Getting what needs to be done, done! How do you do it?

[Dugsmom]

Thank you!!! I will have to block some time out for business only! I still have to keep up with the house...leaving the cleaning until whenever would cause problems here. My husband is a good man but if the business isn't making enough money to support me/us then he doesn't consider it a business. He calls it a hobby. He feels the same way about the Personal Training/Group Training that I do.
I will focus on this while he's at work and work really hard on it to prove that this is more than just a little hobby.

[Catherine L]

Originally Posted by Dugsmom

My husband is a good man but if the business isn't making enough money to support me/us then he doesn't consider it a business. He calls it a hobby. He feels the same way about the Personal Training/Group Training that I do.
I will focus on this while he's at work and work really hard on it to prove that this is more than just a little hobby.

I encountered this at the start from lots of different people. Family and friends. It is very frustrating, isn't it? I remember me wasting a lot of valuable time trying to explain that what I was doing had a future. Anyway, I wish you all the best with your business. And I know we'll all pitch in with advice when you need it, if you need it. Good luck!!

[mwldream]

Originally Posted by Catherine L

I encountered this at the start from lots of different people. Family and friends. It is very frustrating, isn't it? I remember me wasting a lot of valuable time trying to explain that what I was doing had a future. Anyway, I wish you all the best with your business. And I know we'll all pitch in with advice when you need it, if you need it. Good luck!!

My hubby was always really supportive of my online ventures and eventually joined me!

But I have had many family members complaining at me and the saying I used to always hear was "when are you going to get a real job?" Once they realised I supported myself and when I had nice holidays abroad that they couldn't afford they soon shut up!!!!

But I have found with some people is that they don't actually understand that word "blogging" or "freelancer" or "internet marketer" even though these same people have more gadgets than I do!

[Marci Miller]

Originally Posted by Dugsmom

One of my biggest problems with working at home (I have done it before with a VA business which kept my semi busy, and I had a small Personal training business for a very short time....about a month before I started working at a gym) is doing everything that I want to do for my business. I am going to give this another try but I need to figure out a way to get my marketing/ad, research, etc. done before the hubby gets home.
My problem is my husband considers my little home businesses as hobbies. It really brings me down. He feels the same way about the job that I work outside of the house. So, when I'm at home, I have to focus on the house and that slows me down when it comes to work. How do you all get your housework, shopping, etc. down and still have time for your business? Any tips, ideas?

I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. I forgot to say that it helps me to just put 5 or even 3 concrete things I will do for my business on my list and complete them for the day. Sometimes I get overwhelmed if there are too many and I don't get them checked off.
Hope it's goin well for ya!

[Robert Brown]

I think, you need to manage your time and you have to make more effort to do extra work.

[Robin Bull]

I work in 90 to 120 minute spans. Then, I take a break and do one or two things that need to be done. Thankfully, my husband is extremely supportive...and always has been. Your husband may not be supportive until you really start bringing in a good chunk of change. Then he will notice when you aren't bringing it in because you're busy doing other stuff related to home.

Eventually, you just learn to prioritize. Not everything has to be done all at once. The dishes can wait or you can delegate them to older children.

[crazycheewawa]

Wow! Lots of great advice here, so I'm chiming in to thank everyone for sharing. I work in spurts and from to-do lists, as there have mentioned. Hearing that i'm not the only one who does this makes me feel less scatter brained. I thought I was the only one who struggled with focusing on one thing for an extended period of time!
The only thing I will add is that managing a household is best done systematically, and that often involves participation for everyone. In my home, for example, everything must stay organized otherwise I'd lose my mind. So we put things away immediately after use. That includes dishes too - no piles of dirty dishes in the sink. If you use a dish, you rinse it and put it int he dishwasher immediately. When the dishwasher finishes it gets emptied immediately. If your home is more than one level, keep a hamper on each level for the laundry accumulated there. Little things that take a few moments at a time can really add up to keep your home clean and organized all the time. Once you get your household running smoothly, you'll be surprised at how little effort is required to keep everything in tip-top shape.

[Robin Bull]

I generally end up working in some capacity seven days per week. This morning I rolled out of bed at 5 am. Between household duties, the five year old, and work projects...it's been go, go, go. The good news is that I may finish with today's scheduled projects by about the time I need to take the tiny one to K.

[momshomefree]

Has anyone tried using one of those time management phone apps? If so, how did it work and which one?

[Marci Miller]

Originally Posted by momshomefree

Has anyone tried using one of those time management phone apps? If so, how did it work and which one?

I like Cozi, it is on the PC and the phones and it is so easy to get the whole family on the same page and can send reminders to everyone. There is even a family journal and shopping list etc that all can access, I find it incredibly useful especially if older children will plug in and use it.