When I left my job as a legal assistant over 17 years ago so I could work from home and flex my schedule around my new baby, I knew there would be many challenges I would have to navigate.   Over the years I've come up with a few strategies to make my day go smoother and ensure optimum productivity.

1. Every evening do a brain dump.  There’s a reason I put this one first.  I can’t stress the importance of this one enough.  Write down everything that is weighing on your mind, all your to dos for the following day, including phone calls you need to make, appointments you need to keep, emails you need to send, bills you need to pay.  You can release these from your train of thought and it will allow you to sleep better.  You can add to your list throughout the day as you think of things, but continue to do this each evening.  You can do this either on paper or utilizing an app like Google Keep, GTasks, Cozi, Asana, Trello, Evernote, etc.  There are many available, so just test drive until you find one that suits you best.  The perfect one is the one that you use!
   
   
2. Make Sure Your Work Time is Spent on Work.  You can’t expect to successfully work at home if you spend most of your day trolling social media and surfing the web (unless that's what your business involves).  Make sure you have set times for checking your personal email and social media sites and use a timer to stay on track. 
   
   
3. Housework Breaks.  Do you find yourself easily distracted by household chores?  First of all, delegate what you can to other family members or hire a house cleaner.  Whatever is left that you must do yourself, break it down into bite size 10 minute tasks and whip through them on your breaks.  Again, your timer is your best friend to ensure you don’t drag it out too long.  You’d be surprised how much you can get done in just 10 minutes.  If you put a playlist of your favourite tunes on your phone, you might even enjoy yourself!
   
   
4. Be flexible.   Chances are it's a big reason why you wanted to be in business for yourself in the first place.  It’s not just about being available for family emergencies.   If an important business contact you’ve been dying to get together with is suddenly available for coffee, be willing to move your day around to make it happen. 
   
   
5. Set boundaries - Following the flexibility advice, I'll add a caveat.  Don’t become TOO flexible.  If you drop everything whenever a neighbor or family member needs something, they come to expect it and your productivity will suffer, and before you know it, your day has been eaten up by other people's demands.  YOU are in control of your business, so don't give anyone else your power.  Eliminate the guilt.  If you were working outside the home these people would not show up at your office asking you to run errands, babysit their children, bathe their cat or unclog their toilet.  Be discerning when changing your plans.   Ultimately people will learn to respect your business as much as YOU respect it. 
   
   
6. Lock your door - Unless it's a courier delivering a package, ignore the doorbell and pretend you're not home.  Because in fact you are not at home, you're at work.  Drop in visits will soon stop when there is no answer at the door.
   
   
7. Use caller ID - Don't answer personal phone calls during work hours.  Embrace the convenience of voicemail and return your calls after business hours.   Unless it's your child's school calling, it can probably wait.  If you return a call and someone is brash enough to ask why you didn't answer your phone during the day, just brush it off and say, "Oh, people always forget that I work during the day.  What's up?"
   
   
8. Schedule your work hours - Mark them in your calendar just like any other appointment and stick to it.  Inform your friends and family of your schedule.  It may take awhile for them to catch on but eventually they will.
   
   
9. Just say no - The sooner you learn this fine art, the better.  Don't feel obligated to say yes to every request.  Look in the mirror and practice saying, "Thank you so much for thinking of me.  Unfortunately my schedule doesn't allow for that right now."  If it is something you actually want to do, but just not right now, you can add, "Please keep me in mind for next time."  The more you practice saying this, the easier it will get.
   
   
10. Kid proof your day - If you work with children at home, plan for it.  Hire a babysitter, trade off with another parent, or have something special that they are only able to do while you are working.  A special book they can read, a (non-messy) craft activity, a favourite TV show.  Depending on their age you can get them involved by giving them a task associated with your business such as shredding old paperwork, licking envelopes, filing, etc.  They love to feel helpful and it is a great way for them to earn extra spending money and gain some independence.
    
    

I’ve been working from home for over 17 years.  Was it always easy?  No.   Do I still face challenges?  Yes.  Is it worth it?  Absolutely!
 
With a little practice, you can learn to manage your interruptions and enjoy a productive work day.  Teach them.  They will learn!

I’d love to hear some of your favourite tips on how you work successfully from home.

​The hustle and bustle of the holidays is over and 2018 is upon us.  Many people use the beginning of the new year to have a fresh start and make some positive changes in their life. 
 
Whether that means losing weight, exercising more, quitting an addiction, getting your finances in order, spending more time with loved ones, spending less time in front of distractions like television, electronic games or social media, or devoting more time or money to your favourite charitable cause, it's important to have a strategy.  Breaking it down into bite-size steps can prevent that feeling of overwhelm and analysis paralysis.
                                                                                          

1. Clutter:  Many of us have had a lifetime of collecting "stuff" either due to our own personal shopping habits or being gifted or inheriting items from loved ones.  With the current craze of tiny homes and leading a minimalist lifestyle, many folks are feeling crushed under the weight of all their possessions.   What to do?  My own strategy last year was to get rid of 5 items per day.  It's manageable and doesn't take a lot of time.  You can often find those items in the time it takes to brew your coffee in the morning.  If counting items doesn't work for you, try setting a timer for just 5 or 10 minutes a day and pick up as many items as you can.  If your items are still in good usable condition, don't forget to donate them to your local thrift store so that your items can do good within our community.  
2. Saving Money:  If you've resolved to save money, even if you don't have a lot to spare, small amounts can give you great results at the end of the year.  Try setting aside just 1% of your income into a separate savings account.  If you find a cheaper insurance plan, cell phone plan, or a cheaper place to buy groceries, you can take those extra funds and pop that right into your savings account.  Did you cash in some of your loyalty rewards at the checkout?  Put that amount in your account too.   Did you quit smoking or cut back on your daily takeout coffee or fast food?  That saved money can go in there too.  You may be surprised how quickly it adds up.
3. Debt Reduction:  If reducing debt is on your list, try the snowball method of repayment.  List all your outstanding debts then choose one to focus on (usually the one with the smallest balance to see quick results).  Paying the minimum on the other debts, throw all the extra money you can at the focused debt (see above for some thoughts on where to find a little extra cash) .  Once that debt is paid, move onto the next one, and keep going until you slay them all.  The sense of relief you will feel is beyond belief.
4. Healthy Weight:  If losing weight is what you strive for, there are lots of tools at your disposal.  Memberships to fitness studios and weight loss groups typically spike at this time of year, along with the purchase of fitness trackers and equipment for the home.  You don't need to spend a ton of money, though.  Many people credit support and accountability with their success, so grab a buddy or two to stay motivated and boost your chance of success.

 
Your local libraries, continuing education facilities and community centres have a wide selection of free and inexpensive programs relating to all aspects of your life.  Stop in or pick up one of their brochures to see how they can help you meet your objectives.
 
No matter what your goals are, tracking your progress will help keep you motivated.  This can be as simple as a small notebook, or find an app on your phone or tablet if that's more your style.
 
Decide what's important to you in 2018 and design a plan so you can make that happen.  In 2018 there are  more tools available than ever before, so get busy designing the life of your dreams.