I work as a freelance copywriter and I earn money from writing this blog. So since I have had children, I haven’t known anything other than working from home. In my career before kids, I had a job that was client facing and there was no way I would be able to have worked from home (gym and personal trainer). So it took a little adjustment to get use to it and be the most productive that I could be.
Technology is so vast these days that it makes it so easy to work from home and use a virtual desktop. I love that I can work around the kids and their schedules. It can often mean working late into the evening. The biggest blessing is being able to be at home with them in the day, though, so it makes the late nights very worth it. I will be forever grateful for these home-based roles I am able to earn from.
It can be tricky getting the balance right, so here are some tips to help you make the most of your time, if you work from home.
Set Yourself a Schedule
As I can’t just work from when I wake up until the job is done, I have to set myself a to-do list and a schedule. I need to time in what I will do and when. It is literally to the minute! Even things like social media time is scheduled in. I know if I don’t do it, I will just dilly-dally and procrastinate.
Have a Designated Space
I would love to have a little blogging ‘nook’ as I see so many have, but until then, i have a little space in my daughters room with a desk that I use. In the day time, i can set her up with some toys while i quickly check emails. In an evening, though, I move my space to the dining room and work from the table there. Just sitting on a sofa doesn’t get me in the mindset of ‘work’.
Flag Emails & Schedule Posts
I know for me, I need to check emails as and when I get them. I can get a little overwhelmed sometimes so I have to flag them and then deal with them after I am finished with my current work. I am one of those people that can’t have several unfinished things on at once. I work methodically through my to-do list and is the easiest way for me to cope. Scheduling posts is a great help to me too.
Dell have created a great infographic for people that work from home or use tech a lot in their daily schedule.
Do you work from home sometimes? What do you find works best for you?
Linking up to KCACOLS.
*sponsored infographic
These are really very helpful tips. It is such a blessing to be able to work around the kids and their schedules. Some jobs don’t need you to be in the office to be productive.
#KCACOLS
Veronica Lee recently posted…Crane Stories
Really interesting post and tips #KCACOLS
Emma recently posted…Layering
Having a schedule to stick to is an absolute must for me. One of the reasons we’re moving is because we only have 1 room downstairs (apart from the kitchen) and no space in the bedrooms so I find it really hard to stay motivated. The new house has a small office and I’m so excited!xx
Hannah Budding Smiles recently posted…A Letter To My Unborn Daughter
That’s a really interesting post. Funny how our wok lives have changed since having children. I never thought I’d quit my day job, but with 4 children, I just couldn’t afford the childcare. Working around the children is ideal, even if that means working late (late late) at night most nights.
MEl recently posted…Eco-Tourism at its Very Best – A Case-Study: Eagle Brae (Beauly, Scotland)
Great tips there! i can get stuck in a rut sometimes and loose focus and motivation when trying to write!
Claire Witt recently posted…Making your House a Home | My Fire place
Working from home can be so challenging when it comes to staying productive and organized with your time. Thanks for these tips! #KCACOLS
These are really useful tips. I don’t have a job but my blog feels like one sometimes. I found having a to do list and writing a schedule is really beneficial and helps to keep me focused. The infographic is very interesting. I also would love a little blogging corner, I don’t even have a desk so I’m stuck on the sofa. It’s great you can fit your work around your family and still be at home.
Thank you so much for linking this up to #KCACOLS. Hope to see you again next Sunday x
I am so with you about scheduling – I honestly don’t think I’d get anything done unless I had a daily ‘to do’ list. Although I do tend to spend far too much time on social media, so maybe I should start to schedule that in too. #KCACOLS x
Mum in Brum recently posted…#MySundayPhoto
Great tips! I have many to-do lists but I need to sort myself a proper schedule! x
Emma @sophieellaandme recently posted…5 Tips For Instagram
I found having designated work times work well too. Great tips.
Kizzy recently posted…Time Out Reads – Celebrate
I’d love to be able to work from home one day, but definitely realise it doesn’t come without it’s challenges! Routine is quite important to me in general. Even being home with baby and blogging for fun, our days all look much the same.
Robyn recently posted…BEST BITS OF THE WEEKEND – 27 & 28 FEBRUARY
I would definitely be lost without my phone. I blog a lot during the day from there but it does leave me feeling guilty that I’ve been attached to my phone all day…. Not really the example I want to give my kids
Jodie recently posted…An MRI Scan On A 3 Year Old
I work from home too whilst looking after my little girl during the day but I DO work from my sofa during the evening. I used to have my iMac at the dining table too but I switched to a Macbook so I can sit with my boyfriend as the dining table is in another room.
Great tips from yourself and some interesting stats from Dell. I think I need to be stricter with my to-do list 🙂
X
Lucy Melissa Smith (Hello Beautiful Bear) recently posted…Review: Grobag (Starlit Woodland Design)
Great post, I think I need a schedule and to time certain things, I get lost in watching crap on facebook and nothing gets done! haha x
Everything Mummy recently posted…Ulster Weavers Breakfast In Bed Competition
I do a lot of blog work really late to fit around having two toddlers during day and evening chores. I need a schedule to get through everything & sort out priorities, but don’t really know how to do one when my days are unpredictable due to the kids! #KCACOLS
Great post and fab tips, I work in an office part time and the rest of the time I am trying to fit blog work in around the kids (usually in the evenings when they are in bed), I really need to set myself a schedule and stick to it! x
Steph Oakes recently posted…Mums want phone calls not flowers this mother’s day