a blog—whether personal or professional
Share your success stories with highly niche newsletters, for instance, your company newsletter, a product or service newsletter
Lastly
Article writing is fun and can be lucrative as long as push yourself—the writers who succeed do not wait for the check before writing—heck they don’t even wait for a green light from an editor or publisher—they write, send it in, write some more, send more in, write some more… and so on
Keep good records, not just on your submissions and paid work, but on your work itself
Do not be afraid to ask questions
Figure out if you are an independent contractor/freelancer and what the laws are about taxes
Choose a book in the public domain—one that interests you and is well written. Find something in the book, just one part of it, and rewrite the story but as an article. Discover your purpose before and while writing--are you informing, entertaining, persuading, or serving some other purpose to the reader? When you are finished, read out loud. Change anything that doesn’t sound right. Read out loud again.
Next, give it to someone you trust and who will follow through. Have them read it and answer questions such as did every word move the article forward, was there repetition, did you write down to the audience, and what did they get from the article—what service did they feel you were serving?
You can do this until you feel comfortable, but the best way is to write articles for real and you’ll know you’re doing a good job when you get that first check.
Other Things to Do:
Read articles
Make a list of subjects you love and write about them
Make another list of subjects that can be entwined with other subjects and write about them
Write articles regardless of having a market or audience
Find online websites, magazines, and publishers that need freelance writers and ask for writers guidelines—this shows you what they are looking for
Get Used to Seeing Your Name in Print:
Write to the editor of your local paper regarding something current that you are also passionate about
Review products—books, movies, etc. and post wherever you can
Write a blog—whether personal or professional
Share your success stories with highly niche newsletters, for instance, your company newsletter, a product or service newsletter
Lastly
Article writing is fun and can be lucrative as long as push yourself—the writers who succeed do not wait for the check before writing—heck they don’t even wait for a green light from an editor or publisher—they write, send it in, write some more, send more in, write some more… and so on
Keep good records, not just on your submissions and paid work, but on your work itself
Do not be afraid to ask questions
Figure out if you are an independent contractor/freelancer and what the laws are about taxes
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Simple Works: Home Business Tips That Will Save Time and Money
Raising seven kids has taught me well in life and business. My husband and I each brought three kids to the table (his three boys, my three girls) and we shared an extra child we couldn't love more. To get along as full siblings is nearly unheard of, but as step siblings? Nearly impossible. Yet, they got along well. Very well.
People complimented them often and would ask us the secret; it was always the same:
Like raising good children, you could not choose a better formula for business success, in fact, it's so easy, people overlook it. And wonder why they fail.
Working from home is a blessing, but also a curse. You may find yourself putting off something until "later" and later forgets to show up. The next thing you know, you're searching for your receipts to show the bank that there was supposed to be a charge reversal or your phone service is disconnected but not because you have no money--because you forgot to pay the bill you can't find.
Being thorough and consistent can save on late fees, lost accounts, looking immature as a business, and a huge amount of stress.
No matter what kind of home business you run or how much your business earns, these tips can change your life as you know it and keep in mind, I've cut it to the bare bones. Seriously, just do this if you are not already doing it.
Put your paperwork away in the same place. Every time.
Use file folders, even if you keep it in a cardboard box. You may end up with more folders than you really need, but as you are consistent in using them and putting them away, your mind will automatically be on the lookout for the best way to do this for you and your needs.
Your filing system is too elaborate if paper is piling up; don't work hard and loathe doing it, simplify. Some small businesses have only two files: IN and OUT. Whatever works BEST for your business and for the least amount of effort is exactly what you need.
Keep LIKE things together. Bills with bills. Receipts either stapled to bills or with other receipts divided only if you have so many it's necessary. Pens with pens all in the same place every single time. Get it?
Do not fight yourself. If you work better on the computer, scan your bills and keep in folders on your computer. Find an app for your phone that works with you. If you are a paper hoarder as I am, then stop trying to force making everything online. Go with what will make you get things done.
When you tell someone you will call... call. Follow through.
Work hard to make your day-to-day "normal" things--like filing and return phone calls--take five minutes or less.
If you have someone else working with you, learn to delegate and only work on the more difficult things that must have your attention.
This is enough to get you going. Do you know why? Because simple works.
People complimented them often and would ask us the secret; it was always the same:
Be consistent, accountable, and follow through.
Like raising good children, you could not choose a better formula for business success, in fact, it's so easy, people overlook it. And wonder why they fail.
Working from home is a blessing, but also a curse. You may find yourself putting off something until "later" and later forgets to show up. The next thing you know, you're searching for your receipts to show the bank that there was supposed to be a charge reversal or your phone service is disconnected but not because you have no money--because you forgot to pay the bill you can't find.
Being thorough and consistent can save on late fees, lost accounts, looking immature as a business, and a huge amount of stress.
No matter what kind of home business you run or how much your business earns, these tips can change your life as you know it and keep in mind, I've cut it to the bare bones. Seriously, just do this if you are not already doing it.
Put your paperwork away in the same place. Every time.
Use file folders, even if you keep it in a cardboard box. You may end up with more folders than you really need, but as you are consistent in using them and putting them away, your mind will automatically be on the lookout for the best way to do this for you and your needs.
Your filing system is too elaborate if paper is piling up; don't work hard and loathe doing it, simplify. Some small businesses have only two files: IN and OUT. Whatever works BEST for your business and for the least amount of effort is exactly what you need.
Keep LIKE things together. Bills with bills. Receipts either stapled to bills or with other receipts divided only if you have so many it's necessary. Pens with pens all in the same place every single time. Get it?
Do not fight yourself. If you work better on the computer, scan your bills and keep in folders on your computer. Find an app for your phone that works with you. If you are a paper hoarder as I am, then stop trying to force making everything online. Go with what will make you get things done.
When you tell someone you will call... call. Follow through.
Work hard to make your day-to-day "normal" things--like filing and return phone calls--take five minutes or less.
If you have someone else working with you, learn to delegate and only work on the more difficult things that must have your attention.
This is enough to get you going. Do you know why? Because simple works.
Simple Works: Home Business Tips That Will Save Time and Money
Raising seven kids has taught me well in life and business. My husband and I each brought three kids to the table (his three boys, my three girls) and we shared an extra child we couldn't love more. To get along as full siblings is nearly unheard of, but as step siblings? Nearly impossible. Yet, they got along well. Very well.
People complimented them often and would ask us the secret; it was always the same:
Like raising good children, you could not choose a better formula for business success, in fact, it's so easy, people overlook it. And wonder why they fail.
Working from home is a blessing, but also a curse. You may find yourself putting off something until "later" and later forgets to show up. The next thing you know, you're searching for your receipts to show the bank that there was supposed to be a charge reversal or your phone service is disconnected but not because you have no money--because you forgot to pay the bill you can't find.
Being thorough and consistent can save on late fees, lost accounts, looking immature as a business, and a huge amount of stress.
No matter what kind of home business you run or how much your business earns, these tips can change your life as you know it and keep in mind, I've cut it to the bare bones. Seriously, just do this if you are not already doing it.
Put your paperwork away in the same place. Every time.
Use file folders, even if you keep it in a cardboard box. You may end up with more folders than you really need, but as you are consistent in using them and putting them away, your mind will automatically be on the lookout for the best way to do this for you and your needs.
Your filing system is too elaborate if paper is piling up; don't work hard and loathe doing it, simplify. Some small businesses have only two files: IN and OUT. Whatever works BEST for your business and for the least amount of effort is exactly what you need.
Keep LIKE things together. Bills with bills. Receipts either stapled to bills or with other receipts divided only if you have so many it's necessary. Pens with pens all in the same place every single time. Get it?
Do not fight yourself. If you work better on the computer, scan your bills and keep in folders on your computer. Find an app for your phone that works with you. If you are a paper hoarder as I am, then stop trying to force making everything online. Go with what will make you get things done.
When you tell someone you will call... call. Follow through.
Work hard to make your day-to-day "normal" things--like filing and return phone calls--take five minutes or less.
If you have someone else working with you, learn to delegate and only work on the more difficult things that must have your attention.
This is enough to get you going. Do you know why? Because simple works.
People complimented them often and would ask us the secret; it was always the same:
Be consistent, accountable, and follow through.
Like raising good children, you could not choose a better formula for business success, in fact, it's so easy, people overlook it. And wonder why they fail.
Working from home is a blessing, but also a curse. You may find yourself putting off something until "later" and later forgets to show up. The next thing you know, you're searching for your receipts to show the bank that there was supposed to be a charge reversal or your phone service is disconnected but not because you have no money--because you forgot to pay the bill you can't find.
Being thorough and consistent can save on late fees, lost accounts, looking immature as a business, and a huge amount of stress.
No matter what kind of home business you run or how much your business earns, these tips can change your life as you know it and keep in mind, I've cut it to the bare bones. Seriously, just do this if you are not already doing it.
Put your paperwork away in the same place. Every time.
Use file folders, even if you keep it in a cardboard box. You may end up with more folders than you really need, but as you are consistent in using them and putting them away, your mind will automatically be on the lookout for the best way to do this for you and your needs.
Your filing system is too elaborate if paper is piling up; don't work hard and loathe doing it, simplify. Some small businesses have only two files: IN and OUT. Whatever works BEST for your business and for the least amount of effort is exactly what you need.
Keep LIKE things together. Bills with bills. Receipts either stapled to bills or with other receipts divided only if you have so many it's necessary. Pens with pens all in the same place every single time. Get it?
Do not fight yourself. If you work better on the computer, scan your bills and keep in folders on your computer. Find an app for your phone that works with you. If you are a paper hoarder as I am, then stop trying to force making everything online. Go with what will make you get things done.
When you tell someone you will call... call. Follow through.
Work hard to make your day-to-day "normal" things--like filing and return phone calls--take five minutes or less.
If you have someone else working with you, learn to delegate and only work on the more difficult things that must have your attention.
This is enough to get you going. Do you know why? Because simple works.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
This was written the first month I moved to Hawaii. It's actually decent advice, but it turned out I rarely get two hours alone, not all my kids are in school any longer, and I'm constantly following everyone else's schedule. If there's a way, I urge you to put yourself and your writing first. For me, it's just not going to happen.
At last I may actually get my writing taken seriously, not because my family
gets it after years and years, but because they are all adults or close to it,
they all go to school in some form or another, and my husband only comes home for lunch. Yes, I may get two hours to work each day uninterrupted.
Had to get that out. It's sarcastic, to be sure. I've only been talking about
this since the day I started taking my writing seriously in January of 1997.
We had a pretty spot picked out and organized for an office when I realized our
room is a great size, no one will walk through it, I can close the door AND lock
it, and I can easily not notice it at bedtime. And for those of you who believe
you shouldn't work where you sleep, fret not, I haven't slept well in years,
after taking everything out for years. It's time to work my heart out.
I have learned to make things easy on myself a bit. I didn't cut down, cut out, or throw things away, I simply simplified. 24 folders - 2 for each month, one is
immediate action because it's due that particular month, and the other is
anything received, like rejection slips, bills, and yes, check stubs! That's it.
Why make it harder? When I'm rich and famous, I still won't change it because
that doesn't happen often for writers, but if it did, I'd HIRE OUT!
Lastly, I ditched the desk and got a big round table. All my work and my laptop
can be there when I'm working and can slide into a small clear plastic tub when
I'm not working. Nothing complicated. I still use the desktop, but that's
downstairs in the office that will never work as an office because it's too
convenient. For. Everyone. To. Stop. Me. From. Writing.
And thanks for sharing my slice of Heaven.
Goodnight!
At last I may actually get my writing taken seriously, not because my family
gets it after years and years, but because they are all adults or close to it,
they all go to school in some form or another, and my husband only comes home for lunch. Yes, I may get two hours to work each day uninterrupted.
Had to get that out. It's sarcastic, to be sure. I've only been talking about
this since the day I started taking my writing seriously in January of 1997.
We had a pretty spot picked out and organized for an office when I realized our
room is a great size, no one will walk through it, I can close the door AND lock
it, and I can easily not notice it at bedtime. And for those of you who believe
you shouldn't work where you sleep, fret not, I haven't slept well in years,
after taking everything out for years. It's time to work my heart out.
I have learned to make things easy on myself a bit. I didn't cut down, cut out, or throw things away, I simply simplified. 24 folders - 2 for each month, one is
immediate action because it's due that particular month, and the other is
anything received, like rejection slips, bills, and yes, check stubs! That's it.
Why make it harder? When I'm rich and famous, I still won't change it because
that doesn't happen often for writers, but if it did, I'd HIRE OUT!
Lastly, I ditched the desk and got a big round table. All my work and my laptop
can be there when I'm working and can slide into a small clear plastic tub when
I'm not working. Nothing complicated. I still use the desktop, but that's
downstairs in the office that will never work as an office because it's too
convenient. For. Everyone. To. Stop. Me. From. Writing.
And thanks for sharing my slice of Heaven.
Goodnight!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Simplify
Years ago, when I had way more kids in the house and obviously too much time on my hands, this was my home office set up. I had a big beautiful desk in the corner, but I liked the open space better.
As I writer, I had to research a lot. My website program was only available through Windows (gag). I felt three computers (and a television) was just what the publisher ordered!
No more! I have since simplified - I now use mostly hand-coding for the website, and only my Mac laptop and iPhone - it's all I need. Not only that, but once I downsized everything, I feel better and am more productive.
Take a look around. Is there anything you really don't need? Is there anything creating MORE work for you? Get rid of what you don't need and work the you-know-what out of those few invaluable pieces.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The More You Do... the More You Do
We've all heard it said that busy people are the people to give "the job" to––they're the people who will get it done. Whomever said this is so right.
When I look into my past, I remember how much I relished having a full calendar and when I had an odd day off from most everything, I cherished it. More than likely, my appreciating quiet time made my busy time a thousand times better and a million times easier.
It's high time to get busy!
When I look into my past, I remember how much I relished having a full calendar and when I had an odd day off from most everything, I cherished it. More than likely, my appreciating quiet time made my busy time a thousand times better and a million times easier.
It's high time to get busy!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Times of Stress
When you think about it - when is there NOT stress? Somehow, you must go on. I must go on.
For me, this week, the stress is one of those "it's not the first time, it's the last time" kind of things. That's when those five minute spurts work extremely well.
All energy is zapped. All motivation is zapped. Out the window is everything I'd been planning to do - and it's replaced with things I'm now forced to do.
But my will power is strong. I will NOT let this completely throw me off track. For five minutes, I am going to write here in this blog. I will take another five minutes and write my page a day. You all know how I feel that business and exercise goes hand in hand, so I'm also taking a few five minute work-out breaks. And five minutes to do a quick clean-up.
Lastly, five minutes to write out a list of what I hope to accomplish tomorrow. I'm including the hope of having a no-stress (or let-it-roll-off-my-shoulders) kind of day.
Did I mention that I sent in a book proposal? It took less than five minutes to print it, address the envelope, and stick it in the mail. Who'd have guessed?
For me, this week, the stress is one of those "it's not the first time, it's the last time" kind of things. That's when those five minute spurts work extremely well.
All energy is zapped. All motivation is zapped. Out the window is everything I'd been planning to do - and it's replaced with things I'm now forced to do.
But my will power is strong. I will NOT let this completely throw me off track. For five minutes, I am going to write here in this blog. I will take another five minutes and write my page a day. You all know how I feel that business and exercise goes hand in hand, so I'm also taking a few five minute work-out breaks. And five minutes to do a quick clean-up.
Lastly, five minutes to write out a list of what I hope to accomplish tomorrow. I'm including the hope of having a no-stress (or let-it-roll-off-my-shoulders) kind of day.
Did I mention that I sent in a book proposal? It took less than five minutes to print it, address the envelope, and stick it in the mail. Who'd have guessed?
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
No Rest--or Work--for the Wicked
Accept my apologies for not updating recently; I'm extremely sick. Prayers and good vibes are needed and much appreciated. All work is on hold.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Focus
How do you focus on work, while at home? How do you concentrate when your children are present? Are you able to feel comfortable working while your spouse is watching TV?
These questions, and more, should have been well researched and studied before you started your business-even more than the actual business itself, after all, if you cannot commit focused time, your business will not thrive even if it was named Disneyland.
At first glance, babies appear to be the most difficult distraction, however, this is false. Sure, they'll make sure you know they need you and, yes, you won't be able to move forward until you deal with the precious child's needs and wants, yet babies and their schedules (and lack of moving about and talking), work for you. In fact, even if your babies are anything like every single one of mine [were], it's a simply a matter of not blocking set hours of time, but allowing yourself to work 30 minutes, take 15 minutes off; work 30, take off 15; work 30, take off 15. Smaller increments, but extremely productive (so much so, that I've adopted the "five minute plan") moments. It's amazing how much you can accomplish when you commit to those 30 minutes.
Obviously, you'll substitute your increment times according to Baby and your schedule.
Toddlers are not as easy to deal with, and they tend to be the most difficult. They often can understand you a thousand times better than you understand them. That's the cause of your needing to supervise nearly every single moment. Thank God for naps!
Though toddlers are extremely mobile and even more curious, you can make this work. Choose the things you can nearly count on to occupy five to ten minutes without standing over Toddler, like playing blocks (cars, ball, etc.) to do the things you most have to concentrate and get them done in small sessions (or wait a couple of years to start your home business). Use a high chair, a coloring book, and Crayolas once a day for fifteen minutes of business concentration. If your toddler can sit quietly for a cartoon, know that "their brains won't turn to mush" if they watch a limited amount each day you need to work. This can be a bigger break, generally a half an hour to two hours, and you can even sit beside Little Guy.
Never leave your baby or toddler alone in the bathtub and I do NOT advise you working whatsoever during bath time (I know, this is a no-brainer, but statistics of children drowning in a tub while the parent is home is staggering).
If you absolutely cannot share the concentration, hire a young sitter to play with Toddler for a few hours (or use an older sibling or the other spouse).
School age kids, unless homeschooled, and your business work magically. It's a natural home business progression that your work hours equal their school hours.
Teens don't want to need you and will continue to do so as much as possible. However, I find that my needing to focus on work brings about their neediness almost without fail. I set everything down and look into their eyes while they talk and secretly be thinking, "Hurry up! I love you, but I have work to do and you didn't give me the time of day while I was washing dished, folding clothes, or watching Jerry Springer!" This brings about some paralyzing guilt on my part once they leave my side, until I remember I'm working from home in part for them.
You can cure this one by doing two things: work while they're at school or socializing, and deep clean the house daily (the second idea's a joke, of course, get it?).
Your spouse. For me, it's my hubby. I don't know what to say about this because my husband doesn't even care if he talks to me, as long as I am near him. I try focusing at the table near his Call of Duty TV, but I can't. He's cussing at his online buddies and it's distracting. And back to kids for a moment, this is also the time when Dad can totally deal with all their needs--but their inclination is to come to me and ask me something. Hubby says, "Hey! Mom's working, whatever you need, come to me." And I inject my theory that they already interrupted me so that just makes it a longer interruption. Sigh.
Murphy's Law, right?
Anyway, my working is a no-go while Hubby's home. I work while he works or I work in the wee early morning hours. You may have a completely different situation (and we did set up a home office where I can close the door, but sometimes, me working by his side is all the free time I have to spend with him) and will learn to know it, work with it, and love it.
Maybe you can't sit and focus for hours at a time, but with a bit of creative maneuvering, you can run a business and run it well.
These questions, and more, should have been well researched and studied before you started your business-even more than the actual business itself, after all, if you cannot commit focused time, your business will not thrive even if it was named Disneyland.
At first glance, babies appear to be the most difficult distraction, however, this is false. Sure, they'll make sure you know they need you and, yes, you won't be able to move forward until you deal with the precious child's needs and wants, yet babies and their schedules (and lack of moving about and talking), work for you. In fact, even if your babies are anything like every single one of mine [were], it's a simply a matter of not blocking set hours of time, but allowing yourself to work 30 minutes, take 15 minutes off; work 30, take off 15; work 30, take off 15. Smaller increments, but extremely productive (so much so, that I've adopted the "five minute plan") moments. It's amazing how much you can accomplish when you commit to those 30 minutes.
Obviously, you'll substitute your increment times according to Baby and your schedule.
Toddlers are not as easy to deal with, and they tend to be the most difficult. They often can understand you a thousand times better than you understand them. That's the cause of your needing to supervise nearly every single moment. Thank God for naps!
Though toddlers are extremely mobile and even more curious, you can make this work. Choose the things you can nearly count on to occupy five to ten minutes without standing over Toddler, like playing blocks (cars, ball, etc.) to do the things you most have to concentrate and get them done in small sessions (or wait a couple of years to start your home business). Use a high chair, a coloring book, and Crayolas once a day for fifteen minutes of business concentration. If your toddler can sit quietly for a cartoon, know that "their brains won't turn to mush" if they watch a limited amount each day you need to work. This can be a bigger break, generally a half an hour to two hours, and you can even sit beside Little Guy.
Never leave your baby or toddler alone in the bathtub and I do NOT advise you working whatsoever during bath time (I know, this is a no-brainer, but statistics of children drowning in a tub while the parent is home is staggering).
If you absolutely cannot share the concentration, hire a young sitter to play with Toddler for a few hours (or use an older sibling or the other spouse).
School age kids, unless homeschooled, and your business work magically. It's a natural home business progression that your work hours equal their school hours.
Teens don't want to need you and will continue to do so as much as possible. However, I find that my needing to focus on work brings about their neediness almost without fail. I set everything down and look into their eyes while they talk and secretly be thinking, "Hurry up! I love you, but I have work to do and you didn't give me the time of day while I was washing dished, folding clothes, or watching Jerry Springer!" This brings about some paralyzing guilt on my part once they leave my side, until I remember I'm working from home in part for them.
You can cure this one by doing two things: work while they're at school or socializing, and deep clean the house daily (the second idea's a joke, of course, get it?).
Your spouse. For me, it's my hubby. I don't know what to say about this because my husband doesn't even care if he talks to me, as long as I am near him. I try focusing at the table near his Call of Duty TV, but I can't. He's cussing at his online buddies and it's distracting. And back to kids for a moment, this is also the time when Dad can totally deal with all their needs--but their inclination is to come to me and ask me something. Hubby says, "Hey! Mom's working, whatever you need, come to me." And I inject my theory that they already interrupted me so that just makes it a longer interruption. Sigh.
Murphy's Law, right?
Anyway, my working is a no-go while Hubby's home. I work while he works or I work in the wee early morning hours. You may have a completely different situation (and we did set up a home office where I can close the door, but sometimes, me working by his side is all the free time I have to spend with him) and will learn to know it, work with it, and love it.
Maybe you can't sit and focus for hours at a time, but with a bit of creative maneuvering, you can run a business and run it well.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mentally Physical, Five Minutes at a Time
"Mom," he asked, in exasperation more than curiosity, "how do you keep running so well?"
His mother jogged in place. "You have to make all your physical challenges into mental challenges. You put your lungs inside your mind, and think your way around the path. The same way that you have to make your mental challenges into physical challenges. When you're doing your homework--when you do your homework--just imagine that you're riding your bike, and you just have to push your way through."
After the Twilight series, Venice got into Glass
and all the Ellen Hopkins' books. She and I had a laugh when I told her she may have met her through our "Darcy," of the former Northern Nevada Family Magazine (don't ask!). Oh, how I miss those days, before I was sick.
But that's the way it goes. I read from The King in the Window about the lungs and making it mental, and though I know it's not in my mind, I love it. And likewise, I love making the mental into a physical challenge.
You know how I said I was unable to concentrate clearly, unless I was reading? No? Who cares, it's still true. Anyway, by putting what I need to do mentally, more or less, into a physical challenge, I see the beauty. Combine this with my five minutes throughout the day, and even the worst days can be more productive.
My primary focus with true crime at the moment, is for sure Lue Vang and Sue Russell's Missing Mondays, which I was working on before Lue went missing. Lue, as you might remember, is a 17 year old from Carson City, Nevada, who has been missing since April 29, 2011. There's a chance he's headed toward Seattle, but this is not a sure thing. Wherever you are, keep your eyes open and spread the word.
To work on these cases (and the True Crime Fanatic website), I merely have to take five minutes at a time and instead of thinking of it as researching, asking questions, etc., I'll think of it as five minutes until I can rest again. Five minutes of staying busy, on task.
As for all the other work, well, my lungs are in pain and talking is not really such an option, so if it can't be done via text and email, it's just not happening.
His mother jogged in place. "You have to make all your physical challenges into mental challenges. You put your lungs inside your mind, and think your way around the path. The same way that you have to make your mental challenges into physical challenges. When you're doing your homework--when you do your homework--just imagine that you're riding your bike, and you just have to push your way through."
~The King in the Window
, by Adam Gopnik
, by Adam GopnikThe past two weeks have been physically horrendous. My lungs have felt as if they're on fire and an elephant is stepping on my chest, yet it's the medicine I use that keeps me awake even longer than usual. If I nap, it generally takes two to three hours to fall asleep for one hour, and that's if no one comes in after a while.
When I get up, I feel nothing but guilt. Here's the thing, each day I rise, loving the day, wanting and needing to do so much, having a focused list. When I physically get out of bed, I am wheezing and hurting and exhausted (as I'm lucky to get four hours of interrupted sleep at one time) and everything is thrown back on the burner.
It's a vicious cycle, you know? Such wasted time.
Luckily, I'm a reader, this keeps my mind structurally busy. Writers must always read, otherwise, how can they know what readers want? I rarely read fiction, but the past three years, I've been reading whatever my kids are reading. I love having the commonness and dialog.
Ironically, the chose some great books, without knowing they've actually met the writers at a publishers' function or a writing conference I've been in, making us have a few more things to talk about.
After the Twilight series, Venice got into Glass
and all the Ellen Hopkins' books. She and I had a laugh when I told her she may have met her through our "Darcy," of the former Northern Nevada Family Magazine (don't ask!). Oh, how I miss those days, before I was sick.But that's the way it goes. I read from The King in the Window about the lungs and making it mental, and though I know it's not in my mind, I love it. And likewise, I love making the mental into a physical challenge.
You know how I said I was unable to concentrate clearly, unless I was reading? No? Who cares, it's still true. Anyway, by putting what I need to do mentally, more or less, into a physical challenge, I see the beauty. Combine this with my five minutes throughout the day, and even the worst days can be more productive.
My primary focus with true crime at the moment, is for sure Lue Vang and Sue Russell's Missing Mondays, which I was working on before Lue went missing. Lue, as you might remember, is a 17 year old from Carson City, Nevada, who has been missing since April 29, 2011. There's a chance he's headed toward Seattle, but this is not a sure thing. Wherever you are, keep your eyes open and spread the word.
To work on these cases (and the True Crime Fanatic website), I merely have to take five minutes at a time and instead of thinking of it as researching, asking questions, etc., I'll think of it as five minutes until I can rest again. Five minutes of staying busy, on task.
As for all the other work, well, my lungs are in pain and talking is not really such an option, so if it can't be done via text and email, it's just not happening.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tired?
Are you ever just tired? Tired of virtually everything? I am, but I know this is one of the pitfalls of working from home and I have to pass it.
The first thing to do is try to identify the reason behind being tired of it all.
Could I be weary of cold calling and getting nothing positive from it? Maybe I'm tired of working my butt off and seeing no extra money? What about positive feedback; are you getting any?
Second, we must figure out what motivates us? What do you need to make you excited again? What excited you so much, you decided to work from home, to be your own boss? What makes you feel like you can "do anything?"
Lastly, you try to "fix" the reasons, make them obsolete if you can, and you attempt to recreate the excitement. Even in love, you have to go back to basics, to start over once in a while, lest it become stale.
Your home business, emotionally, is much like love (the kind that leads to and resides in marriage). Home business (as is marriage) is NOT a feeling. But feelings do dictate your actions oh-so-many times!
As you are following my personal journey and trials of working from home, I figure I may as well let it all hang out:
Oh. My. News text alert, BRB.
LATER:
Ironically, as I wrote this earlier, something happened that pretty much changed EVERYTHING. With Osama bin Laden's death, I can't possibly concentrate, as we are a military family (if it's in the news; it's safe to use™ - IIItNIStU™) and are on alert. Work your business while you wait!
The first thing to do is try to identify the reason behind being tired of it all.
Could I be weary of cold calling and getting nothing positive from it? Maybe I'm tired of working my butt off and seeing no extra money? What about positive feedback; are you getting any?
Second, we must figure out what motivates us? What do you need to make you excited again? What excited you so much, you decided to work from home, to be your own boss? What makes you feel like you can "do anything?"
Lastly, you try to "fix" the reasons, make them obsolete if you can, and you attempt to recreate the excitement. Even in love, you have to go back to basics, to start over once in a while, lest it become stale.
Your home business, emotionally, is much like love (the kind that leads to and resides in marriage). Home business (as is marriage) is NOT a feeling. But feelings do dictate your actions oh-so-many times!
As you are following my personal journey and trials of working from home, I figure I may as well let it all hang out:
Oh. My. News text alert, BRB.
LATER:
Ironically, as I wrote this earlier, something happened that pretty much changed EVERYTHING. With Osama bin Laden's death, I can't possibly concentrate, as we are a military family (if it's in the news; it's safe to use™ - IIItNIStU™) and are on alert. Work your business while you wait!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Afterward
We're home after nearly a month being gone and $8000 lighter. In normal circumstances, I'd have earned money while traveling, but being a military family, this was NOT the time to work on purpose (of course, working after we sent my husband ahead would have been welcomed!). We're sending a soldier to a scary place for an entire year; we're not even sure he'll have much contact with us, as he had on the last deployment: time away from home was for him. For us.
Home is good, but we're not out of the woods yet, as he can jet off at any time. He's more important than any piece of work I do or dollar I can earn. Yet... I don't want to continue losing by being obsolete.
Ah, the joy of working for yourself!
Today, I'm solely working on emails and that's about it. Not too much thinking and not too much making plans I'm unsure I can keep, but it DOES keep me moving forward.
Tomorrow? Perhaps phone calls and dusting. A month is enough time to need to sift through papers and making sure everything important is on top and less important things are filed. Everything in place for when the time is right.
Friday, March 25, 2011
It Never Ends
Things happen. Good, bad, indifferent, things happen. We are still stranded at the airport and it's been OVER a week now. There are ways to bypass this, but after staying at the nearby hotel, feeding the kids, sending hubby home from another city to avoid being AWOL... we are broke. I'm not kidding. Day by day, we spend less and less on food. I haven't felt this down financially in quite a few years (thanks to my husband, he's a GREAT provider, but this turned out to be an $8000 month).
With the depression-let's call it what it is when you feel like you have NO CONTROL-I have no desire to do anything. This is why people with severe mental disorders (sadness and depression type) probably don't get help; it's like the lower and sadder I am, the less inclined I am to do anything about it. I have no energy. No will of my own (well, it seems that way), and believe it or not, I have most of the tools and things I need to work from anywhere.
You heard me write. I mean, you heard right. I have the screenplay. It needs work. I have tapes from The U-Haul Murders, I have Ricky Lenn Dyer's case... I have my mind. What's wrong with me?
I know, I'm talking to myself, so I continue... I think it's my self-confidence. Self, what do you think?
I think you're right! I think the fact you had a few leads with At Home America but knew 1) you probably couldn't personally do the party because you live thousands of miles away on an island, and 2) even if you could do the party, you are stuck in the airport and each hour you don't know if you can contact them much less help them in anyway, and all that made it even more depressing. Out of all my work, AHA is the easiest, really, it's all set up.
YES! That's right. What do you (Teraisa) have to do? Five minutes. That's it. Five minutes on each. Can you do that? I think you can. No, I KNOW you can. I'm off to watch five minutes of video, write for five minutes, answer five minutes of email, and I'm going to review my work for five minutes.
And that is how you change your attitude: five minutes at a time.
~~~~~~I'm done. I'm finished feeling sorry for myself. Again, I realize I'm the only one listening, but I'm so appreciative I'm not giving up on myself after all, it's not the first time my mind went on vacation and it won't be the last.
With the depression-let's call it what it is when you feel like you have NO CONTROL-I have no desire to do anything. This is why people with severe mental disorders (sadness and depression type) probably don't get help; it's like the lower and sadder I am, the less inclined I am to do anything about it. I have no energy. No will of my own (well, it seems that way), and believe it or not, I have most of the tools and things I need to work from anywhere.
You heard me write. I mean, you heard right. I have the screenplay. It needs work. I have tapes from The U-Haul Murders, I have Ricky Lenn Dyer's case... I have my mind. What's wrong with me?
I know, I'm talking to myself, so I continue... I think it's my self-confidence. Self, what do you think?
I think you're right! I think the fact you had a few leads with At Home America but knew 1) you probably couldn't personally do the party because you live thousands of miles away on an island, and 2) even if you could do the party, you are stuck in the airport and each hour you don't know if you can contact them much less help them in anyway, and all that made it even more depressing. Out of all my work, AHA is the easiest, really, it's all set up.
YES! That's right. What do you (Teraisa) have to do? Five minutes. That's it. Five minutes on each. Can you do that? I think you can. No, I KNOW you can. I'm off to watch five minutes of video, write for five minutes, answer five minutes of email, and I'm going to review my work for five minutes.
And that is how you change your attitude: five minutes at a time.
~~~~~~I'm done. I'm finished feeling sorry for myself. Again, I realize I'm the only one listening, but I'm so appreciative I'm not giving up on myself after all, it's not the first time my mind went on vacation and it won't be the last.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Life and Business
Working at home presents unique situations, such as the one where you have to put off your work in order to handle little everyday changes in plans.
Making cold calls today? Great, that means Johnny got sick at school and the school nurse will interrupt your call. Right? I'll bet you need to mail out several important and time sensitive papers. You guessed it, the washing machine broke and it was in the draining cycle; it drained all over your floor. You won't be mailing anything before the post office closes.
The thing is, just plan for the unplanned. Daily. It WILL happen. Daily.
When I drew up my general daily plan (I keep ONE list for everything-kids, work, house, etc.), I put five hours of work and chores on the list and I NEVER put a time on it, though I do mentally push through time slots the evening before, that way I have a road map of sorts to accomplish it all.
Five hours isn't much, considering the majority of people work more than eight hours a day (that and the fact you OWN your business), but if you concentrate, do it all RIGHT the first time, and focus, then it will be worth more than all the hours of the day.
You work from home for a reason, schedule in that something will happen and tighten up your commitment to your business. If you say you'll work five hours, work it. Who knows, maybe by planning for an accident, it will all go smoothly and you'll end up with free time.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
It's a New Day
Each day you wake, you have a golden opportunity: You can make the day better than the day before. Meet and exceed goals you have yet to meet, relax and enjoy your family, you can make a meal that you've been wanting to try for years... it's all up to you. We don't need "New Years' resolutions;" we need day to day resolutions.
For those of us working from home, it can be difficult to separate home and work. Those are the best days, because they remind you of how flexible you and life can be. Don't take it as a frustration, take it and make it work for them and YOU. Take that time, rest your thoughts about work and lists and goals, and hold your angel. Listen to them. Give them undivided attention. Hear them. Respond to them. Love them.
When all is said and done, aren't they why you choose to work from home? And honestly, when all is said and done, aren't you in a better frame of mind when you come out of that moment and get back to work? Aren't they?
By the way, if you can't get back into your work, take the time to sit down and read a good book. For direct sales, it's always good to study tried, true, and proven methods. For writing, there are thousands of books and it's hard to select only a hundred, so I'll give you a couple of my past favorites. Anything from the late great Gary Provost
is a good read and informative. Screenplay writing... you can't go wrong with Syd Field, he'll show you how to get into your screenplay and propose it so you have a fighting chance. I'm saving my favorite for last. I LOVE, love, love William Goldman. There's no better screenplay to read than one of his. I've read quite a few, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but my all time favorite to read (for my learning purposes) is Absolute Power. I could understand the acts, the direction, the characters, and the words quite easily.
is a good read and informative. Screenplay writing... you can't go wrong with Syd Field, he'll show you how to get into your screenplay and propose it so you have a fighting chance. I'm saving my favorite for last. I LOVE, love, love William Goldman. There's no better screenplay to read than one of his. I've read quite a few, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but my all time favorite to read (for my learning purposes) is Absolute Power. I could understand the acts, the direction, the characters, and the words quite easily.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Aside:
We've had something odd happen. A "homeless" "runaway" teen came to our home. Being a victim of a serious crime myself and watching helplessly as our children went through the same - and the law does NOT prevail... I could not let it go. Nor, for once, could my husband. The teen's gone back to her home, because legally she must, but I'm praying losing the time I've lost (workwise, of course) works out for this poor child, though I have not much hope. Always, always, protect the innocent. At nearly all costs.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Holiday Stress: Use It Before You Lose It
This year, don't let holidays get the best of you. Sure, we love holidays, but often, they can also mean a lot of work and preparation.
If you work in sales - be realistic. People are buying gifts, even with the economy, why not let them buy from you? Don't decide for them whether they can afford your service or not, just let them know it exists, and how they can use it. If they bite, run with it; if not, let it go. The worst they can do is say "no."
If you work in a home party business, know that this time of year is both the best and the worst time for a home party. Don't be pushy with the person who doesn't work her buns off to have the best party, be polite, work your best, and give it your all-just don't push, she may have so much pressure, it might be easier for her to call it off. Instead, surprise her. Perhaps you can make the last minute reminder calls? Maybe you can encourage the party to close that every night, that way people can make their decisions and get on with life. We are supposed to make life easier by having a party at home, not burdensome.
Creative workers may find they have too much on their brain all of a sudden. Why is it that when you have the most things to do, at a time you most want to do it (in other words, the chore you happen to love) your creative juices kick into overdrive? It doesn't matter. What matters is what you do with it. Did you know or realize that the more things you have to do, the more you get done? It's true! Maybe you only have five minutes here and there to write that book, make that craft, or paint a picture, but that's five wonderfully glorious minutes. Sometimes five minutes produces more quality than five days. Keep your mind open and look for opportunities.
Too many things these days are stressful. Surely the lines in the store or the traffic on the highway are going to be big ones for the next two weeks. Turn that stress into good stress. Use time in the line to make a business call you've been putting off until the "right time." The traffic is great to shake off the negative and clear your mind. How? Turn up your radio and sing. Sing as though no one can hear you.
If you work in sales - be realistic. People are buying gifts, even with the economy, why not let them buy from you? Don't decide for them whether they can afford your service or not, just let them know it exists, and how they can use it. If they bite, run with it; if not, let it go. The worst they can do is say "no."
If you work in a home party business, know that this time of year is both the best and the worst time for a home party. Don't be pushy with the person who doesn't work her buns off to have the best party, be polite, work your best, and give it your all-just don't push, she may have so much pressure, it might be easier for her to call it off. Instead, surprise her. Perhaps you can make the last minute reminder calls? Maybe you can encourage the party to close that every night, that way people can make their decisions and get on with life. We are supposed to make life easier by having a party at home, not burdensome.
Creative workers may find they have too much on their brain all of a sudden. Why is it that when you have the most things to do, at a time you most want to do it (in other words, the chore you happen to love) your creative juices kick into overdrive? It doesn't matter. What matters is what you do with it. Did you know or realize that the more things you have to do, the more you get done? It's true! Maybe you only have five minutes here and there to write that book, make that craft, or paint a picture, but that's five wonderfully glorious minutes. Sometimes five minutes produces more quality than five days. Keep your mind open and look for opportunities.
Too many things these days are stressful. Surely the lines in the store or the traffic on the highway are going to be big ones for the next two weeks. Turn that stress into good stress. Use time in the line to make a business call you've been putting off until the "right time." The traffic is great to shake off the negative and clear your mind. How? Turn up your radio and sing. Sing as though no one can hear you.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Not Enough Space?
Having an office away from the house is ideal, but for us, working from home is realistic. However, some of us don't have much space and often, our work is spread throughout house and when that one really important paper or order or interview [or insert your own misplaced important information here] comes up missing, we realize: our work needs its own space.
For me to simply say use a spare closet is silly. Who has a "spare" closet? I didn't when I had seven kids and an extra mother at home and I do not now. In fact, I'll be so bold to say, I doubt I'll ever have a spare closet because somehow, someway, I will fill it up to the brim and force the door to close. Then I'll pray no one dares open it.
There are ways around it. You can always pare down to basics, empty a closet, set up a TV tray or book shelf, and have instant storage for your products, a place to file paperwork, perhaps, even a mini desk (if you still use desktop computers, it's possible to get that in there, as well, but probably it's elsewhere... one of the pitfalls).
Set up a simple card table in the corner of a room. Some of us have available corners, others do not. Find a place, any place. You can have a chair to work, use half of the table for items you need daily (pens, stapler, paper) and the other half as your workspace. Under the table, away from your feet, store your files. You may need to keep products elsewhere, if your business requires products on hand.
Let me say that if you have so many products, there simply is no room at all, it's possible your place of business is not the problem, providing your intentions are to be at home working. It may be that your home business is a bit unrealistic. Some businesses are NOT meant to do from home (and that's okay).
Another wonderful item is a simple TALL bookcase. Utilize the height on the top of the walls, by building higher rather than wider. If you have bigger items, put them on the bottom so that their sticking out won't look so bad, if that's what you are worried about (I'd rather you worry about whether someone is going to trip over it or bump into it). Use trays to group things you use together. It's easy to take the tray down, work at the kitchen table, and put it back. Nice, easy, quick. You can use open files (no lids, as nice as they look, they will be a hassle in the long run) or use in/out boxes. How you fill it is unique and a no brainer, these are merely suggestions.
One thing I cannot stress enough: be willing to change and adapt as needed.
If keeping your pencils and pens separate seemed like a great idea and looked great but isn't working; change it. Change it until it works for you-if it doesn't work for you, it works against you.
Our kitchen is always a work in progress. When we moved (we've moved three times in less than a year's time), I requested the cupboard and shelf plans in advance and pre-placed everything. It looked good and it was reasonable. Until we used the cookie supplies, all these months later and we still did not have a clue how difficult it would be to get out and put away (for the kids). I thought of alternatives and found nothing better, which made me think another way. What would work better in the place of the cookie utensils? Nothing. Next, I asked myself, "Self, how often do you use these cookie things?"
"Use" turns out to be the key. We seldom use these items. Knowing that nothing fit in their place better than they did, and that we rarely use them, why not keep them where they are and have a bit of discomfort (for lack of a better word) once or twice a year?
Using the kitchen again, our spices are in a cupboard near the stove, where we cook (never over it). It stands to reason the sugars and flours would be there, as well. But I rarely use cinnamon, sugar, flour, sprinkles, etc. while I cook and the cupboard doesn't hold it all anyway. I tried moving it to the larger cupboard by the side of the sink. When anyone cooked, the spices would invariably be left near the stove, rather than being put away. I asked why and knew it was because as easy as it is, too many steps to do such a small thing was, well, too many, which led to too many more, now that we'd have to go back later, put them all away, and then some.
Who says all the spices have to be together? We grabbed all the spices we cook with and put them near the stove. The others, mainly used in baking (where you put everything together outside the oven, mix, or what-have-you), were stored in the larger one by the sink. We call that the baking cupboard. We've included pancake mix, flaxseed, baking mixes, etc., and it works. For us. Whatever works for you, is a blessing.
The point is, create your space the best you can. When it works, it works and do not mess with it. When it does not work, don't fight it and force yourself to make it work, change it until you get it right.
For me to simply say use a spare closet is silly. Who has a "spare" closet? I didn't when I had seven kids and an extra mother at home and I do not now. In fact, I'll be so bold to say, I doubt I'll ever have a spare closet because somehow, someway, I will fill it up to the brim and force the door to close. Then I'll pray no one dares open it.
There are ways around it. You can always pare down to basics, empty a closet, set up a TV tray or book shelf, and have instant storage for your products, a place to file paperwork, perhaps, even a mini desk (if you still use desktop computers, it's possible to get that in there, as well, but probably it's elsewhere... one of the pitfalls).
Set up a simple card table in the corner of a room. Some of us have available corners, others do not. Find a place, any place. You can have a chair to work, use half of the table for items you need daily (pens, stapler, paper) and the other half as your workspace. Under the table, away from your feet, store your files. You may need to keep products elsewhere, if your business requires products on hand.
Let me say that if you have so many products, there simply is no room at all, it's possible your place of business is not the problem, providing your intentions are to be at home working. It may be that your home business is a bit unrealistic. Some businesses are NOT meant to do from home (and that's okay).
Another wonderful item is a simple TALL bookcase. Utilize the height on the top of the walls, by building higher rather than wider. If you have bigger items, put them on the bottom so that their sticking out won't look so bad, if that's what you are worried about (I'd rather you worry about whether someone is going to trip over it or bump into it). Use trays to group things you use together. It's easy to take the tray down, work at the kitchen table, and put it back. Nice, easy, quick. You can use open files (no lids, as nice as they look, they will be a hassle in the long run) or use in/out boxes. How you fill it is unique and a no brainer, these are merely suggestions.
One thing I cannot stress enough: be willing to change and adapt as needed.
If keeping your pencils and pens separate seemed like a great idea and looked great but isn't working; change it. Change it until it works for you-if it doesn't work for you, it works against you.
Our kitchen is always a work in progress. When we moved (we've moved three times in less than a year's time), I requested the cupboard and shelf plans in advance and pre-placed everything. It looked good and it was reasonable. Until we used the cookie supplies, all these months later and we still did not have a clue how difficult it would be to get out and put away (for the kids). I thought of alternatives and found nothing better, which made me think another way. What would work better in the place of the cookie utensils? Nothing. Next, I asked myself, "Self, how often do you use these cookie things?"
"Use" turns out to be the key. We seldom use these items. Knowing that nothing fit in their place better than they did, and that we rarely use them, why not keep them where they are and have a bit of discomfort (for lack of a better word) once or twice a year?
Using the kitchen again, our spices are in a cupboard near the stove, where we cook (never over it). It stands to reason the sugars and flours would be there, as well. But I rarely use cinnamon, sugar, flour, sprinkles, etc. while I cook and the cupboard doesn't hold it all anyway. I tried moving it to the larger cupboard by the side of the sink. When anyone cooked, the spices would invariably be left near the stove, rather than being put away. I asked why and knew it was because as easy as it is, too many steps to do such a small thing was, well, too many, which led to too many more, now that we'd have to go back later, put them all away, and then some.
Who says all the spices have to be together? We grabbed all the spices we cook with and put them near the stove. The others, mainly used in baking (where you put everything together outside the oven, mix, or what-have-you), were stored in the larger one by the sink. We call that the baking cupboard. We've included pancake mix, flaxseed, baking mixes, etc., and it works. For us. Whatever works for you, is a blessing.
The point is, create your space the best you can. When it works, it works and do not mess with it. When it does not work, don't fight it and force yourself to make it work, change it until you get it right.
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| Use the space you do have and use it wisely. For my home businesses, I use the area behind the door, and the wall near the bathroom. For my writing, I use my table and the space below it holds my files. It's all neat, organized, and usable. |
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