| The kids are headed back to school and it feels | | | | distribution and other tasks. The time saved is |
| like you should have a lot of extra time on your | | | | well worth the money spent. |
| hands. Why aren't you able to accomplish all that | | | | 4. Let the phone ring ? Customer service is one |
| needs to be done? Time management is a big | | | | of the most important parts of running a |
| struggle no matter what stage of life you're in. As | | | | home-based business. Being available for your |
| work at home moms, it is even more important | | | | customers and being willing to answer questions is |
| that we manage our time wisely. Below are five | | | | what will set you apart from the many other |
| tips on how you can accomplish more during the | | | | businesses out there. However, if you are |
| time the kids are in school. | | | | working to accomplish a task that is important to |
| 1. Set your priorities ? It's important to map out | | | | your business it may be necessary to allow the |
| not only what needs to be accomplished during | | | | phone to ring and the answering machine to |
| the time that you have allotted each day, but also | | | | handle some calls. I'm not suggesting that you |
| what things are most important. Make a list of | | | | ignore your customers, but that you use your |
| the tasks that need to be accomplished and then | | | | answering machine for what it is ? a message |
| rank them according to deadline, desire to | | | | service. By knowing who has called and what they |
| complete, etc. Keep in mind that the more you | | | | need, you can call your customers back when |
| can do while the kids are in school, the more time | | | | you have time to work with them without feeling |
| you'll have with them the rest of the day. If at all | | | | rushed. Also, by knowing what your customers |
| possible, make time with you spouse and children | | | | need before your speak with them you can |
| the center of your day and try to work around it. | | | | make preparations ahead of time, thus spending |
| 2. Schedule your time ? Now that you know what | | | | less time on the phone and saving both yourself |
| order your list needs to be accomplished in, take | | | | and customer time. |
| the time to write out a schedule of how and | | | | 5. Take a Break ? One of the biggest mistakes of |
| when you will complete each item. This will give | | | | work-at-home moms is to work too much. |
| you a tangible way to see your progress each | | | | Because we are building our own businesses we |
| day. Your schedule doesn't need to be set in | | | | feel that we will not succeed unless we're working |
| stone - it needs to be somewhat flexible so that | | | | ? or at least thinking about work twenty-four |
| it doesn't become burdensome. Having a plan of | | | | hours a day, seven days a week. This simply isn't |
| action will help you avoid distractions and | | | | true. Taking care of yourself is one of the best |
| accomplish more during the time you have | | | | things that you can do for your business. Focusing |
| available. | | | | on something other than your business can give |
| 3. Delegate ? Whenever possible, delegate tasks | | | | you clarity and help you avoid burn-out. |
| that can be accomplished by others. Have your | | | | Running a home-based business while your children |
| kids stuff envelopes, have hubby print out | | | | are in school is possible, but it does take efficiency |
| business cards for you, and if you have a virtual | | | | and organization. It's very important that you set |
| assistant (VA), allow them to do some of the | | | | your priorities and your schedule your time in a |
| online work or phone calls for you. The best thing | | | | way that is flexible and that allows you to get the |
| I've done for my business this last year is to hire | | | | most accomplished in the time that you have |
| a virtual assistant. She is fast, efficient and saves | | | | available. Don't get discouraged if it seems like |
| me a lot of time. I can be working with clients and | | | | you're not accomplishing much some days. Rest, |
| making sales while she handles my article | | | | go easy on yourself and do your best. |