WAHM Wednesday

WFHM or WAHM Wisdom: Tips for setting a work schedule

As we’ve discussed in the past, I do have a bit of an identity crisis. Am I a parenting blogger, mommy blogger, homeschooling blogger, work from home blogger? Man, so many boxes and not enough room!

In an effort to balance my decision to stick to parenting stuff (mainly ), I have designated just a few days where I can talk about other areas of my life that might be of interest to you. So, on Wednesdays, I will be bringing you the WFHM/WAHM wisdom. Oh, the acronyms? WFHM (work from home mom, which I use for people who actually run their business from home. This would apply to people who are full-time, part-time or even hobby time in business) and then WAHM (work at home mom, which I use as people who work another organization, say a magazine or pharmaceutical company and they have an in-home office, commuter and flex time employees would work here). I adhere to these classifications myself even though there are many similarities. The question I get from most people at my workshop is How do you do it all? My response: What do you, Trump, Oprah and Tiger have in common? People start to think and after about 5 minutes, I say, “You all start out every day with 24 hours in it. The differences between you is how the hours are spent.”

Hmmm….is the response I normally get.

Every business, every organization, the world runs on time, timing, seasons. I’ve fought in many organizations about how inefficient and ineffective people were because they did not know how to maximize their time. I have offended many people because I was the manager who started meetings according to the time on the clock even when people were outside of the room talking, getting coffee, wrapping up their phone calls (which tended to be personal in nature anyway…another post, another post) and I NEVER saw fit to wait for people or encourage them to be in their seat. This is not elementary school, people, and if you need a bell to tell you to be in your seat, set the alarm to go off on your watch. OUCH! If looks could kill, I would be writing this from the Master’s office.

Time is a precious commodity. Don’t waste it on the phone, checking your emails, sitting in meetings that have no real purpose or better yet, no clear purpose. Is this what you’re doing in your home office? Then check out a few tips I have for you, so that you can make the most of your time and a couple of fun bonuses since it is summertime and the kids want to be a part of what you’re doing.

1. Set a schedule, PLEASE and stick to it. I’ve tried the free flowing method of writing when the mood hits you or starting my day at different times every day and it just didn’t work. Well, it wasn’t the best way to be productive. Yes, emergencies come up, but not every day. How do you set a schedule?

Know your peak times and down times and definitely know those times for your family. Are you a morning person? A night owl? Do your kids sit still for a movie or are they better at the park? You have to make sure that you position yourself to be productive when you have the MOST energy.

For example, I’m a morning person, like 5 am morning and I don’t try to do anything that requires a creative brain cell after say…4 p.m. By 10 pm, I’m ready to crawl in the bed. The kids?
My children normally hit the floor, hungry, at 8:30 am. so I try to get as much writing/editing/creating done between 5 & 8. Ask yourself these questions:

• When am I fresh, most creative?
• When am I normally at peace, focused, not distracted?
• Do I pay attention to how I spend my time?
• When are the kids most active, most engaged? Can I take my lunch break with them after I’ve created, been productive, met my daily goal?
• When can I sneak away and the kids not notice? (In my house, that would be anytime the Teletubbies come on)

Keep a journal of your day for at least a week and hone in on when you are most at the top of your game. Build your schedule around your findings. Because email and voicemail don’t require a lot of thinking (just scamming, filtering, quick responding), I TRY (I’m not quite there yet) not to check my email or my voice mails during my morning flow time.2. Once you’ve set a schedule, have the schedule posted in several places in the house. I talk to my children about mommy work hours and the older ones have to keep the little ones in check, but they don’t even come near my office unless it’s a real emergency.

3. Have a sign on the door for special situations like: Ok to come in or On the phone. These signs (which should ahve symbols for the little kids) are so much fun. I asked the kids to help me design them. My youngest daughter wants to put glitter on the “Mommy’s working” sign. Hey, whatever works.

4. Make meal time easy for EVERY one by making it simple or making it in advance. Crackers, turkey slices, carrot sticks and apple slices is what I prepare for the toddler. Every one else in my house can make their own lunch. I have just recently decided to put a cafeteria type menu on the cabinets and on the refrigerator since my younger son said, “Mommy, what are my options? I’m bored with turkey and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”

5. Build in some fun. Every time I submit an article, I beef up the movies for family movie night, so we usually do 2 movies, but if they were respectful of my space, took care of their chores without prompting, then hey, 3 to 4 movies is alright with me.

I have been working for home and at home over 10 years as a freelance writer, computer trainer, independent sales director, corporate contractor and life coach. I hope this information helps you in your scheduling challenges with the children. Useful, helpful, stupid idea? I want to hear from you. Also, you can read more of my work from home advice over at Blue Suit Mom. Click the Ask an Expert and previously asked questions are answered there.

© 2007 DahGurl.