Balancing Home and Business

[Cricket]

When you own your own business, one of the most difficult challenges is often simply trying to find a balance between home and business. This can be especially true if your business is run out of your home.

What are you doing to keep everything in balance?

[ScriptMan]

I define goals for the day, week or time period for both and mix them up to vary my routine. It is easy to allow either to use all the available time. The secret is to keep a balance.

[BobB49]

Well- I wish I worked from home but what Scriptman said is right. Set goals for what you want to accomplish for the day, week, etc. - however, equally important is time for YOU. When you work in an office you get lunch, and breaks. Make time to put the project down - get something to eat- step away from the "work" and take a breath. You can start fresh again after you've allowed yourself some "you" time. I think you'll find that in the long run you'll finish that project ahead of schedule - and have even MORE YOU time. *smiles*.... just a thought.

[angilina]

This is the very main reason why I chose to work at home. Nowadays, we can earn living at home via many different ways like: freelancing, website business, Affiliate work etc.

Actually, copywriting work can alone help us to make decent living at home.

This way, I can give more time to my family.

[jannahloves]

It really needs time management.Moreover,working from home gives you the advantage of having your schedule.You will be the one to decide when to work.

[marine841]

I may be busy with my work but I never compromise my rest. other than that the work take as much time as it demands.

[benniegriffey]

The best thing to manage home and business is to manage your time ... And do everything according to the time looking at everything and balancing yourself...

[hitamlegam]

I always work at home and i have not have a family either so it is not difficult for me to make it balance. because it does not take much to build a relationship for my parents. beside that i have a time schedule for my business

[jannahloves]

I'm enjoying working from home.It gives me earnings and more time to my family.

[netchix007]

Working from home is a new concept for me. I'm seriously struggling to find that balance. I'm trying to carve out specific times of the day for both me and my family. I've been able to squeeze in the family stuff but the "ME" part is feeling seriously neglected.

[desilo]

You are so right! It's hard to manage home and business. I used to think it would be easy but not anymore. Here's what I do:

I start work early, so that I have afternoons and evenings free to spend with family and catch up on house work. Sometimes I work late at night when everyone is asleep. I also find that writing down a weekly work schedule helps me to stay on target and focused. If I follow it right - I also get weekends free to just relax with the family.

[netchix007]

Originally Posted by desilo

You are so right! It's hard to manage home and business. I used to think it would be easy but not anymore. Here's what I do:

I start work early, so that I have afternoons and evenings free to spend with family and catch up on house work. Sometimes I work late at night when everyone is asleep. I also find that writing down a weekly work schedule helps me to stay on target and focused. If I follow it right - I also get weekends free to just relax with the family.

I like the "work schedule" thing. that may be the missing component for me...
thanks for the advice!

[MayaLocke]

Wow fantastic question! I think its very hard to strike a balance. I think I work more than others, but have flexibility that the confines of a "normal job" don't allow. The trade off is worth it, but I wish I was as disciplined about finding a balance as I am at working ;-) A few years ago I seemed to have found a good balance for the summer I took every friday off and had 3 day weekends.

[netchix007]

one morning I grabbed my 9 year old son, hugged him tightly, and held on for at least 5 minutes. then we started to dance together. he's like "uhhm, why are you hugging me like this and why in the world are we dancing?" I told him it was because I was missing him. he didn't understand that. his reply was "but you see me everyday". I proceeded to explain how i see him but feel like i don't spend enough quality time with him because i've been working so much. his solution for me was "well, why don't you just work 5 days and then take the other days off. then you'll have more time for us". I smiled, embraced him again, and said "that's a good idea. i might just do that".

the issue of discipline comes in when you are supposed to be taking the day off but then you begin to think of things that MUST get done...eventhough it is debatable as to WHEN those things MUST get done. Somehow, I always rationalize why they MUST get done NOW and end up giving into my urge to crack open the laptop and start working. I'm so ashamed :O

[Tunu52]

The best thing to manage home and business is to keep both of them separate i.e.; don’t make them same. And manage time schedule for them.

[Anca]

Just respect my scheduler and I separate business from home. When I am at work I'm focused on what I'm working and when I am at home I do....home related stuff

[dan1988]

Keeping the balance between work and home is hard to do. What I would try to do is set a schedule for when to do certain things.

[Shane Watson]

Home is like haven. I wouldn’t dare mess with it. And my business is like fuel for my home. So, to keep peace at home, I turn my cell off. But now life is a little hard to maintain. I hope it will be over soon. If sometimes it gets a little too busy, I take a big break after that.

[dhasai]

Its true there are many problems create while working at home.
But it can be solve if you done well time management.
First decide your whole day work and then adjust the time.

[entrabnetworks]

I make a time table and follow it and gave time to both