Scheduling is important when working from home. It can be simple as well as complicated for the work from home mom. Creating a workable schedule is important. It should allow for family time, chores, free time, skill development, appointments as well as online work opportunities.
Work from home opportunities can provide the flexibility and freedom needed for families. There are several simple things to consider when working out a schedule that includes time to work online. First of all, it is necessary to know whether work hours will be during specific times or provided with flexibility. Let us first look at scheduled hours.
Working Scheduled Hours
Online work that involves scheduled hours for some individuals is desired. For example, a stay at home mom has decided she is able to work on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 am to 12 noon. These are her scheduled hours to work. Appointments and chore times are set in the afternoon for this mom based upon her personal needs. She also has the ability to add skill development time as well as other things into her days later in the week. Family time is available in the evenings as well as the weekends.
Tips for Scheduled Work
Priorities should be made with the family, when scheduling family activities. If working from home is important, it is important to be able to meet the guidelines of your employer. Family events are usually equally important to the stay at home mom. Full time work may be desired, but also may be unrealistic depending on personal circumstances.
Creating a written schedule to follow will be helpful in meeting each type of needs. Work hours, appointments, events as well as other items can be listed within the schedule. Specific hours can be set aside for each priority. Also create to do lists to make sure all details are met on time, if needed.
Commit to job opportunities that you can reasonably complete. This is important in establishing an online reputation with employers. If there are challenges, be sure to communicate with employers in a professional manner. Working from home is not only doing work, but building a reputable image.
Flexible Hours
Flexible hours are also a wonderful asset to the family. Some employers do not mind when the work is done during the week, as long as project guidelines and deadlines are met. Each employer may also have different requirements. In this situation, the mother has more flexibility in planning her working time around daily events. This is especially nice when children are in the home. One week she may work in the mornings, while the next week it may be in the afternoons.
Tips for Flexible Work
Flexible work schedules are great for the self-starter. Organizational skills are needed to meet work guidelines as well as family needs. Creating a schedule is also strongly recommended. Allowing free time slots will provide for last minute changes in scheduling. Working from to do lists is also recommended.
Most mothers who work from home with a flexible schedule will desire to complete most of their work in the beginning of the work week. This allows provision for the employer as well as family needs. Another option is to schedule a certain number of hours each day for work, preferably early in the work week.
Important Considerations to Remember for Any Online Work
Set family and work priorities ahead of time
Choose jobs that fit into your scheduling needs
Create a work schedule and a family schedule (can be one schedule)
Create lists of work to be completed as well as family lists
Communicate with employers when extenuating circumstances arise
Adjust your schedule, if possible, to meet personal needs
Be honest with yourself and others when working with scheduling
Allow room for changes within the schedule
Remember to allow free time for yourself to recuperate
Be willing to change jobs, if necessary, to fit your needs better
Avoid unnecessary things that take up too much of your time
Be willing to plan and adjust as needed
