Balancing work and life is important whenever you work at home.  While you have the freedom to work flexible hours so that you can be with your family, you will need to be self-disciplined to ensure you are still productive while you are at work.  With this in mind, here are some tips that will help you balance work and life:

Tip #1: Create a Schedule

Lay out a schedule for your family to follow.  You need to schedule your work hours into your day, even if they are not the same hours everyday.

Tip #2: Plan a Weekly Menu

Create a menu for the next week before you go grocery shopping.  This will save you both time and money.

Tip #3: Plan Out Your Week

Plan your week out ahead of time. Give a copy of your weekly schedule to your family to show them that you are serious about your work.  This will also help to hold yourself accountable whenever it comes to following this schedule.

Tip #4: Spend Time with Your Partner

Make sure to set time aside for your partner.  Have a date night each week so that you will have time together alone as adults.  This effective stress management technique will help you to stay emotionally connected with one another.

Tip #5: Have Fun with Your Family

Set time aside to do something fun with your family each week.  This is another effective stress management technique that will keep everyone happier and more balanced. 

Tip #6: Set Boundaries

Establish realistic boundaries for your work and family life. Let your family know that you are unavailable to them during your work hours.  This can be challenging if you have small children, in which case, you will need your family's help.

Tip #7: Create a Home Office

Build yourself a work area that is away from the rest of your family.  Even if you need to use a curtain to block off a corner of a room (so that you can have your own office), do so.  This will help cut down on distractions, and allow you to focus better.  It will also help you to separate your work from your family life.  

Tip #8: Be Organized

Keep your workspace organized. You will save a lot of time by not having to hunt for things.  This will also allow you to be more productive.

Tip #9: Don't Procrastinate

By waiting until the last minute to finish a project, you will become stressed, and this will adversely affect your family. If you are unable to tackle a large project due to time constraints or distractions, break down your large project into smaller, more manageable and reachable goals. This will help cut down on procrastination and increase productivity.

Tip #10: Close for the Night

Turn off your computer, shut your door, and turn out the lights in your office at the end of the day. This is how it would be if you were working outside of your home; it should be the same way if you work at home.  This will help separate and create a distinction between work time and personal time.

Whenever you work at home, it is easy to allow work to consume your days.  It is just as easy to spend your entire day with your family, instead of doing any work.  These tips will help you balance work and life.Balancing Work and Life: 10 Useful Tips