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10. Establish Hours of
Operation
Whether you
work from home or a remote location it is important to try to
stick to a schedule that maximizes time spent with your family and
friends. Personally, most of our work for VPMom is done in our
home offices-late at night!! Working from home is difficult for
some women business owners because there are always “a million”
other things to be done around the house and with the kids. On
the flip side, when your work is too easily accessible (home
office), you may spend too much time in your office or in front of
the computer, etc. We tend to fall in the latter category of work
habits. Thus, may we suggest establishing “hours of operation”
and work only during the times you have decided work best for your
household. This will help maintain a good balance between career
and family. Try your best to stick to them once they are set!
M
9. Adult Contact
Deprivation
Working from
home can feel a bit isolating. In fact, it can feel VERY
isolating! In order to help maintain your sanity it is important
to get some contact with the outside world. No….we are not
talking about meeting with a client for lunch to discuss a
contract! We are talking about some quality time with your best
girlfriend painting pottery or meeting an old college roommate for
dinner. Take time out to have some FUN! Try joining a BUNCO or
Mom’s Night Out Group that get together on a monthly basis.
M
8. Enlist a Babysitter
Working from
home is what most women dream of. Then, it happens and you wonder
why you ever thought it was the answer to all of your problems.
You are more stressed now than ever! Just when you answer the
business phone…your two year old has dumped all of the soil out of
your favorite houseplant, painted his/her nails, and has a dirty
diaper that stinks worse than anything you’ve ever smelled. I’m
sure we’ve all got our stories to tell. This is not to say that
you encounter these types of dilemmas everyday. However, if you
work from home or take your child(ren) to the office with you, you
will have a lot of distractions. Guilt will sink in when you
believe you are neglecting the kids- or the business for that
matter! Why not hire a babysitter occasionally to care for your
little one(s) while you work. It will be well worth the money!
You’ll be much more productive with fewer interruptions.
M
7. Consider Office
Ergonomics
When you set
up your office try to remember you will be spending countless
hours there. It is crucial that you consider furniture and
equipment that is comfortable and conducive to good health. In
our experience, the two most important areas are good lighting and
a comfortable office chair. Invest a few bucks in these areas and
save a lot in optometrist and chiropractic bills!
M
6. Diet
Try to
maintain a healthy diet while starting and running your business.
This can be difficult with a home office or remote location.
We’ve found the difficulty at home stems from snacking too much
vs. eating a healthy meal. The pantry full of chips, cookies, and
candy is far too accessible! If you must snack, try getting a
bowl of fruit to set in your office to remind you to eat an apple
or banana instead of that other JUNK. Perhaps a bag of rice
cakes, some popcorn or pretzels stored in a desk drawer might
help, too. Healthy snacking is fine, but please set aside 20-30
minutes to eat a well-balanced lunch with your kids. If you work
outside of the home fast food restaurants are the problem! There
is one on every corner. Avoid the temptation by packing a healthy
lunch from home, but leave your desk to eat it. Go to a nearby
park and enjoy your lunch, the scenery, and the peace and quiet! M
5. Exercise
We don’t
care how you do it. Like Nike says, “Just do it!” Exercise is
vital to your health. One of us…we won’t mention who…began
noticing the “spreading” of her rear-end after countless hours of
sitting at the computer. Take time to go to the gym, pop in an
exercise video, or at least take a walk/ride bikes in the evening
with your family. If you feel like you should be working on the
business, find ways to be productive while exercising. Many gyms
now have internet access on treadmills and stationary bikes. Do
some research or e-mail clients while you burn calories. Join an
aerobics class and spread the word about your business to others
taking the class. Ride a stationary bike in your office while
reading a trade magazine or the newspaper. Again, “Just do it!”
Your health and well-being depends on it.
M
4. Connect Your Mind and
Body
Some women do
yoga, meditation, and/or Tai Chi to allow them to feel a sense of
peace and connectedness between mind and body. Some of the
benefits to these exercises include:
stress
reduction, better focus and concentration, increased flexibility,
improved strength, enhanced immune system, better balance,
improved memory, improved circulation, and increased
coordination. If you haven’t tried at least one of these
programs, take a chance. It’s worth a try for the stress
reduction alone! M
3. Checking Up
Visit your Dr.
annually for regular check-ups! Although mammograms and
pap-smears are nothing like the fun you have at Disneyland, they
are part of life’s “necessary evils”. The sooner you catch health
issues, the better chance you have at overcoming them. In
addition, it is important to listen to your body. Business owners
are often “too busy” to get to the doctor. Be sure to see your Dr.
when you feel that something may be wrong. Don’t “blow it off”.
You only have one body and you need to take care of it!
M
2. Spousal Maintenance
Okay, we
know entrepreneurs love money, but we are not referring to
alimony! We are talking about trying to maintain a “good”
relationship with your hubby. Spouses often feel very neglected
when they are not our main focus. Unfortunately, starting and
running a business requires attention to be placed on things other
than our husband and children. To keep him happy you should plan
a date night at least once a month. Go to dinner ALONE! Other
ideas include a theatre production, concert, bowling, or
goofy-golf. In addition to “date night”, make an effort to go to
bed at the same time at least a few nights per week. This is
something we didn’t always do and our relationships suffered
because of it. Finally, for those who work at home, be sure to
put on some nice clothes, make-up, and style your hair before he
gets home. It’s very easy to stay in your PJs all day when you
don’t have to meet clients/customers face to face.
M
1. Don’t Get Down and Dirty
We really
got your attention now, didn’t we? Okay, so it’s not what it
sounds like. It’s simple…hire a housekeeper! This is another
bill that is well worth the rewards. We’re not saying you need a
maid every day or even every other day for that matter. How about
2 times per month to do that real “down and dirty” stuff (i.e.
baths/showers, windows, mopping, toilets, baseboards, dusting,
etc.) Take time to do something with the kids while the house is
being taken care of! Not only does it give you a chance to commit
to time with your kids, but it gets you out of doing housework,
too. That’s a win-win situation if you ask us. Try it; you’ll
like it! M
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here to share your tips and experiences. Humor is
always welcome!!
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