I resist it. I hate feeling in bondage. I want to do it my way. Yet, no matter what I try the only way to stay on task is to plan, organize, and make lists (gasp!). The only way to maintain a home business and the business of being at home is a purposeful plan that incorporates flexibility. Do not mistake this as a strict routine but rather going along with the living flow of your home.
While getting ready for Christmas I grew frustrated with my husband and children living on that day as they normally would. I burst out and told them that I had a plan and it did not include a huge breakfast, potty accidents, and lost socks. My husband looked at me quizzically and asked, “Did your plan include living?” I was amazed. I could not believe the world was not going to stand still as I prepared the chocolate cake and wrapped the presents for company expecting to arrive in just a few short hours. Yet, children still needed breakfast, showers, and to get dressed. Even with my husband and children offering their help it seemed unreasonable to me that my plan would be altered. I was wrong. My plan was flawed. I had no buffer zone. My plan was tight and any small infraction would throw it off kilter and the world would end. I had to readjust and learn to plan with flexibility all while keeping in mind that breakfast is not omitted just because I had work to do.
When you plan and organize your home business you cannot leave out the business of home. Your home is full of life and life is unpredictable. Lacking a sense of humor and a buffer zone in your day will cause you undue stress and a few less hairs on your head. Do not forget that your home is living and will require care and maintenance from washing clothes to wiping little noses. On days that seem so oddly smooth and in tune with your inner peace that you are convinced you are in the Twilight Zone get a few more things done for work that day. This way when the day comes that punishes you for you smooth day you will be ready to fight back. Make a list for the day that is flexible and cross of item after item to feel the progress. Try to work your list to the advantage of both the business of home and the home business. Find odd times in the day to get a few things done for your business or for your home. You can fold laundry while on a conference call or make a quick business call after you call for a dentist appointment. Go with the flow in your planning and when planning fails. If you can count on one thing when it comes to home business it is that planning will fail you at some point. Have a back up plan and give yourself a break as the business of home is your business.