How To Balance Life And Work
December 24, 2009
Balance between work and life is a very difficult but important balance. This becomes even more difficult when you are a mom that works at home.
For example, more and more people are turning to freelance work with the unstable condition of the economy. You are able to choose which projects you want to do and which ones are worth your time. If you go to an office, it is much easier to keep your work and home life separate.
Becoming A Workaholic
By working at home and being a freelancer, it becomes easy to overdo it without realizing it. Especially if you are the sole source of income, trying to pay all of the bills and maybe even be able to have a little extra spending money. At first you take all of the projects that you can get even if it means staying up much later at night then you intended.
You figure you can catch up on your sleep when the work slows down. You have to make the money while it’s there. The housework is the first task to slide; it can get caught up when you’re not so busy.
Then you might start waking up later, missing your alarm, getting the kids to school, and starting your day later so you have to stay up even later to catch up now. Sometime soon you should realize you might be doing too much.
Trying To Prioritize Your Work Day
Now that you know you have to change things, you find ways to make working at home, work for you. You have to force yourself to take breaks as if you were working at an office and actually take a day or two off and not do any work. You must learn to say no and not overbook yourself.
Only accept projects that you feel strongly about or that will be a good source of income. Try to focus on bigger projects that should pay more and then if you have any spare time, you can pick up a couple of smaller jobs for a little extra spending money.
Delegate Home Chores
So you have your work under control, but now you are staying up all night trying to do the housework. Ask for help! Talk to your significant other or older children that may be capable of helping out.
If you’re really bringing extra money in, consider hiring someone to help out once or twice a week. Think of it as sharing the wealth.
Extra money is always great but it isn’t worth that much if you’re not healthy or don’t have the time to spend it.
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