What work at home mother doesn't need time managemet tips? Guest author, Kathy Dobson, provides some helpful tips to help you stay organized... and balanced!

Work at Home Moms and Time Management
By Kathy Dobson

To outsiders it may seem that work at home moms have it easy.
Nothing could be further from the truth. There is so much to
do in so little time that responsibilities can easily
interfere with one another. Balancing business deals and
family affairs can be tough.

Contrary to what a lot of people believe, being a work at
home mom is definitely hard work.

At the onset of any new business venture or online job, most
work from home moms make the mistake of dedicating all their
hours to their new venture.

They spend every waking hour doing what it takes to succeed
in their chosen career. Sometimes, even after everyone has
gone to sleep, they can't help but go to their computers to
work like a madwoman. If you are planning to become a work
at home mom, you have to remember that a major part of your
decision to become one stemmed from the fact that you want
to be home with your family.

What good would it do if you were physically present at
home, but mentally and emotionally absent because of work
you had to accomplish.

Although it is always noble to work hard to provide for your
family, it is equally important to learn how and when to draw
theline between your work schedule and spending time with
your family.

This is very important so that you don't end up burning out
your new business excitement as well as alienating yourself
from your family. Flexibility is a very important skill to
develop if you want to be a work at home mom. You need to
accept the fact that some things will not get done right
away or in the time frame you have set.

There are also friends and family members that may test your
patience because they can't grasp the whole idea of your
working from home.

Nevertheless, you can always find ways around your current
situation by following the tips mentioned below.

First off, you need to work around a schedule. Even if your
routine is not set in stone, you really have to have some
sort of schedule to keep you going.

If you have children at home, it may be best if you work
when they are sleeping -- for instance late at night and in
the wee hours of the morning.

If you have a tough assignment to do that will take your
attention the whole day, be sure to ask or hire someone to
watch over your children while you are finishing it.

Just like any other business or career, there will always be
slow times. These are the times when you barely have anything
to do at all.

During this time, you can get organized and keep up to date
with bookkeeping and other business related matters.

Use this valuable free time to arrange your desk and keep
important documents nearby so that you won't waste time
trying to find them when they're needed.

Although working at home is convenient and flexible, it
doesn't mean that you don't need any documentation for your
business.

It's more important than ever to keep records of everything
and anything related to your business so that it will be
easier for you to keep track of finances and any other
issues related to your business.

It is also very important to keep a calendar on your desk
and in your purse. Use a desk calendar and look at it at
least once a day to make sure you don't forget any important
dates or work tasks that need completing that day.

These tips are just starting points in redefining your work
at home career. You can easily become a pro at balancing
your family affairs and your business needs once you get the
hang of scheduling and organizing.

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Kathy Dobson is a free spirited business owner and
entrepreneur dedicated to helping others achieve financial
and personal freedom through Internet marketing with an
emphasis on outsourcing.
Grab your Free outsourcing ebook:
http://www.kathydobson.com