Healthy Work at Home Tips For Homeschooling Families

I know you have all had days or weeks when it feels like there’s just too much. Too much to do, too much to organize, too much to clean, too much to think about, too much to handle. The breaking point often comes at a moment fueled by lack of sleep and/or hormonal imbalance. For some it’s tears. For other, irrational yelling. Some stomp out and go running, and others retreat to a hot bath and bed. As women, mothers, business women…we have all been there. (For men reading this post…I know you have your overwhelmed experiences as well..this post is about women…so read it for the one you love).

Usually, once you reach that breaking point, you can wake up the next morning and start to get a handle on things. Sometimes it takes more than the emotional bottom to turn things around. Sometimes the tears or the anger are the signal that we need to make a change–that in fact it all is too much and something has to give. As women, our intelligent bodies give us information that will help us maintain balance but often we are too busy or bull-headed to listen. As women, it’s important in business to do it in a way that is synchronistic with our beings. That means that we may not do it as the men do.

Today I cried on the phone when talking with my very old school masculine mentor. I didnt’ mean to cry. I hadn’t planned on crying. But the old guy came out of the blue and complimented my commitment, dedication and leadership abilities on the same day that I was questioning whether I had what it takes to succeed in this business. Here he was telling me that I was unique in this business and that the level of success that I’ve achieved so far is just the beginning. An hour before, after a night of no sleep and 52 hot flashes and a snuggle from my daughter who was concerned that mommy woke up crying–I was wondering if it was all worth it.

Just when you think it’s all too hard… the simplest comment from the most unexpected source, can set you back on your track.

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PS. Do your self a favor. Take the time to learn how to do business from a position of strength, even if you’re dealing with aggressive people. Watch this free video and you’ll begin to understand the power that comes from inside of all of us. How you communicate it, relates directly to your own sense of self in relation to doing business.

I’m continually struck by the number of men who rocket to success in companies where the majority of people are women. What is that about? From my perspective it’s about many things. The one that comes to mind first is that in most families, men have to ability and the option to be mono-focused on business. In my family, even though I’m obsessively focused on my business at the moment, because I’m loving the process and the results so much, I still have to be a wife and a mom. Even though I wake up in the morning just itching to get to work, I still have to feed, dress, pack, sunscreen, toilet, etc…my child. And that’s if I’m getting her ready to be gone for the day. If it’s an at home day, then I do all that in addition to puzzles, painting, fairy games, dress-up and starting next week, our home school curriculum.

I’ve spoken to many of the men in my company. They tell me to create “massive action”. They talk about how they get in their car and visit prospects all over the state and country, sometimes driving thousands of miles in one week. They talk about doing 15 meetings per week. Yes, they take time off to be with their families. In fact, this industry allows them the opportunity to travel and vacation and still maintain their momentum and income. It’s a beautiful thing. But still…when they go to work they say, “Honey, I’m off to Arizona for 3 days and then on to California. I’ll be back in a week. We’ll talk tonight” and then they’re gone.

This past weekend I attended a national training event and was gone for 4 days. Prior to leaving I needed to arrange for childcare during the weekdays, make lists regarding lunches, sunscreen, phone numbers, etc…I had to pay some bills, arrange for the milk delivery, sort out the laundry and I have a really, really helpful and involved husband. My point it that as working women with families, we do not have the flexibility to just pick up and go. If my husband’s job required him to be elsewhere on those days, I would have needed to stay home. This is not a complaint. It is a fact which I believe is true in most families.

That is why I was so impressed by what occurred at the training I attended. My company included a training session presented by women and focusing on the differences, the struggles and the benefits of how women approach this business. In addition they will now be having a “By Women, For Women” weekly training call. I’m thrilled. Beyond the soundness of the business and product, I knew from an emotional and spiritual perspective that this way the right company for my. That knowledge has now been even more solidified.

The path to being a women on top, may be different. But it is equally valid and ultimately more satisfying to do it in our own unique manner rather than doing it like the men. Work at home moms are very powerful women. Click here to read a blog post specifically about this topic.

We’re in that period of time that I’ve always loved. Christmas is over. The New Year is not here yet. It feels like a time that somewhat separate from real time. We all know that once New Year’s day is over it’s time to get back to business…whatever that means for you. But right now we still have the luxury of waiting, planning, even relaxing a bit.

When your year is spent more in a “school year” calendar than a regular calendar, this time of year is often a big exhale from the first burst of “school”. This is true whether you homeschool or not.  Twenty years ago when I was a teacher I recollect the ebb and flow of the energy of the school year being intimately connected to the holidays. From September until Christmas there were many holidays, culminating in the Christmas/New Years break. It was clear to all that coming back from break in January, it was clearly time to get down to business.

So here we are, December 28th…four more days before it’s time to get serious.  Four more days to prepare your mind, your curriculum, your bookkeeping…and of course your resolutions for a year of regular exercise and good health.  Writing things down tends to make them more real. When I work with clients we often write down goal, plans, promises and affirmations.  If there are things you’ve been thinking about incorporating into your day or your life…ideas for the kids, marketing for your business, a new workout routine for your body…write down. Here’s how:

Write it down as if it were true. Stay away from “I’ll try…” or “hopefully I’ll…” Make statements that are specific. “On Tuesday mornings from 10-11 my friend Mary will do an art lesson with the kids while I go to Pilates.”  Or, “I will learn how to advertise on the computer using Google Adwords and will have my first ad up and running by January 15th.” When you set concrete goals like this your brain is better able to wrap around them and take action. When you say, “I’m going to exercise more this year”, there is really no boundaries to work withing and you end up doing nothing.

So take out a nice new pad, or piece of paper or open a new file on your computer and write. Happy New Year to you and yours!!

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I found this article last week, written by Greg Six. He makes some good points that can help all of us who work at home. (All the links in this article belong to Greg).

When the home has to be both a home and a business, conflict can occur. In order to operate a successful home-based business, there must be a separation between the home and the home-based business. Conflict is likely to occur when there is a breach in the home/home-based business barrier. In order for the business to operate smoothly and the family to live comfortably in their home, communication must be established between the family and the business owners. A family and business require individual attention when it comes to designating space for each. If this does not occur, then four areas of family functioning are likely to be affected.

The needs of the family should take priority over the needs of the home-based business. Before a home-based business can be launched, space needs to be set aside for operational purposes. The household should answer the following questions first: How much space will the home-based business require within the home? What does the family absolutely need from the space in the home? Will the space that will be set aside for the business cause the family extreme discomfort? Is there a way for you to create a space management plan for the household space that can accommodate both your family and your home-based business? Family cohesion shouldn’t be severely impacted by a home-based business.

When a business intrudes on the household space, it also intrudes on the time schedules of everyone within it. Operating a home-based business is particularly difficult for families who have full schedules that are fixed and interlocked. In an instance such as this, the business’s needs would take a back seat to the schedules of those who are running it. Personal and family time schedules tend to be disrupted by home-based businesses if the business is given first preference, and the business tends to suffer if the situation is reversed.

Perhaps the biggest conflict occurs when the family feels as if their space has been violated as a result of having a home-based business. Consider all of the needs of the business. Does the business need extensive storage space or an area for customers to pick up merchandise? If customers and workers are constantly parading through your family room while your family is trying to relax then they will likely feel as their space is being violated. Designate particular areas of the home that business can be done in. Office space can be used for meetings, paper work, and other such activities. If a pick up area is necessary, then the most public areas of the home should be used.

Separation of space between the home and the business is not only beneficial to the family and business, but it is necessary for tax purposes if you plan on taking off deductions for business expenses. You must decide if a part of the house has too many uses to be used for both family and business matters.

While there are millions of different types of home-based businesses, almost every one of them can be grouped into a category: production/service; consulting or counseling; sales or marketing and mail order. Every business has different needs. Think about what category your home-based business falls into and consider the amount of space will be needed. Storage space, space for office equipment, production space, an area to meet with clients, and an area for pick up and delivery should be factored into the division of space.

The area in which you operate your business also plays a role in the success of your business. Make sure that there are no county codes that prevent you from operating a business in your neighborhood. If your business generates a lot of traffic, then consider how your neighbors might take to this. A neighborhood with a lot of children who play in or near the streets or even in a culda-sac are likely to become concerned with safety if your business generates a lot of traffic. The hours that you operate your business may also conflict with the comfort of neighbors. Operating a business extremely early or very late may cause tension. Your business hours aren’t the only ones to consider; pick up and delivery can also be disruptive. Shipping and deliveries could be made to post office and you can pick them up from there in order to minimize neighborhood traffic.

Greg Six has been a successful entrepreneur for over 15 years. After having owned motels and rental properties, he found success using internet marketing. He now spends his time assisting others as they search through the maze of internet offers to find the piece of the puzzle that is legitimate, and will ultimately allow an individual to create longstanding, stable wealth, without sacrificing integrity and honesty. Email Greg directly to request a F*R*E*E 30 minute coaching call to discuss your business goals and objectives… Just Ask. http://www.LegitimateBusinessFromHome.net/?conflict

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Six

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After three posts covering different types of organization you should now be totally organized and feeling sane. Too bad the holidays are just around the corner, creating more craziness.

In truth it takes time to get organized. Make a plan and move forward as you can. Try an accomplish one small task per day, or even 2-3 per week. Even if a task is a simple as creating a receipt folder or setting up the family calendar. For more help setting up your home business whether new or one that you’ve been working on for awhile, there is a free newsletter that offers some tips. The newsletter is geared towards people in the network marketing industry, but many if not most of the information will be helpful to anyone working at home. Since it’s free there is no harm in gathering the information offered and using what you find helpful to your situation. Click here to link to the subscription page, where you will find details about the newsletter and the topics for each issue.

This is the third part of our organizations series. Once you’ve tackled your space and your time and your “to-d0″ list it’s time to straighten out your bookkeeping. Many people with home businesses get overwhelmed when it comes to taking care of their business finances and their home finances. It really is important to get a handle on this. One of the main reasons is taxes. I’m not an accountant or even professional bookkeeper, so keep that in mind as you read on. What I do know from having multiple home businesses and having filed taxes for the last 15 years as a sole proprietor is, you need a system.

The reason you need is system is that many of your business expenses are tax deductible, but only if you can prove them. In addition, you need to keep track of your income and your outgo in order to determine what taxes you need to pay. (Here is where you go and talk to your accountant). What I’m going to help you with is creating the system.

First keep all receipts, write down all appointments and milage, list any expenses. Even if you do all this in simple notebook with a calendar and a big envelope for receipts, you’re doing well. Keep your home finances separate. If you work out of your home and plan on deducting part of those expenses, speak to your accountant about how to keep it all clear. There are many computer programs that will organize it all for you. If you have one of those, great. If not, the old fashioned way works fine as well, as long as you do it.

I find it useful and the IRS likes to see, separate checkbooks for business and home. If you have a number of businesses, have a checkbook for each. Even if you don’t make sense of everything until tax time, just having money go in and out of the correct location streamlines the process substantially.

One of the beautiful things about home based business, particularly selling-type businesses, is the deductions. Again, talk to your accountant for the details but the IRS is aware that it takes a few years for a new business to turn a profit. As long as you can show that you are working in the business to make a profit, not just as a hobby you can deduct those expenses for a number of years even if your business has a loss. This type of thing can often offset other income coming into your household and lower your overall taxes.

Subscribe to Healthy Freedom Secrets, a FREE newsletter to learn more about organizing your home based business.