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October 12, 2015 0 Comments

4 Ways to Stay On Task Working From Home

 

Working from home can really free up a lot of time in your schedule and allow you more time with family.  It’s an unconventional method of working that has many benefits, but it’s still work – and work still needs to get done in your day.

 

Without the structure of an office environment, it can be more difficult to stay on task and keep productivity flowing. Although this can be a challenge to figure out at first, staying on task while working from home can be attained in a few simple steps.

 

Separate Your Space

 

We hear it time and time again, but having a separate work space is truly a big key in a less distracting home based career.

 

Set up a desk and workspace that allows you time to be quiet, work with limited distractions, and is comfortable. This also allows you to separate work from home life, which is another important part of staying on task when it is working hours.

 

Take Breaks

 

Breaks are an overlooked important part of our workdays.  When we don’t take breaks, we tend to veer off course and start surfing Facebook, Instagram, and Googling random items online.

 

Taking breaks gets your blood moving, rests your eyes from the computer screen, and gives you something to come back to with full attention.  Taking 5-minute walking breaks, getting some fresh air, or just going out in the yard with your dog can be the mental break you need to stay on task throughout the afternoon.

 

Remove Distractions

 

Distractions are the #1 issue with working from home and staying on task.  Whether TV or radio stations distract you, first you have to learn what gets you off track and remove them.  While some people can work just as effectively with the TV going in the background, others would find themselves watching a movie marathon in no time. Know what your distractions are and eliminate them!

 

While you can’t always have a child-free or pet-free home to work, you can schedule babysitters for important meetings or schedule the important stuff around nap times or play dates.  Staying on task requires a bit of effort in removing any distractions, but it’s worth it for the work that needs your undivided attention.

 

What’s Important?

 

Determine the most important tasks and do them first! When you work from home, and especially if you’re also responsible for childcare, your days can take different turns than expected.


When you complete the important items and check them off your list early in the day, you free up the rest of your time for variable time schedules and happenings.  Prioritize with a list, calendar alerts, or by scheduling meetings at times when you’re least likely to have a distraction or something come up.

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October 5, 2015 0 Comments

How to Take More Steps Working From Home

We all know how bad sitting is for our health. There have been numerous studies and anecdotes about the health risks and potential for disease from a lifetime of sitting. Hitting 10,000 steps per day is ideal, but even if you can add several thousand steps to your sedentary day, you’re helping your long term health in a major way.  

 

If you work from home, most of your time is likely spent seated – but don’t fear! We have compiled some actionable tips for you to get in those necessary steps while still working an office job.

 

Get a Fitbit

 

By now, you’ve probably seen and heard of fitness trackers. They’re worn on your wrist, and they’re able to track workouts, steps taken, calories burned, sleep schedules, and much more.

 

This is a great device for those who don’t want to use a cell phone pedometer all the time, which is helpful since they are small and not overly noticeable on your wrist.  It also allows you to be hands free!  It’s inspiring to set step and fitness goals via fitness trackers, and there are several options out there to suit everybody’s needs.

 

Click here for a comparison of some of the most popular brands and styles.

 

Keep it Simple

 

If a fitness tracker seems a little too intense, you can always go the old school way – a simple pedometer.  These will run you approximately $5-15, and they clip on your clothing.  This is a great option for the home based worker, since you’re likely not seeing many people throughout the day, nor do you have to wear fancy clothing.

 

Pedometers can be set to work with your age, weight, stride, and more, making them a handy fitness tool that’s just a bit less high tech than a fitness tracker.

 

Dance

 

Dancing is just as good for getting in those steps! Along those same lines, any 5-minute and 10-minute workouts you can fit into your day, the better. You can turn on your favorite radio station or create short playlists for your walk (or dance) breaks.

 

Anything that gets you moving will contribute to your overall health and increase those steps, which is the ultimate goal.  If you go this method without counting steps, take a few 5-minute breaks per day to keep the momentum.

 

Walking Workouts

 

There are several walking workouts available on YouTube and for purchase at sites like Amazon.com.  You can walk any distance from approximately 1-5 miles, taking 15-minutes per mile. This is a great option in the winter, or if you’re not able to walk outside in a desireable area.

 

Try to fit in a walking workout or two just to increase those steps as a follow-along option.

 

Get Outside

 

The best option would be to get outside for your daily steps! If you can take a short walk on your lunch break, that’s an ideal time to rest your mind and invigorate your body.

 

Your walks don’t need to be fancy or even incredibly quick, simply aim for a set period of time (or a set number of steps) and stay consistent!

The key to meeting your step requirement and staying healthy is to keep moving.  Take breaks throughout your day to dance, move, or walk – all excellent ways to fit in your steps and keep your body healthy.

 

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September 28, 2015 0 Comments

4 Ways to Find Legitimate Work From Home Jobs

 

Many people want to work from home, but it can be difficult to find legitimate home based careers.  While there are several positions available, most sound too good to be true – and they may be.

 

Besides doing your research to ensure that your job and the company you work for are legitimate, there are some other ways to sort through the noise of less-than-ideal work from home jobs.

 

Set Alerts

 

Alert services such as Google Alerts allow you to set notifications via email on certain topics.  If you set an alert for “work from home position,” you will get periodic emails when a phrase matching this description appears in any online news.

 

While this may not seem like an ideal method, it can help you to find home based careers that are advertising in non-traditional ways.  It can also alert you to work from home job sites, which are great starting points for your home based search.

 

Be Specific

 

The best way to get a legitimate home based career is to look on specific job boards and sites that specialize in this niche. Sites such as HireMyMom.com only post legitimate jobs, and even eliminate any MLM and network marketing positions as well.

 

While all work from home niche sites and boards may not screen, they are a starting point.  It’s less than likely that you’ll find many legitimate work from home jobs on general job sites such as Monster, Indeed, and so on.

 

Use LinkedIn

 

LinkedIn can be helpful in any job search, but especially for virtual jobs.  When you search at the top of the homepage, you can type in phrases such as “social media telecommute” and find a wide variety of virtual positions available.

 

Since LinkedIn requires a substantial job posting fee, the jobs are more likely to be legitimate.

 

Always Network

 

Networking is and will always be your #1 source for job leads.  When you tell your contacts and networking colleagues that you’re in the market for a home based job, they’ll keep their ears open.  Also, many companies, small businesses, and entrepreneurs need administrative, social media, and other home based jobs completed, so you may just be in the right place at the right time.  It’s always best (and easiest) to consult your network first and foremost!

Overall, always do your own due diligence when seeking a work from home career.  Even the most legitimate sounding jobs can turn out to be duds, but asking the right questions to ask in the interview can help.  If you do this, and only accept jobs that have tasks and companies that you feel are appropriate, you’ll be well on your way to a legitimate home based career.

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September 21, 2015 0 Comments

3 Must-Haves For Your Home Office

 

 

When you work from home, most of your time is spent working from your home office.  While design is important for mood and functionality, there are a few key elements that are necessary to keep your body healthy and supported.

 

Office equipment that allows you to work in a way that’s healthier (coupled with frequent breaks!) allows you to be more comfortable and productive.  We all know that constant sitting is bad for our health, so these items aim to keep your body in alignment as much as possible beyond standing.

 

Comfortable Chair

 

A comfortable chair isn’t just important for the obvious reasons – it has health benefits. Choosing a chair that allows your weight to be distributed evenly, provides lumbar support, and fits your body is key.

 

If possible, go to the store to choose your chair to see what works best for you. If you’re unable to find something suitable in the area, there are numerous sites online that cater to (and provide excellent search results) for supportive chairs.

 

Click here for example purchase links and support information:

 

Lumbar Supportive Chairs via Amazon.com

 

Office Chair Back Support

 

Relax the Back Chairs and Support Products

 

Overstock Lumbar Support Office Chairs

 

Good Lighting

 

Straining to look at your screen or office supplies is truly awful for your eye health. Spend a bit extra on good lighting in your office, as well as additional office lamps that will keep the light close to your work station.

 

Also remember to choose lighting that isn’t harsh – it can cause headaches and anxiety if you’re working long hours. Choose warm, soft lighting – but enough that it illuminates your workspace and eliminates strain.

 

Here is some additional information on eye strain and how to prevent the effects.

 

Ergonomic Desk

 

Just as a supportive chair is important, so is your desk. Your eyes should be level with your computer screen so you’re not cranking your neck or looking down.  If you do these things, it can truly cause long term postural and musculoskeletal issues.

 

Ergonomic, height-adjustable desks allow you to set what you need and work in a supportive way.  In general, it’s important to invest some money up front in making your office healthy and happy for you.  While it’s fun to plan the visual side of your home office, spend the bulk of your investment on the items that will keep you feeling great. Here are some more general tips on creating such a workspace.

 

Click here for links to Ergonomic Desks:

 

Wayfair Ergonomic Desks

 

Costco Height-Adjustable Desks

 

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September 14, 2015 0 Comments

How to Choose the Right Job

 

In a time where it can be tough to find a job, it can seem strange to read tips on choosing the right job – but it’s crucial!

 

Especially on sites such as HireMyMom.com, there are various freelance, part-time and full-time positions that can be part of your career.  It’s often a challenge to determine which jobs are worth your time. Choosing between the right ones can be a difficult decision, but one that’s worth the extra time and effort to make.  Read below for some tips that will make your decision easier.

 

What’s the setup?

 

If you’re looking for home based jobs, flexibility and virtual positions are a must. Some jobs on telecommuting job sites aren’t 100% virtual, so make sure that this is discussed in your interview.

 

If you’re okay with going into an office once in awhile, that’s fine! But know this and mention it ahead of time. Even if the job is fully virtual, it’s still important to note the amount of flexibility you’ll have in the position. Do you have to work set hours or can you work whenever you’re available?  These are all important things to know before accepting a position.

What’s my daily life?

 

What will you really be doing in your daily life? If a position has a title that sounds great, but the description seems more like tasks you don’t want to be doing, make sure you get this information.

 

Make sure that the positions you’re applying for (and possibly accepting) match your needs, qualifications, and experience. If you’re looking to advance and challenge yourself, it’s not doing you any favors to accept positions that consist of tasks that won’t allow for that.

 

What’s the culture?

 

It’s always important to know the company culture and what it’s like. Even if you’re not going to be working with the in person team, or the team is 100% virtual, company culture is still very much a thing.

 

Is it casual? Is your boss strict or are you free to complete your work whenever? Do you meet up from time to time?  Is that important to you?

 

Overall, it comes down to really knowing what you want, as well as asking good questions in the interview and before accepting a position.  A job position is not just there for you to be impressive; the job also has to impress you, suit your needs and career aspirations!

 

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September 14, 2015 0 Comments

How Cloud Technology Makes Growing Your Home Business Easier

Last year, 23 percent of employed U.S. workers did some or all of their work from home, representing nearly one quarter of the American population, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About one in four remote workers are female, a Flex+Strategy Group survey found, and approximately the same percentage of women say they get most of their work done from home.

Meanwhile, more women than ever are starting their own businesses, with the number of female-owned firms increasing 68 percent since 2007, according to an American Express OPEN report. Taken together, these two trends help explain the growing number of moms who work at home.

A third factor fueling this trend is the cloud, which makes it easier than ever for moms to earn money from the comfort and privacy of their homes. If you’re working from home or running a home-based business, adopting cloud-based technologies can increase your efficiency and reduce your stress while saving you money.

Mobility and Flexibility

One way the cloud empowers your business is letting you move your office anywhere, says Luke Connoley of workplace innovation provider Unwork. In the days of desktops, a business computer had to reside at a single location in the workplace or in a home office, physically connected to the local network. With the cloud, you can work from anywhere you can bring a mobile device. You now have the flexibility of working from your home office, your living room, your dining room table, the local coffee shop or even the park where your kids play. You can work from anywhere and on any schedule that fits your needs.

Collaboration

The cloud’s mobile flexibility also makes it easier for you to collaborate remotely with other members of your team, no matter where they are. Instead of you having to share software on an office computer network in a single physical location, now any of your team members with a mobile device can access your company’s network and software services from anywhere in the world. For instance, Google Docs provides you with a full range of cloud-based business communication and collaboration tools, including email, video conferencing, calendar scheduling, document creation, file sharing and online storage.

Backup

The cloud provides small home-based businesses with superior backup services. Cloud backup services such as Mozy let you schedule periodic automatic backups, so you don’t have to worry about losing important files. You can also sync your backup to cover all of your devices and ensure that the latest versions of your files are always available throughout your network.

Global Customer Reach

The cloud lets you expand your company’s outreach beyond local prospects and customers to reach and interact with people anywhere in the world. For instance, in 2014, the country with the most Facebook users after the United States was India, followed by Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and the United Kingdom. By using Facebook as a cloud marketing platform, you can efficiently promote your product or service to customers in any of these countries. The same applies to other popular social media sites that reside in the cloud, such as YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest.
Cloud tools, such as the Amazon Web Services platform, also let you deliver digital products, such as infoproducts, e-books, webinars and apps, to customers in any location. And when you need to field customer service inquiries, you can interact with your customers using cloud contact centers, live chat and Skype.

Cost

The bottom-line advantage of the cloud for home-based businesses is that it makes enterprise-quality hosting, software and data services affordable. Instead of paying premium prices for hardware equipment and software licenses, the cloud provides you with computer services scaled to your budget. For instance, for $5 a month, a small business can have its own virtual cloud server. For $5 per user per month, small businesses can use Office 365. For less than $120 a year, users can store 1 TB of data on Google Drive, or they can use Amazon Cloud Drive Unlimited for about $60 a year.

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September 4, 2015 0 Comments

How to Separate Work From Home in a Home-Based Job

When you have a home based career, work and home life can start to feel like the same thing. While it’s a huge benefit to work from home, some separation is not only healthy, but necessary.

 

We all know that taking breaks and switching up your environment can be important, but there are some other small shifts you can make to make your work from home career truly feel more like a traditional office job – without the commute!

 

Mark it down

 

Do something work related to mark the end of your day.  Whether you close all work-related browsers, set your autoresponder on your email, or simply close your laptop, make sure that your work day truly ends.

 

Another trip to help with this it to set up your schedule for the next day or week.  This is very helpful mentally, since you’re looking forward and acknowledging that your work for the day is complete.  You’re giving your brain a break – a mental break and sign that you can rest and enjoy your home time.

 

Shift into something new

 

Just as you did something in the aforementioned tip to signify the end of your work day, start something non work-related when you’re finished for the day.

 

It can be as simple as starting dinner, taking a walk, or sitting outside with your family, but this physical break is also important in getting you into “home mode” when work is done.

 

Set office hours

 

Just as you have work hours in an office job, you should set similar hours at home.  While some jobs require unconventional hours, and it is nice to have the flexibility to work anytime for certain positions, setting hours keeps you from working endlessly.

 

Even if your hours are more 11-7 than 9-5, that’s just fine – stick to them as much as possible.  It’s important to choose hours that work best for you, your family, and your lifestyle.

 

If you must, log some time outside of office hours once in a while, but stick to it as a general rule. Everyone is much more mobile since we have smartphones and laptops, but those in a traditional job typically do get more “down time” when they go home for the evening; you need to enjoy this time too, so do your best to keep work to your set office hours.

 

Set up the environment

 

Make sure your environment feels like an office. It’s tempting to lay on the couch to work, but you won’t be nearly as productive, and it can feel more like a sick day than work.

 

Set up your peaceful, well-lit home office for a truly productive experience that feels like going to work.  You still get all the benefits of a home based career – no commute, more time with friends and family, and flexibility.

 

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August 31, 2015 0 Comments

5 Top Productivity Tips for Work From Home Employees

Productivity comes down to a number of things when working from home – organization, use of space, and the ability to take a break from your surroundings.

 

It’s important to utilize all three tactics when you’re trying to be more productive, especially if you work from home. Since you’re lacking the accountability of an office environment, which can certainly assist in getting things done, it’s important to put your own systems in place.

 

Stretch

 

Productivity isn’t all work related! Stretching, moving, and walking throughout your day is key to physical and mental health, which makes you more productive in the long run.

 

Set a timer or alert on your phone to get up and stretch. Even if it’s just for 2-5 minutes, it’s enough to refresh your mind, bumping up productivity for the rest of the day.  Set intervals to make this a regular occurrence in your day.

 

Get out

 

Productivity stalls when we stay at home for too long. It just becomes redundant to look at the same few walls and workspace. In an office, you have the changes among your co-workers and employees, but at home, there’s not much difference in the day to day.

 

If you’re able to do so, get out of the house a few days per week.  Whether it’s during business hours to work at a coffee shop, or in the evening at a networking event or with friends, it’s crucial to your productivity and sanity!  Make a few plans during the week, even if it’s just to work in a coffee shop for a couple hours per day.

 

Take the time

 

Do your best to set up a proper environment that will allow you to be productive.  If you’re constantly looking at a messy house, or sitting in an uncomfortable chair, you’re not focusing on what matters – your work.

 

For a few dollars and some time, you can set up a warm, comfortable workspace that allows you to focus on your daily tasks, not that uncomfortable setup. In the evenings, make sure that your space is clean and comfortable for the next day as well.

 

Communicate

 

If you work with other employees or just one boss, make sure you’re communicating.  Even if you have to send out a daily email asking for feedback or a check in, communication keeps things on track.

 

Productivity can stall when you’re waiting on a co-worker to complete a task, or if you’re waiting for approval from your boss.  Do your part by communicating and staying in the loop as much as possible.

 

Set a schedule


It all comes back to scheduling, and there’s a good reason for this.  Schedules keep things orderly as well as productive. Choose one day per week that becomes your “scheduling day” and keep to it. It doesn’t need to take more than 15-20 minutes, but set out your goals and tasks for the week.  As a bonus, it feels great to be productive and check those items off of a list during the week!

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August 28, 2015 0 Comments

Enter to Win a Free Personalized Resume!

Moms, do you need some help with your resume? Your resume is your first impression for potential employers! 

Whether it needs fixing up or a total makeover, Brand Red Resume can help! We’re partnering with Brand Red Resume, a resume creation and editing service, to giveaway a free personalized resume to one of our moms!

Want to enter to win a new resume? Simply click to enter here and follow the rules.

Winner to be announced via email on September 22! In the meantime, follow @BrandRedResume on Twitter.

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August 24, 2015 0 Comments

4 Steps to Stop Disorganization

Disorganization is a top killer of productivity and time, but it can also bring you more stress than necessary.

We all get off track from time to time, but setting up a system of organization is a large part of working from home.  Since working from home requires a lot of self discipline and independent work, it’s important that organization be at the front of your home based toolkit.  Here are some tips and tricks to keep organization at the forefront of your business.

 

Make a decision

If disorganization is an issue that’s hindering your work progress, start by making a decision to be more organized.  It does take some effort in the beginning, and it will absolutely go against what you’ve been doing.

Know why you want to be organized – are you falling behind in work?  Missing deadlines? Spending too many hours finding items that should be right in front of you? Knowing the reasons makes it easier to clear them in the future.

 

Do it daily

Choose an item of organization to complete daily, especially in the beginning of your journey. To create a habit, 21 days of repeated effort must be given. Even if you make a habit to clear off your desktop, color code your files, or decide on an online organization system, make it a mission to do one substantial organization task daily.

 

Declutter your mind

Organization is not just important for the practical reasons of efficiency and productivity; it can also affect your mind and stress levels.

Consider what goes on in your head when all of your tasks, files and work items are lost, disorganized, or not easily accessible. You spend a lot of time, energy and mental power focusing on these things.

Yes, decluttering your mind comes from establishing better habits and systems, but it’s also important to diffuse your stress and workday with other tasks – throw in a load of laundry if you get a minute, take a few minutes to walk outside, or simply relax with some tea.  During the physical decluttering process, be sure to declutter and nurture your mind as well.

Create a system

A system of organization is your best defense against unexpected delays and missed days of work. Whether you use a task organization program such as Trello or Basecamp, or simply input your information into Google Docs or a Word document, it’s important to get it down on paper.

 

A system can be as simple as laying out each day according to task, employer, time frame, etc. It’s best to go with something that makes sense to you so you will continue.  Color coding can be helpful, as can sharing tasks and completed items with team members.


Once your preferred system has been established, it’s up to you to keep repeating it.  Make tweaks as necessary, but get into the habit of doing things on a daily, weekly, and task-based basis. Whatever works best for you will stick in the long run!

 

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