It is 9:00 in the morning. After pouring a cup of coffee and walking into your home office, the computer is turned on. You check Emails, look at the schedule, analyze the workload and plan the day's routine. Unexpectedly, your spouse walks into the room and says that they cannot pick the kids up from school today and asks "Could you do it?" You look at the schedule, change it and say "OK". About that time, the phone rings. Your best friend's car has broken down. He asks "Can you come and help"? Again, you look at the daily tasks on the list, make a change and say "Sure."
About 11:00, you get back to work. You look down and see a sticky note on the desk. Your mother needs to be picked up from the airport at 1:00 in the afternoon. The brother who had the responsibility cannot leave work. Can you do it? Suddenly the blood pressure begins to rise and you scream "How am I suppose to get my work done?" You finally calm down and realize this is just another challenging day for the work at home entrepreneur. But the question still lingers, "Does anybody realize that I am WORKING at home"?
Does this sound familiar? This scenario is something I have experienced many times while developing a home based business. I am sure that you have been sent on a variety of errands by well meaning friends and family who do not understand the discipline and commitment it takes to work from home. Is there hope for us? Can we balance our personal lives with business commitments while working at home every day? Take heart because there is hope!
The first step to finding the balance is developing a mindset that expects interruptions. The sooner you realize they are coming, the better it will be. You will have days like the one mentioned above. It is unavoidable. My home business office is at the back of the house down a long hallway. I generally know that an interruption is coming because of the footsteps. Grandchildren knock on the door to share their day at school or the wife comes for a visit to see if all is going well. I have a few seconds to prepare for these intrusions. If I have developed a perspective that expects these interruptions, they are easier to handle. There are stressful moments but they are manageable.
I have been working from home for about four years but the first twelve months were the most difficult. Everyone was excited that I was at home. People were calling, visiting or knocking on my home office door and saying hello. Needless to say, my blood pressure was like a roller coaster going up and down every day. It was during this adjustment period that I developed a better perspective about interruptions. Be aware that this transition is the most difficult time. Eventually, everyone realizes that you are at working at home (except for the grandchildren). Focus on developing patience and you can avoid high blood pressure.
Communication is the second step for finding a balance between business and personal duties. The last thing you want is to alienate family, relatives and friends. They are unaware of the time, effort and commitment that are needed for a home business. Most people interpret working from home as creating an unconfined schedule (time for a TV break?), having no supervisor (time for a day off?) and containing unbounded free time (time for golf?). When they think of home, it is generally about rest and relaxation. This is their mindset and you need to educate them about the level of commitment that is needed.
Start with your family. Explain to them that your home business requires a commitment of time each day. Tell them that it is a job but that you understand interruptions will happen. Your goal is to try and set guidelines that everyone can function within. Help them to understand the difference between emergencies and non-emergencies and what role you can play in these situations. Make it clear that you are always available but some situations can be addressed at different times.
Move on to relatives and friends. Help them understand about the effort that is required and the commitment that is needed to the home business. Also, communicate your awareness concerning the availability for helping them. Choose an approach that emphasis your responsibility to them. Always remember that you are trying to strike a balance between the relationship with them and the obligation to the home business using a considerate and patient mindset.
Distractions are a part of life. They are unavoidable. For the home business owner, they can drive you crazy. Create a mindset that allows for these distractions while communicating with family, relatives and friends about the level of your commitment to them and the business. These ideas may prevent your blood pressure from rising when someone knocks on the door.
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Any reviews on Training anad generalization of ...
By: Lady Day- Mack | 19-07-2008
Any reviews on Training anad generalization of affective behavior displayed by youth with autism
Gena, A., Krantz
Oprah Winfrey Biography book/article
By: Cannucks | 16-05-2008
Looking for the best Biography book/article on Oprah Winfrey
Can a breast support garment help in the ...
By: mckinnis | 22-04-2008
can a breast support garment help in the prevention of cysts, tumors or breast cancer?
Correcting From Wikipedia to Google Earth
By: andywass | 31-03-2008
How do I get a Wikipedia article which I have corrected on their main site revised on Google Earth . Its 2 weeks since I corrected it but Google Earth is still showing the incorrect version.
I have not heard anything on the condition of the ...
By: ALM | 05-03-2008
I have not heard anything on the condition of the young child. I keep he and his family in my thoughts and prayers. This article says nothing about his condition except that he was listed in critical/stable condition, yet the headline says "KILLERS" of 6-yr old boy. Is he still critical/stable, or did he pass? Please let me know at trinityresources@yahoo.com.
Is it the complete article?
By: curioso | 02-03-2008
There is not missing something below in this article? I could think this is only the first page of a larger article. is it?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Business Articles
15 Ways to Improve Your Closing Ratios and Sales Presentations
By: Katrina Sawa | 26/07/2008
It is not enough to do launching effective marketing campaigns to obtain new customers and to continually market to your existing database for more referrals and repeat business. In addition, you must be able to ask for and close the sale. Otherwise, it is a waste of time and money!
In Searching for Cost Reducitons, Look at Total Cash Flow Costs Rather Than Accounting Costs
By: Donald Mitchell | 26/07/2008
If you are a privately held company, look to reduce overall cash costs when considering alternative cost reductions, rather than the impact of reported earnings.
The More Trust, the More Time to Succeed
By: Andrew Cox | 26/07/2008
Bill Oncken, in his book Managing Management Time, says that the more trust you have with your "universe " of people, the more time you have to do the things that lead to success. Trust is hard to earn. Once lost it's hard to regain. It's the most precious asset in any relationship - at any level - at any time. Read on to see how a successful Division President builds trust.
10 Tips on the Issues With Selling Professionals
By: Drew Stevens | 26/07/2008
The world of professional selling is rich with information related to selling skills, sales training and techniques to assist professionals. However, after much rhetoric and information I am finding something completely different...a problem with selling professionals.
India - the Next Economic Powerhouse
By: Paul Hata | 25/07/2008
India is one of the fastest-growing countries in Asia. In 2006, India recorded a 1.2% of world trade share overall. The stat was picked out from WTO. The growth is mainly due to the liberalization that took place in India way back in 1991. Ever since then, there's no looking back.
Customer Service Toolkit
By: Drew Stevens | 25/07/2008
All businesses make money, yet those that are customer focused are more profitable.
Top 10 Brain Training Future Trends: New Mind/body Focus, Brain Trainers, and More
By: Alvaro Fernandez | 25/07/2008
In an emerging, dynamic, high growth market, like brain training, it is difficult to make precise projections. But, we can observe a number of trends that executives, consumers, public policy makers, and the media should watch closely in the coming years, as brain fitness and training becomes mainstream, new brain trainers appear, and an ecosystem grows around it. Here you have the Top Ten trends I predict.
Commercial Loans and Working Capital Financing Special Reports
By: Steve Bush | 25/07/2008
A prudent approach to working capital management is becoming more difficult for most commercial borrowers. Commercial loans have always been more complicated than realized by most business owners. Recent financing difficulties involving commercial mortgages, SBA loans and business cash advances have added significantly to the complexity of the entire commercial...
More from John Fortner
Is Your Home Business Making You Dizzy?
By: John Fortner | 14/05/2008 | Business
Have you ever heard the expression: "I feel like a chicken with his head cut off!"? Without going into the gory details of how they prepare a live chicken for Sunday dinner, the image is of someone running around aimlessly without any direction. This description reveals what I feel like...
The Importance Of Accounting For Your Home Business
By: John Fortner | 09/02/2008 | Business
Creating a home based business requires a variety of objectives. A product, a marketing plan and a business design are just the beginning. The concept of accounting needs to be factored into your formula for finding internet success. The foundation for making money online requires a firm grasp of where...
The Importance Of Ethics In Your Home Business
By: John Fortner | 03/02/2008 | Business
When we hear the word ethics, what is the first thought that pops into our minds? Honesty? Integrity? Fairness? Truthfulness? Webster says that ethics is "a system or set of moral principles; the rules of conduct governing a particular class of human actions; values relating to human conduct with respect...
Awareness Can Lead To The Success Of Your Home Business
By: John Fortner | 29/01/2008 | Business
We would like to think that our home businesses belong to us and that we have total control over our enterprises. For the most part, this is an accurate statement. The reality is that our work from home ventures are directed by the rules and regulations that are designed by...
Could Leveraging And Your Home Business Work Together?
By: John Fortner | 27/01/2008 | Management
Starting a home business is a challenge that requires facing some risks. There are no guarantees when you begin developing your work from home venture. The goal is to try and reduce your vulnerabilities while increasing the potential for success.
Your home based business is an investment in your future. Any...
Manufacturing Your Home Business Product
By: John Fortner | 17/01/2008 | Business
Have you designed a product for your home business that is in great demand? Have you considered taking your work from home venture to another level? Have you envisioned the possibility of developing a manufacturing process for your creation? Starting a manufacturing business may seem overwhelming. Anyone who has ever...
The Economy And Its Relation To Home Businesses
By: John Fortner | 17/01/2008 | Business
The economic changes in our country can deliver a significant impact on home based businesses. The terms economy, recession, prime interest rate, stock market and many others are concepts that we hear every day. It is important to understand what economy means and how it influences our enterprises. Increasing our...
Health Insurance For The Home Business Owner
By: John Fortner | 14/01/2008 | Management
When you make the decision to start a home based business, expansion is the last thing on your mind. As you begin to create your online venture, you will be focused on laying the foundation for your enterprise. Your most important commitment will be to researching, learning and implementing new...
Business 
