As a WAHM, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything you’ve got on your plate; from kids and their needs and schedules, to your spouses needs and schedules, keeping up the housework and building and running your work at home business, and all the unexpected stuff that life brings. Here are some tips to help you balance it all. (Notice the keyword is balance, not juggle.)
The most important thing you can do is: Make a schedule and stick to it as much as you can. I know life throws us curve balls every once in a while that may take us off that schedule for a bit, but once that’s straightened out, get back on your schedule. Be sure to include in your schedule all of your children’s activities, your spouses activities as well as a date night for the two of you, and time to build your business. The great thing about working from home is that you are able to set your own schedule most of the time. Don’t forget to include breaks for meals as well as some self-pampering time too!
Next, learn to say no. As as entrepreneur, you may tend to jump right in feet first, accepting every single project or opportunity that’s going to make you a little money. Before you do that, however, take a day or two to really consider the true value of the opportunity, to make sure it’s worth your while. 
Ask yourself these questions:
- How much time will this project consume?
- How much earning potential is there, not only now, but in the future?
- Does it get me closer to my goals and dreams?
- Will I love doing it?
If a project is going to take up way too much of your valuable time away from your family, you probably need to say no.
If there is some payout now, but none in the future, or vice versa, you probably want to say no.
If the particular project doesn’t get you closer to reaching your goals and dreams for yourself and your family, you definitely want to say no.
And if you know you will not enjoy working on that particular project, you probably want to say no.
If you’ve already jumped in feet first and are feeling overwhelmed, take a look at your current schedule and see if there’s anything that can be put aside for now until you get caught up. Then once you are caught up, follow these principals and don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed again. You’ll be much more productive when you’re not feeling overloaded and have 50 things going that have to be done right now.
What are some things you do to avoid becoming overwhelmed?
When you’ve gotten overwhelmed in the past, what did you do to ease the tension and stress?
Tue, Oct 13, 2009
Working at Home