Managing the Challenges of Family and Distractions While Working on (or at) Your Business
….Before You Start Yelling at Everyone to Leave You Alone
….or maybe after yelling?
I am taking a different direction today – normally I am all about writing about wellness, business, and coaching insight…however today it is all about surviving at home and how to run your business from home. This theme also applies to anyone looking to start or organize their business from home.
You could argue this article is about my own managing my wellness – or sanity in running my own business.
Quick’ish Rant: Here is the thing I chose this life of working from home – and I chose to keep my kids home over the summer and not send them to multiple camps and families. I chose to work out of my home, to run my own business. This is the Life I chose – and this life chose me. It is what it is (uggg I hate/love that saying).
But what I also have chosen (unwilling at times) to be is my kids’ source of entertainment, UberDriver, social convenor, housekeeper, personal shopper, mom, bank and cafeteria. The order of those items might be in order of priority 🤦♀️.
My Quick’ish History
I decided to change career paths for a few reasons – primarily due to my own personal wellness and wanting to do something for me. I needed to focus on what I was called to do – to be a Leader, a Coach, a Mentor, and above all else a present mom (sounds cliché I know).
So here I am today trying to Run my Business from home and finding it is not as easy I assumed it would be. Don’t get me wrong – I have read the articles, the blogs and the advice on how to work from home to keep your focus on your business. Hell I coach the ‘how to’ to my own clients who are starting and/or running their own business….but giving the advice and following it are very different. I am there to hold my clients accountable – but who is holding me accountable? Me!! Shit.
Excuses
I was about to write and give you the ‘excuses’ to why I have been so distracted while working at home (and at the cottage) – so here it was ”it’s the summer”. One of my clients even used this ‘excuse’.
Here’s my Call to J – If you are working for yourself excuses are really just a pretty way of saying “I am avoiding” – regardless of the season if you not working on your business we are choosing not to. We have convinced ourselves the excuses are valid, but in reality they are not excuses — we are avoiding the work. Even as I type right now I am disappointed in my own lack of focus over the summer. I was honestly avoiding – Sorry ? Is there a help group for this? Oh that me – your friendly business coach 😘.
So the excuses stop today (well a couple of weeks ago) – I will no longer be avoiding (and possibly scared) of my business. I will be focused on both my business and my family….and oh Me!
Let’s get to the ‘How To Work from Home….with Kids!’
How to Work from Home – with Kids – Basics 101
Setting Your Priorities
It is crucial that you outline your priorities – and not just for your work, but also for your personal/family life. Check out my ‘how to’ quick’ish exercise on how to identify your personal and business priorities (Your Business Plan)…..coming soon.
When it comes to working from home if you need to clear priorities as it will be easier to align your schedule and your balance between home and work. In my exercise to outlining your Plan I also incorporate setting up a schedule. Having a schedule and/or milestones will keep you focused on the ‘prize’, which means you need to do the work to get to the end! #sorrynotsorry
#Truth: Here’s the thing – you have chosen to work from home. You owe it to yourself to keep focused on why you have chosen this, and how to stay on this path. You will need a plan. Hitting your goals or results is a hell-of-a-lot easier when you know what your goals actually are.
Your Space
Set up a space that is designated to your work/business. This space should not have a dual purpose and should not be shared with other family members. Sorry for all the no-no’s – but you need to buckle down and set up shop. Consider the situation if you were in a four-wall-office — you wouldn’t be sharing a desk with your co-worker would you?
Your space is your place to focus – and to get shit done. Turn off your Candy Crush, turn off the TV, mute your phone, put away your breakfast, and settle in.
Coming Soon: Need Ideas on how to set up your space – check out my UPCOMING BLOG on what you need and how to tackle the ‘space’ you are dedicating to you and your business.
Laundry – and Other Household Duties
Would you be doing housework between meetings in the corporate world? You wouldn’t be taking breaks to change the laundry or empty the dishwasher. I get it – it is so much easier to get all these tasks done now that you are working from home. But again – you didn’t choose to work at home so that you could do more laundry and housework….and yes I am guilty for this.
If you have your priorities outlined, and you have your schedule set up around your business, your kids, and your self-care (yes you should be scheduling self-care) then I need you to schedule in housework and errands.
Also – feel free to delegate these tasks to the kids and or to your partner (side-kick). Just because you are working from home it doesn’t mean you are now 100% responsible for maintaining the house. This goes the same for all of those working 100% outside the home, or stay-at-home parents. It should not be all on you #PSA & #sorrynotsorry .
A Door – Virtual or Real
If you are like me you don’t have the luxury of a private four walled space – with a door. I have four walls, but there are two entrances into my space. I am wide open for the distractions – and constant asks.
So how do I get around not having a door?
When no one is home – no issues I imagine, but when the kids are home there are a couple options:
- Setting boundaries with your kids (see below) – overall it is about ‘talking’ to them about respecting your space and that when you are working you are focused.
- Plug Your Ears ( iPods ) – whatever works. Consider this your virtual door.
- Signage – There is no shame in putting up a sign “Focused” or “Working”.
- Post Your Schedule – Put up a schedule so your family knows when you are working – post it outside your office space.
- Fake Door – Recently I put up a wall of Painters Tape in one of the entrances to my space. It was a goofy thing to do – but it was a great visual reminder to my kid what I was focused on. He helped me put it up – which led to better recognition of my space needs.
But I Do Have a Door (lucky)
Now if you are one of the lucky ones that have a physical door in your home that blocks out the noise – JEALOUS! Lol. But really the above options above still apply. Doors still open and close, and kids (or side-kicks) will or may continue to ‘check in’ on you. So don’t be shy to post some signage on your door about your focus. As well posting your schedule – let your family be a part of what your plan is.
Fun Tip: Be cheeky and post a sign-up board outside of your space. (Sign up Sheet – Name/Time/Date/Ask)
Setting Boundaries with Your Kids
This is a blog post within a Blog post
This is about setting expectations of your space vs. their space. This can be tricky if you are the parent on duty. Depending on your kids you need to plan ahead – and you need to put any shame aside and ask for help. Your friends and family want you to succeed – so asking them for help or support will be tough – but you need support.
Remember you are trying to Run Your Business From Home – your focus at home should be just as good as if you were in a corporate space (maybe??)
Keeping The Kids Busy
If your children are under the age of 10 I would strongly recommend setting up a schedule where they will be out of the house so you can focus. However, over the summer (or school breaks) this can be a challenge due to so many reasons. However, you still have options – registering for camps at the YMCA, or day camps. There are camps for all budgets.
If your kiddos are under the age of 5 – this will be more complex and potentially more expensive. There is always the idea of playdates – that you don’t attend – but let’s assume you can’t be constantly expecting your friends to watch over your babies. Check for local Community Center’s for daycare options that could help you out. Another option is to play the ‘grandparent card’ if you have a grandparent that is needing more ‘grandkid’ time – come up with a schedule that works for them that they can commit to. Keep to a schedule – better for everyone.
For the Big Kiddos
Time to learn some independence (sorta) and to make some smart choices in what they can do with their time. Having a family meeting will help set the ground work for expectations of your time and help brainstorm some things the kids can do without you.
Tip: Come up with a massive list of chores or activities they can do independently. The kids NEED to help make this list – if they don’t buy in don’t expect them to attempt any of the list items.
Importance of a Schedule
Sticking to a schedule for the kids will not only help them with stability of what is happening, but it will give you structure on how to schedule your time around their schedule. Be open and honest with them on what you are trying to accomplish and why it is important that you need time to focus on your work – which opens up time to have you FULLY present to spend time with them.
Tip: If the kids are going to be home all day and you have ‘shit’ to get done – then a pre-meeting with the family is required. During breakfast lay out the day. Find out what everyone’s goals/plans are and provide them how much time you will need to have your own focus. If plans need to be made that requires you driving them – book it in your schedule and work around it. Your schedule will become your bible and your way of holding yourself accountable to YOU.
Check out my Post on How to Keep Your Kids Busy and Organized.
The Wrap Up
Okay friends – going to wrap it up here. I will be posting more about How to Run Your Business From Home, tips and tricks, your business plan and helping you focus in on your goals/priorities. Let’s do this together!
If you have questions, or are looking for a business mentor, give me a shout. I am pulling together a 6-month package on how to work with me and keep your motivation going full steam on building YOUR business.
All the best –
Jen
📷 Credit: Unsplash – Minh Pham, Andy Fitzsimon on Unsplash, My own iPhone
