When one is used to being in the corporate world, they are used to having a set schedule and deadlines as to when certain tasks need to be completed I know as a teacher, my schedule was run by the ringing of a bell. I knew what I needed to get completed in that 45 minute period.

When one leaves that environment, it can be difficult to adjust to no bells, no time clocks, no boss telling you when to do certain tasks. I know when I first began working at home, I went from not spending any time working on my business to spending too much time in front of my computer instead of balancing my time with my family (The reason I was working from home in the first place) I knew I had to change something and that something was to create a schedule for myself.

Creating a schedule has multiple benefits:

*It forces you to treat your business as a business, not as a hobby.
*It helps you see what you are really spending your time on when you are working.
*It creates a high efficiency when you are working–it keeps you on task
*It helps you balance your time between family and business.(Perhaps the most important)

How do you create a schedule?

That depends much on you.

You will first need to figure out how much time you need to spend on your business each day. Then you can figure out how you are going to schedule that time.

Are you an early riser? Can you do a lot or all of your work before the family gets up in the morning? What time can you start? What time will you be done?

Are you a night owl? Maybe you can get a lot or all of your work done after the family is asleep.

During the day if you are at home with children, you may have to work during nap time. Is nap time enough time? Will you have to find more time during the day?

If you have children who are a bit older and can entertain themselves for a bit, I recommend a timer. I usually set it for 30 minutes and sit down and work during that time. while my children are playing in a nearby area (so I can keep my eye on them!) When the timer goes off, my children know that they have my undivided attention for the next 30 minutes. I may repeat this a few times during the day. This really helps me make sure I am not overly-focused on my work.

For some of you, it may be a combination of all of these things. When you know how long you need to work and when you can work, write it down what you need to get accomplished during that time. Personally, I make a list of “Things to do” each day for the following day and as I have time to work and I complete tasks, I check them off my list. It may even help you to jot down next to each task, how long it will take you to complete it.

Each person’s schedule will be different and you may have to tweak it to make it fit for you. Of course, there will be those days when things need to be adjusted due to a doctor’s appointment or an unexpected visit, but for the most part, you should be able to stick to your scheduled work times.

You are now your own boss–so act like the boss, make a schedule, and get to work!