Making Time Management a Priority for WAH

The hardest part of beginning to work at home, is finding that delicate balance where you can fight the urge to handle household chores that are right in front of you and actually focus on your job!  You don't have a boss looking over your shoulder, no co-workers walking into your office, and no customers to constantly interact with, so it is truly up to you to separate home and work.  Seeing the load of laundry or the sink of dirty dishes that can be tackled between your work tasks, and choosing to ignore them, takes restraint, but with dedication to a time schedule, you can do it!
   Let's not forget WHY you made the decision to work from home. More flexibility, more time with family, and more availability to do the things you deem important.  If you take the time to plan ahead, your family and household won't need to suffer while you get a grasp on your new work from home arrangment.
   Start by dedicating an area and times where & when you can concentrate on your work.  This area you set up as your office should be quiet, have available work space to spread out, and have access to the things that you need for the job (phone, computer, fax etc). If you have young munchkins then early mornings before they wake up, or late nights after you get them to bed may work best for you. If you can work split hours, then you may want to schedule your work during naptimes. Timing is also important because that goes hand in hand with your ability to create a professional, quiet work environment. Crying or noisy children, barking dogs, sqwaking birds and other loud background noises are unacceptable to most employers, so consider this when choosing the type of employment that you wish to pursue. IF your house is a circus most days, then you will probably want to lean towards employment that does not involve a phone.
   Next, set a schedule and stick to it! If you are scheduled to work from 10-2 pm, then the time alloted should be dedicated your work and nothing else!  Don't try to fit chores into that time slot. Have kids in school?  Try scheduling you work during the pre-school or grade school hours.
Remember, although your employer is offering flexibility, there is a condition.  In exchange for virtual employment arrangements, they expect you to give 100% to your work during the time scheduled.  Meet your end of the bargain to ensure that your employer benefits as much from having you work at home, as you benefit from being allowed to work from home!