Doing your "Homework"
My name is Joan Isabella, and I work at home. I made that decision so I could stay home with my son. My number one job is being a Mom, yet, working as part of a team and contributing to a larger goal is a big part of who I am. I set out to create my own "best of both worlds" by taking on clients who needed a little extra brain power on their projects and were willing to put up with someone whose priority was to be home with her child. So far, so good: My son is five and fabulous. My business is small and rewarding.
According to the statistics I’ve seen there are about 20 million of us working out of make-shift offices in the dining room, bedroom or fully equipped basements and offices. I read in Jeff and Rich’s blog that 53% of new businesses created this year will be based at home. At least in that big picture, we are not alone!
Working at home has both its advantages and its challenges. This blog is about sharing them. I look forward to learning about your triumphs and your obstacles. I hope we can help one another do it all better.
I’ll start.
A few weeks ago, I was listening on the StartupNation website to an interview with one of my heroes, Patrick Byrne, founder and president of Overstock.com. The first time he was on the radio show a couple of years back, I became a fan of his entrepreneurial spirit and of his online store. Half way through this interview, I drifted off and next thing I knew, four new kitchen stools were delivered to my house (they were a great deal). How I got from working to shopping involved only a few clicks and keywords. No mall; no car ride; no lunch-hour rush; no one watching.
If distraction could be considered an art form, I might be Edward Hopper.
I am an expert at wasting time. In college, my entire apartment building looked forward to midterms and finals because I cooked like a madwoman. I couldn’t go to concerts or parties because I had to study, but I had to eat. There was homemade cornbread, turkey with stuffing, brownies, and– during one particularly stressful semester– Coquille St. Jacques and a Black Forest Cake that took two days to make. I like to believe somehow all that chopping and stirring contributed to my GPA as well as my waistline.
I once read an article that said if you get distracted, maybe working at home isn’t for you. I say if you never get distracted, you’re not human. I’d like to announce that distraction makes you a better worker, but I think that might a stretch.
When you work at home, no one is watching–no one but you. I want to know if you struggle with an occasional lack of concentration. Maybe you consider it a constant battle like I do. How do you work when there are so many worthy distractions? Do you have rules? What strategies have you developed to get the job done? If you don’t mind taking a few minutes from your work, I’d love to hear from you.
May 8th, 2005 at 12:46 pm
Hi Joan Isabella, I’m Jonathan - a fellow StartupNation blogger. Nice to meet you, in a virtual sense.
I love Edward Hopper! I have a print of [i]Cape Cod Evening[/i] in my kitchen, where I’ve been doing a lot of the work for my new company. My work is so integrated into my life that there’s not much of a distinction, and distractions abound, for sure.
Some rules I stick by, which help me out:
- No instant messaging!
- Dedicated email times.
- Good email management. I run everything through my GMail accounts, but have some filters set up to check for certain urgent messages. These are sent to my Blackberry and given a special tone, so I know if there’s something to which I have to respond right away.
- Morning Routine: Check new newsletter subscribers, new customers/clients, and our webstats.
- Goals for the week, but no daily goals.
I’ll have to write about this last one on my blog when we get it launched.
Best,
JH
May 10th, 2005 at 4:14 pm
Hi Joan,
Great idea for a Blog!!
I am a Web Design Consultant working from home. I find there are two main difficulties with a home based business. Distractions are number one. And, a lack of human contact is number two.
Some distractions I plan. I use them as goals. For example, in order to make a personal phone call or take a walk, I must finish X, Y, and Z. The unplanned distractions are more difficult, but I do try to time them. I am in the habit of answering the phone and looking at the time. I put a mental ten minute time limit on the phone call if it is personal. I also refrain from looking at personal emails or turning on the television until my work is finished for the day.
I interact with people via the phone and email, but only occasionally have to meet with them in person. I find I miss having fellow workers. Venting and sharing ideas with others is built into a larger business. I miss it. Any suggestion on this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
DCW
May 10th, 2005 at 9:38 pm
Hi Joan,
I too have a 5 year old, an abundant assortment of committments, and mounds of distractions! I have found that quiet time (for me at least) occurs early in the morning or late at night. I do the bulk of my work before my daughter wakes up in the morning and/or after she goes to bed at night. A bit unconventional I know but it does keep the personal phone calls and emails to to minimum!
One distraction I have yet to conquer…desk clutter. I think I could make a job out of cleaning off my desk! I keep cleaning and the paperwork keeps coming back. Everything from printed emails for work to school craft projects appear on my desk daily. I keep thinking I’ll have time to figure out a method to keep my desk clean but it never seems to happen. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
October 4th, 2005 at 3:59 am
This is the first time for me to add any comments. However, I need to start somewhere. My husband, Adult Children and I have be working towards starting an employment agency that specializes in helping people to turn their lives around and become productive members of the community. We are open to advise from others who have started their own businesses. Thank You for your time.
December 1st, 2005 at 7:57 pm
I AM AN ASPIRING ENTREPRENEUR. I AM HIGHLY MOTIVATED. I AM IN NEED OF IDEAS OR HELP DEVELOPING THE IDEAS THAT I HAVE ON MY OWN. I WELCOME ANY ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE.THANK YOU. 3369868298. KISHA
December 4th, 2005 at 2:21 pm
hi
I am looking into building homes for the independent/ambulatory elderly.
I already have the land, got it subdivided, got a contractor and a builder.
I am looking for some help with the funding. Anyone got any ideas. I have spoken with "hud" and emailed some of the "angels".
Any help whatsoever would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you.
Christine
July 23rd, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Hi - I have just begun my journey of a home based business and just wanted to add a suggestion for the "desk-cluttered-parent-of-a-five-year-old". (How’s that for a moniker?)
I, too, am guilty of frequent desk clutter, and I am the only contributor! I find that when the desk gets too messy I can’t focus my thoughts - I’m a jewelry designer and much like any artist - a clean canvas inspires me.
So I make a point, once each week to restore the sanity to my desk - "stuff" goes back into drawers, pens into pen holders, tools back into caddies, paper into designated folders, tidy up stacks that [u]absolutely must [/u]be on the the desk and finally - I prioritize what’s left. It really only takes about 10 minutes - but then I have my sanity back (subjective, I know) and can roll up my sleeves and get back to work.
Good Luck All,
Sam
July 24th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
Hi Joan,
I started my business from home about 2 years ago…it’s been a thrilling and scarey journey. I too work from home and the biggest challenge is shifting your brain from entrepreneur mode to domestic mode.
Meaning, I’ll be in the middle of developing an an idea for a product or marketing tactic, when all of a sudden I’ve got to stop whad I’m doing to walk the dog.
A silly example, I know…but if a person does decide to work from home, he/she should keep in mind that there will be others around you who expect that you are in charge of all domestic issues; by the mere fact that you and your business are situated from your home.
Oooops got to go..the appliance guy is here to fix the oven.