Here’s a great article for work-at-home moms trying to balance home and business.  It can also help with those of you working outside the home too.  Remember, you don’t have to do it all by yourself! 

Balancing Your Home and Business Life without Having Super Powers

Article by: Aurelia Williams

For moms who work from home, balancing the home and business sides of their lives can feel downright impossible, especially when the reason they began working from home was so they could spend more time with family. However, many home businesses actually fail because moms don’t manage to balance business and home life. How can you juggle your family’s needs, your business needs and occasionally find some time for your needs without being a super hero?

The first thing any mom should do to achieve balance is to get the family involved. If your children and husband support you, you will find that they interrupt less often and are more likely to pitch in to get household chores done. You’re probably thinking that will happen the day the moon turns to blue cheese, right? However, if you mention that you need to get a major project done and will be able to buy a pizza and rent a video when you are paid, you may be surprised at how quickly everyone pitches in to help out.

If you have young children, they may not be able to understand the concept of waiting for a reward. To get your younger children involved, try explaining what you are doing in very simple terms and having them help you. Set up a small desk or table for your toddlers and add crayons and paper so they can help you with your work by drawing some pictures or writing a letter. Children that are a bit older can put stamps on envelopes and seal them, paperclip papers together or do other simple organizational tasks.

Of course, no matter how supportive your family and friends are, they are not going to be happy if you work 15 hours a day. Make sure that you ask for uninterrupted time to do your job or run your business, but also make sure that you schedule time for your family and friends. While you are making up that schedule, don’t forget your significant other. If you sit at your computer all evening after the children are tucked away for the night, you may end up with some serious relationship issues!

Once your family and friends are involved and you’ve scheduled time for them in your life, it is time to consider a few ways to make the most of your valuable work time. While you may be tempted to work non-stop during the time you have dedicated to your business, you should actually try to take some breaks. Taking a half-hour walk or having lunch away from your desk can really help you recharge your mind and keeps your body from growing stiff and tired. When you sit back down, you can do so with a clearer view of your goals and fresh energy and focus.

Also, don’t be afraid to make a “to do” list for your business. Write the four or five items you absolutely must do on your list and promise yourself that you will get them done before you visit your favorite forums or check your email. This can really help you get more work accomplished in less time.

So, although you may not have super powers, you can still have a home life, a business life and some time for yourself. The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath, ask your family for some help and try out a few of these great ideas for balancing your life.

Article by: Aurelia Williams is the author of Journey To Joy, an inspiring eBook that explores many obstacles that women face. It also provides essential action steps, worksheets, resources and an hour long Balancing Your Life Audio.

When grocery shopping, you have the choice of paper or plastic grocery bags. Paper used to be the most common. Now plastic has taken its place. Most people use plastic because that is what is offered. However, you can still get paper and some people prefer that option. Then there are the few who bring their own environmentally-friendly cloth bags to the grocery store every week.

What does this have to do with time management? Really… nothing… except the analogy that even though times have changed the options, the choices are still yours to make. Everyone has their own unique style. What works for someone else may not work for you.

Modern technology has provided a multitude of time management tools for each of us to use. Paper products such as wall calendars, desk calendars, spiral bound planners and loose-leaf organizers are still very popular options. Over time, PC software tools, website utilities, and smartphones have joined in the possibilities. The options are virtually endless. Explore these tools and determine which one, or combination, fits your individual needs.

Scheduling of your time for optimum productivity also presents many options. Consider how and when you work at your best. Are you the type that gets more done when you start a task and stick to with it all day long without distraction? (Is the lack of distraction even possible?) Or do you prefer to complete a big project in smaller steps and do multiple, different tasks in one day? Some people are more productive in the morning, while others work late into the night. Which one are you? Figure out what works best for you and then plan accordingly.

In order to effectively manage your time, you need to choose what tools and management style work for you as an individual. Trying to do it someone else’s way is like trying to put a square peg in a round hole and will only lead to an overwhelming feeling of chaos. Doing it your way, believe it or not, could actually make scheduling a little more… fun!

How to Be Organized in Spite of Yourself: Time and Space Management That Works with Your Personal Style Revised and updated, this is a fabulous resource for one of the hottest topics of the last decade–getting organized! Recognizing that just one organizational system is not for everyone, the authors have devised solutions that provide ten different systems to match ten basic personality types, such as Perfectionist Plus, Hopper, Fence Sitter, Pack Rat, and Total Slob.

IF – YOU HAD ALL THE MONEY YOUR HEART DESIRES?

IF – YOU HAD NO WORRIES?

IF – YOU CAME HOME AND THE FINEST MEAL IS AWAITING YOU?

IF – YOUR BATHWATER HAD BEEN RUN?

IF – YOU HAD THE PERFECT KIDS?

IF – YOUR PARTNER WAS AWAITING YOU, WITH OPEN ARMS AND KISSES?

SO, WHERE WOULD YOU BE?

HELLOOooo!!!!!!!!!

YOU’D BE IN THE WRONG *&CKING HOUSE!!

Now that I’ve rejoined the working world and gotten a JOB, I’m no longer a WAHM. (Well, I’m still a work-at-home mom… I just work outside the house now too.) I figure in order to be honest and have my blog reflect what is current, I have some website changes to make. “Life Balance for the Work at Home Mom” is now just “Life Balance for Moms”. Hopefully I’ve just increased my audience.

I spent some time working on the website this weekend. I’ve done an overhaul on the blog theme. It’s not quite so “blah” any more and I’ve retained my rainbow concept. What do you think?

I updated my about page which hadn’t been touched in almost two years. I’m going to be going through old posts, deleting some, republishing others… cleaning house per say. I am thinking that I may also do away with the entire main website and keep just the blog. Opinions?

So, who’s still with me? Do I still have any of my old readers now that I’ve abandoned you for so long? LOL! Post a “hi” or something to let me know you’re still here.