| How does one find the secret to work life balance? | | | | network you have by going to work everyday will no |
| One way could be moving your office or your skills to | | | | longer exist. How will you fill this void? You may want |
| to a home office. By moving your career in house you | | | | to join a book club, volunteer or make a point to have |
| eliminate immediate stress, the stress of commuting, | | | | lunch a few days a week with other people that work |
| work employee stress, and more. Deciding to work | | | | from home. |
| from home is a very personal decision and everyone's | | | | - When we make any plan, whether its the household |
| reasons are different. Did you know there are 5.7 | | | | budget or a plan for work life balance, we need |
| million people who work at home according to the | | | | discipline. Many people find it a challenge to get |
| 2007 American Community Survey. I can only imagine | | | | motivated when working at home. Maybe the laundry |
| that the number since then has only increased. | | | | isn't done, the lawn is not mowed, the floors aren't |
| Balancing work and family for working mothers, | | | | washed etc., but working at home needs to be treated |
| caregivers and seniors is always a chore. Most people | | | | like any other job. Show up on time and dress the part. |
| have to work to live. There are more and more | | | | - Family and friends need to know that just because |
| companies such as Jet Blue, Get a Freelancer, 800 | | | | you work from home does not mean they can come |
| Flowers,companies,Odesk and so many others that | | | | over during the hours you are scheduled to work to |
| are providing outsource jobs for telecommuting, | | | | have a 2 hour social visit. They need to know you are |
| freelance work, customer service work, medical | | | | serious about your work at home career and that this |
| transcription and more. Online Schools and Colleges | | | | is part of your livelihood. |
| can also provide work from home positions as | | | | - Help lower work stress by having your own work |
| teachers, tutors and more. There are many | | | | space to go during work time. Have the home office |
| businesses that allow us to create our own flexible | | | | comfortable, decorated and inspiring. A place you like |
| working conditions. We just need to have a work life | | | | to be everyday. |
| plan or goal in order to make it work and be | | | | - The third most important thing to remember is |
| successful. | | | | KNOW WHEN TO QUIT YOUR DAY! This is very |
| - Create a plan at least 5 years. A 10 year plan would | | | | important in balancing work and life. Some people have |
| be better updating it often. What do you want to | | | | a hard time knowing when to stop working. When the |
| achieve and how are you going to get there? For | | | | office is in your home you may feel compelled to just |
| example you would like to start a family, but you don't | | | | finish a project or just finish writing that article. |
| want to put your baby in daycare. In this situation a | | | | Whatever the reason set a work schedule and stick |
| customer service job for a call center may not work, | | | | to it. |
| but maybe a data entry, freelance writer, blogger, | | | | - The second most important thing to remember in |
| bookkeeper, web designer, or a job as a programmer | | | | balancing work and family always take a few minutes |
| may be better. These positions are not 9 to 5 positions | | | | everyday for yourself. Whether it is exercising, a hot |
| and are more flexible. | | | | bath or a power nap take a few minutes a day to |
| - The more you plan the less work life stress you will | | | | clear your head. |
| have. What professional skills do you have? How can | | | | - This to me is the most important thing to consider in |
| you use them in a work at home career? | | | | any part of balancing work and family or to balance |
| - Do you want to work as an employee? Or do you | | | | work and life whether you work at home or in high |
| prefer to work as a freelancer or subcontractor? | | | | stress corporate career LOVE WHAT YOU DO AND |
| - Working at home can be very isolating. The social | | | | THE REASONS FOR DOING IT! |