My office at home is a busy place. From this 6 x10 room training events are planned, scheduled, and facilitated, authors’ and speakers marketing campaigns are marketed (two are in a Top 10 list!) I have the privilege of writing as a ghostwriter for professionals….which gives me the feeling of being a multiple personality person some days as one hour I am writing as an attorney, another a life coach! Virtual meetings are held and schooling is done. You see, unlike a regular office, I may have the joy of juggling a virtual staff meeting while I say …sign a form for son’s high school….or approve of a homeschooler’s math sheet that she simply can’t wait to see if she got it right! While those in an office may step out for a break, my breaks usually mean stepping to the laundry room to switch a batch…or to feed a pet rabbit who is kicking his cage to remind me….
Working from home means I choose my hours, and for me that means really early ones for my business. The early hours allow my writing gigs to be done in peace with only Mr. Bingley overseeing my progress. Bingley is a strict believer in Mom in seat by 5:30 a.m….after all, if I’m not up and working, he’s not inside snuggling to my slippers.
Once 7:00 a.m. arrives, all bets are off until 8:30 or so. Family is up, they need breakfast and snuggling…and papers found. I used to try to stay on a “tight” schedule and that my friends is asking for insanity with a family still at home. I have a client that regularly calls throughout the day, so I try very hard to be available for their needs…which means other clients work is done early if possible.
Homeschooling daughter has moved to early afternoon. last year we figured out that she is not a morning person and prefers working alone the morning hours 9-11 and then we work together from 12:00-2:30….such a peaceful discovery. By then I am through with work, or it can wait and she is warmed up to work with Mom. 3:30 means everyone stops because brother is home, friends come over and errands are run if needed.
I continually fight for a routine, a schedule, and a daily grind…however it is very much a fight for life doesn’t come in neat tidy packages and neither does my work day…..what works for me is working every day to remember that people are more important than tasks and contracts only work if they SUPPORT my family, not just pay for them….if flexibility can’t be a factor then they’ll probably be happier elsewhere….and so will I.
Boundaries are they key, and they are tough for me…..I simply have to truly be a watchguard all the time on what I can and cannot take on. Our goal is not for me to work 40-60 hours per week, but to work 10-15…and Les and I work hard continually to keep our world working so that we can keep the boundaries in place…..our goals are still the same, God first, my Husband second, the children and then work…..(notice I didn’t put laundry anywhere on the top 5! :) but the truth is, its priority too!
God is good!
Sweetie
