work from home

Is your busy schedule running you ragged? Studies show that we are running at a faster pace than in generations past. Between work, family, and the daily demands of life, there is little time left in a day to decompress. Unfortunately, when you don’t take time out to relax, you can be headed for trouble. Emotional and physical problems are often the result of over-stressed, over-tired adults on the go.

Starting up a home-based business creates many new challenges. One that is unique for a home-based entrepreneur is on the home front, in having to balance work and home life. If you don’t pay attention, work will overrun the home life and that in itself will likely cause the business to go under. When you start a business that is operated outside of the home, when you leave the work place it’s difficult for work to follow you home. Yes, there is the home office computer and email, but at least you shift to a new environment. Not with a home business, however. So you must develop a self discipline, a mind-set, to keep the environments separate.

So if you’re running on empty, it’s time to make some changes. Following are ways that you can find more time in the day and ultimately take better care of yourself.

1. Identify commitments you made that you dread including memberships, time-wasting meetings, etc. Learn to say no and eliminate them.

2. Start and end each day with a To Do list and then prioritize each task. Odds are that you won’t accomplish every task on the list so tackle the most important items and then forget about the rest when the day is over.

3. Make a list of goals. This will help you focus on what is important. Goals should include short-term and long-term plans for your business, personal life, and family.

4. Set a schedule for daily and weekly activities, and put them on your calendar. For example, dedicate one hour per week to updating your blog or decide that you will make sales calls between 9am to 10am each morning. When you start blocking out your time for tasks, not only will you use your time more wisely, but you will start meeting goals and will put an end to the multi-tasking cycle.

5. Get organized. Countless hours can be wasted due to missing paperwork, and lost time can equate to lost income. Schedule time to take care of the clutter, and either hire a professional organizer or dedicate yourself to getting systems in place and finding a home for everything in your work and home space.

6. Check e-mail no more than two to three times per day (morning, afternoon and end of the day). Organize messages with folders and try to touch each message only once.

7. Take frequent breaks throughout the day. Sitting at a desk all day is a recipe for disaster resulting in back and neck problems, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Get up from your desk, walk around, stretch, breathe, have a glass of water and take a few minutes to clear your head.

8. Keep your energy up with small meals throughout the day. It’s easy to skip meals when you’re in the heat of the workday, but this can actually impair productivity. Instead of reaching for a caffeine fix, grab a granola bar, a piece of fruit, or a cup of yogurt. Keep snacks on hand to make it easy to keep your personal engine fueled throughout the day.

9. Leave early at least one day each week. Treat yourself to some time alone or spend some quality time with your family.

10. Quit doing it all yourself. Outsourcing is a great way to reclaim your time. Think you can’t afford it? Consider what you earn hourly. If you can hire someone to take care of tasks for less, then it’s probably a worthwhile investment. Hire a virtual assistant to help with paperwork, have your laundry picked up, get a landscaper or house cleaner, and have your groceries delivered.

Even implementing just a few of these suggestions can make a dramatic improvement in your well-being. And if any of these suggestions leave you feeling guilty, shake it off. Work will always be there, but if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be of any use at work or at home. Take care of number one, and the rest will fall into place. HBM

Stephanie Chandler is the author of several business and marketing books including “From Entrepreneur To Infopreneur: Make Money With Books, E-Books And Information Products.” She is the founder of www.BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs and www.TheBusinessGrowthConnection.com, a marketing company specializing in electronic newsletters and advanced education for business owners.