Working from Home

A life where you're in control

Working from home in a flexible business is a dream come true for many people, especially those of us whose aim is to balance work with family life.

Imagine being able to drop your kids off at school at a leisurely pace, instead of going like the clappers to make sure you get to the office by 9am (how do you do that?).

Imagine picking the kids up from school and having some time to spend with them before 'getting the dinner on'.

No more traffic jams and commutes that take an hour when it should be 20 minutes. No more office politics and spending most of the day wishing you were somewhere else.

It really does make sense to learn as much as you can, and when trying to balance as many home and work commitments as we're sure you are, the opportunity to study your chosen courses at home is ideal.

Is it for you?

A home based business has so many advantages and can give you the balance you're looking for in life.

But before you start popping open the champagne and singing 'Hallelujah, I've cracked it!' we recommend you take the time to consider if working from home really is right for you and your family.

You'll need self-discipline

You'll need oodles of self-discipline to work from home, and if you haven't got it you'll need to learn.

When you go out to a place of work your day is mapped out for you; you arrive at the office at 9am, have lunch at 1pm, leave at 5pm, and sit at your desk in between. We know that's over simplified, but we're sure you see the point.

At home it can be easy to get distracted. A nice warm sunny day to spend in the garden. 'This Morning' on the telly. A friend popping round for a cuppa.

Add structure to your day

When you work from home you need to structure your day to ensure you get things done. Make sure your friends and family know that when you are working it means you can't really be disturbed.

Having said that, it can be possible to get done in 3 hours what would have taken you 7 hours in the office if you plan your time efficiently. So, as always, there are swings and roundabouts.

Going to the other extreme, you need to know when to stop. Just because you work from home doesn't mean you should work into all hours of the morning!

Set goals

Set yourself goals every day or week and have the aim of achieving them. You'll be amazed at how good you'll feel when you do.

Ways to tackle loneliness

If you live out of town and enjoy spending lunchtimes in the pub with your friends and colleagues, then consider if a home based business is really for you.

Generally, if contact with other people on a daily basis is important to you, make sure you choose a work from home business that facilitates it.

An example would be an Aromatherapist who spends some of the day out visiting clients, and some of the day at home doing paper work (yes, you will need to do paper work).

The advantage of a business where you visit clients is that you do get to interact with people regularly. Plus, you can make sure you schedule appointments at times that are convenient for you. This way you can still reap the benefits of working from home and being with your family.

Find ways to meet people

Another great way to keep in touch with people is to join a business network. You'll probably find a local women's network where you can meet with other women and share your ups and downs.

There are also online networking communities that can provide a lifeline to work at home mums. And of course, you've always got your friends at Lotus.

Many people are scared by the idea of networking, but remember it's a skill you'll have probably mastered when attending antenatal classes and mother and baby groups a plenty!

Family Life

Designate a separate place for your work from home office and make sure that your family respect that space as separate from the rest of the house.

Don't ban them from your office, but make sure they know the boundaries. When you're in the office, you're working.

On the flip side, don't spend all your time in your office! Make sure you spend time with your family in the evenings; they'll love you for it.

Be realistic about childcare

If you have very young children, a home based business will not solve your childcare issues entirely. Ensure that you have access to childcare when you need it, and if you're lucky enough to have grandma and grandpa nearby, then all the better!

We hope this has given you some food for thought and that you're still filled with enthusiasm. If you do decide to join Lotus we'll be able to cover more about setting up a home based business with our business start-up support following your course.