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When you are working from home, sometimes it's harder to get all your work finished than when you are punching a clock. Do you constantly feel like you just don't have enough time to get everything done? Does your time allotted for sleeping get shorter and shorter because you just can't cram everything in and time has to come from somewhere? There are probably time saving tips and tricks you haven't even considered.
First, look at your morning routine. Are you always rushing to get everyone out the door so they won't be late? Make a list of everything that has to be done each morning, and see where you can trim time by planning. Just having bowls, spoons and cereal boxes set out on the counter and the milk jug moved to the front of the fridge before you go to bed can save precious minutes in the morning. Teach your family members to rinse their dishes and stick them in the dishwasher before flying out the door. Get the kids up fifteen minutes earlier so they can help pack their own lunches!
What do you do as soon as you have the house to yourself? If you find you tend to procrastinate, figure out a way to motivate yourself. We all need a little ‘me' time, but don't let it consume your entire morning. Take your coffee in a non-spill mug and read your book chapter, check your email and surf the net for a pre-determined number of minutes, then set your little indulgences aside until break time. This will give you something to look forward to!
Try to plan a schedule for your work; set deadlines for yourself and meet them, just like you would for a boss. Setting and achieving goals has the added benefit of building self esteem. If a friend calls to chat or tries to IM you, be polite but remind them it is working hours. Some people think individuals who work at home just sit around all day and the work magically does itself. These people need a reality check! Tell them you will call them back when you finish your work.
Invest in a hands-free headset for your cell or cordless phone. This way when you do call friends or family back, you can be mobile while you do it. Use the time you spend chatting preparing dinner or folding laundry instead of flopped on the couch. Likewise, multitask when you can - while you are having to stir a pan of something on the stove you can take the opportunity to tackle spills on the stovetop or wipe down cabinet doors with a damp cloth.
Cook ahead as well - plan for double portions and freeze half for the next week. If you invest in some single meal divided plastic containers, you can freeze portioned meals that can be easily heated up individually - perfect for nights when everyone's schedule is different and a family meal isn't an option.
Once you start to save yourself steps and stop procrastinating, your frenzied lifestyle can calm down and working at home can become the exciting, rewarding experience it was intended to be. Simply plan ahead and be strict with yourself, and you will be able to resume getting a full seven or eight hours of sleep instead of four! Now, wouldn't THAT be a treat?!