How to create balance when you work at home

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 Those who   desire to work at home, often want to do so  because they want flexible hours,   to spend  more time with  family and also be their own boss.

However, it's difficult knowing when to stop working when you're just starting out. In an office environment, your time was planned. You had a time you resumed at work, your lunch hour, etc.

Working at home is very different from working outside the home and you may form the habit  of working from dawn to dusk without meaning to. When this happens,all the important reasons for working at home like,"having flexible hours" and "spending more time with your family" becomes a myth.

I'd like to share a few tips to creating a balance between your work at home and family life.


* Have a designated work space - If you have not done this already, you need to do so as soon as you can. Create a place where you can work. If you do not have a lot of space, it could be a little space on your kitchen table. This will be a place where your family recognises as your work space.


* Create business hours- It's important to have a schedule. You need business hours, times when you are really working or involved in work related activities like answering emails, contacting clients, etc. Your work time could be two hours a day or six hours a day, but only at those times should you be working.

*Set daily tasks and targets- Each day have daily tasks and targets that you have to accomplish. Spend your work hours actually working and not doing other things like connecting with friends on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

*Break time- You need to have break time or lunch hour. If you have young children let them know that Mom is working and will play  at her break time. It's also at this time that you may want to chat on your social media sites.


*Business Phone- You need to have a phone number  for your business. It can be very distracting  when a client calls at your family's dinner time and wants to discuss business matters. However, if you have a business line, they can leave a message.


*Exercise- Make time to exercise daily.

 *After business hours- Every business should have closing hours and so should you. This is the time you shut down your computer and do something besides work. Avoid the temptation to bring work home.

 *Be flexible- Be ready to tweak and adjust your schedule as your circumstances demand. Moderation is key.

 How do you create balance? Please share.....