4 Ways to Stay Focused While Working From Home

As the number of employees in remote and work-from-home positions continues to skyrocket, technology has stepped up to help freelancers and telecommuters stay focused. A 2015 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management found that half of employers who allow flexible work arrangements, 60 percent of those allow telecommuting. The percentage will continue to rise, according to Global Workplace Analytics, which reports ever-increasing numbers of those working from home at least part of the time.

Technological innovations make it easier than ever to work from home, but tools that help you stay focused and harness your willpower ensure your success. Here are four ways to marry technology with time management to keep you concentrated on the task at hand.

Wake up in the Right Frame of Mind

The tone of your work day begins when you wake up, so make sure it’s off to a positive start with an alarm you love. From having your favorite upbeat playlist from iTunes play to customizing a message in the voice of a loved one, apps allow you to rise and shine to what you want to hear.

Have a habit of pressing snooze? Look for an option within the alarm that disables the snooze button, or search for an alarm that forces you to solve a puzzle or math problem before it deactivates. You’ll be more likely to get out of bed now that you’re up.

Head to a Welcoming Home Office Environment

Working on a kitchen table that’s cluttered with dirty dishes diminishes a clear state of mind, and writing in a room that has a television playing decreases productivity. Designate a work-only space you’ll love getting to the grind in. Find a place that comfortably fits all the apparatus you need and one that features ergonomical furniture that prevents slouching.

Save space by using multifunctional tools, like an all-in-one printer, fax machine, scanner and copier that is easily transportable and works with your smartphone. A desktop organizer that includes USB charging also allows you to multitask and stay organized.

Turn off Distractions

Fear of missing out, or FOMO, is an emotionally draining cultural disorder that plagues more than 55 percent of those who use social media, reports Aeon magazine. To mitigate negative feelings about having to work instead of joining in on the fun your friends are having, use a smartphone with expandable memory, like the LG G4, to power your device with all the information you need. Then, set it to airplane mode, so you don’t receive disturbing notifications while you’re working.

There also are free distraction-blocking applications, such as the Freedom app, that allow you to choose websites you don’t want to see while it’s enabled. It also lets you plan freedom sessions in advance for a variety of devices.

Stay on Schedule

Never miss an appointment or phone call by using a reliable calendar application that syncs across all your devices. Customize reminder notifications so you stay on track, and use a virtual assistant to save time with administrative tasks that prevent you from accomplishing more meaningful assignments. Integrate cloud storage into your desktop and smartphone devices, so whatever you input while away is instantly available when you work from home.

Measure your task management by using a productivity app, such as Life Graphy. This app shows you your work habits and helps you discover better ways to use your time. You’ll become more efficient and improve your work-life balance.

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HireMyMom Success Story: Roxanne Doche

What’s your success story with HireMyMom?

I first started with HireMyMom as a recommendation from a friend back in 2009. We were trying for our second child and I really didn’t want to commit to a 9-5. Especially in my field, Marketing, since most jobs require long hours and a lot of traveling. I landed my first two consulting jobs within the first week. As it turned out, I did accept another full-time position, so I stopped consulting. Three years later, my older daughter was diagnosed with kidney cancer so I was forced to quit my job. We also had our third baby that year. Now that everyone is healthy and the youngest just started preschool, I decided to subscribe to HMM just to see what’s out there. I’m always so impressed by the amazing quality of people that post here. By the end of that week, I had interviewed with two companies that I completely fell in love with (both run by talented and successful moms) and they both hired me on the spot. It’s been four months and I’m still working with both of them, and I have picked up two more from HMM! And those moms have referred me to their friends and colleagues and I am now at the point where I have to turn down work. Considering the money that I would need to spend for full-time daycare for three, HMM is actually helping me earn more than I could in any office position, and I’m able to volunteer in my kids’ classrooms and attend every school performance … all while running the dishwasher and doing laundry. I owe this “dream” lifestyle to HMM!

What’s your educational and experiential background?

I majored in Communications at Northeastern University in Boston. I spent 15 years in various Marketing roles, most recently as a Marketing Director. I worked in Technology, Real Estate and Nonprofit. My emphasis is in online marketing, social media and copywriting/content management. I am also proficient in graphic design.

What is your top tip for landing a gig on HireMyMom?

Honestly, just be yourself. I am so honest in my cover letters. I personalize every single one of them and I tell the employer what I think I can offer their company. I am also very selective with which jobs that I apply to. I research the company to get a feel of the dynamic and the CEO. If I get a good vibe, I apply. Also, if you’re applying to a creative position (or even an admin job), build a website. It’s so easy to make a free web template on sites like Wix and Weebly. It helps the employer connect to you if you have a photo and a more in-depth bio available, as well as samples of your work. For non-creatives, LinkedIn works too!

What’s your favorite thing about HireMyMom?

Everything. I love how easy it is to apply for jobs. It’s so affordable and has an amazing community of employers. Even though I’m completely full right now, I won’t cancel my subscription. It’s reassuring to know that if I end up losing a client or two, I can easily rebuild my pipeline with just one click!

What’s one fun fact about you?

Graphic design started off as a hobby. I loved to edit and play with photos when I worked in analytical marketing for a major commercial real estate company. Occasionally, they would ask me to assist the creative team by adding a filter to a cover photo or importing stock photos into their brochures. That was so fun for me, so I started editing all of my personal photos. And then, I took a class, and eventually a few more. Now, graphic design is where I make the most money and it’s my absolute favorite part of the job!

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3 Key Personality Traits in Home Based Workers

Working from home takes a special personality, as you aren’t working within the normal confines of a traditional workplace. Although anyone can learn and adjust their strategy to be successful, certain innate traits will make a home based career much simpler.

 

The traits below are most suited for working from home, so if you see yourself in them, rest assured that you will likely be successful working from home. If not, you’ll know what to work on if a home based career is your ultimate goal.

 

Independent Self Starter

 

The ideal work from home employee is highly independent and not afraid to be a self starter. They are used to working by themselves, save for some phone calls, video chats, and emails between employees and clients.

 

Since you aren’t in an office, you’ll have to motivate yourself, and sometimes, without someone giving you direct feedback and orders, it can be tough to stay focused.  Independent self starters are very capable of handling these long stretches of alone time, and they can get work done while they do.  They aren’t hesitant to start work and often work ahead to make sure they stay productive and on task.

 

Organized

 

Those who work from home must be very organized. Organization in an office environment is also incredibly useful, but for home based work, it is crucial. First of all, it’s highly likely that you’ll be working with a variety of employers and/or clients, so keeping them straight and tasks complete is first and foremost.

 

Organization can be as simple as task and to do lists, or as complex as employing a third party system to keep things in place. The ideal home based worker knows that they’ll need to be organized, and they’ll likely already be working this way in a traditional setting.

 

Time Manager

 

Time management comes along with organization, but it’s a separate component all its own. You can be organized without having a good concept of time management and working from home requires both.

 

Organization is the process of keeping everything in order and completed, while time management ensures that everything is done in a reasonable time frame that still leaves you time to lead your life.


When you work from home, it can be easy to get caught up in distractions and other items in your house.  The TV, radio, and so on are much more easily accessible in a home office.  Time management is one task that you can’t take too seriously.  If you make it a priority, you’ll be able to work the same amount of hours as an office job, while in the comfort of your own home.

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Interview with Lesley Pyle, Founder of HireMyMom.com

Describe yourself in 3 words.

I had a hard time describing myself so I asked my husband and my 2 oldest children, ages 20 and 18, to help me and they said: Faithful, Selfless and Benevolent.

What’s your educational and experiential background?

I have a B.A. degree in Journalism / Public Relations from Texas State University. I also have a MSc. degree in Marketing / Public Relations from the University of Stirling in Scotland. I worked briefly for a golf school in Austin, Texas upon graduating with my Master’s. It was while working there that I became pregnant with my first child and gave up my job to start freelancing from home. It wasn’t long after that that I started the national association of Home-Based Working Moms (www.hbwm.com) in 1997 to help moms working at home network and support one another.

What led you to start HireMyMom?

After working with moms across the country for many years who wanted to work at home, I saw the acceptance of working from home grow in popularity. I knew there were thousands of talented moms who had or wanted to leave the workforce to work from home. I also knew many home businesses, entrepreneurs and small businesses were looking for talented professionals to help their businesses to grow but many did not need full-time or on-site employees. Hence the idea for HireMyMom.com. I already had a large following on HBWM.com which gave me an opportunity to offer another option for working at home.

Do you have any future vision(s) or ideas for HireMyMom?

I would love to capture more of the small / home business and freelance “mom professional” market. There are big name competitors out there but none specifically target these markets or have the personal touch that we offer.  As not only a Mom Professional but also a home business owner, I understand the needs of both sides. I am passionate about helping both sides find the best solution for their needs. I am looking to expand our market to help more of these moms and businesses.  

What’s your favorite thing about running HireMyMom?

Just like the moms who use the service, I love the freedom and flexibility working at home allows me. It means so much to be able to go have lunch with my 3rd grader or take the day off to spend with one of my college kids. I also love hearing of the success stories from those who have found the perfect job for them as well as those businesses who find a rock star to help their business flourish. It is very fulfilling!

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a school-aged child, I really had no idea what I wanted to do. No one in my family had ever attended college so it wasn’t really an option that I was offered or even considered. After losing my dad at age 13, I watched my mom struggle to work and support three kids on a very modest salary. I knew I wanted more but had no idea how to get there. After graduating high school, I worked for two years as a secretary before getting laid off in one of Houston’s oil busts. It was then that a friend encouraged me to start taking college classes at a local community college. Once I realized it was possible and that someone believed in me, the sky was the limit. I transferred to a state university and graduated at the top of my class and subsequently was awarded a full scholarship to get my master’s degree in Scotland. I had aspirations of being a very important [wink wink] corporate PR executive. I wanted an office in a tall building downtown where I could revel in the hustle and bustle of a high-paced career and a fast-paced city. But then….. things changed. I had my first child and somehow all of that became unappealing and unimportant. What I really wanted to do was work from home so that I could raise my children and care for and love them every step of the way. Working from home became the greatest career option I could ever dream of. Twenty years later, it still is!

What’s one fun fact about you?


I am an online missionary for Global Media Outreach (www.globalmediaoutreach.com) where I get to encourage, pray for and disciple people from all across the world including Africa, Asia, Iran, Iraq, Canada, Europe and more. We are able to reach people who may have no other way to hear the good news of Jesus and His amazing, powerful love for them.

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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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4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Working from Home

When most people think of working from home, it’s a positive thing. Especially when people don’t work from home, they really see the appeal and wish they could bring that situation into their lives.  Whether you’re still looking for your perfect work from home opportunity or you think you’d like to have one someday, it’s important to know if you and your lifestyle could handle it.

Before you make a big change such as working from home, make sure you’ve ironed out some of the important details of such a big transition.

Am I able to eliminate distractions?

Some of us simply don’t lead the lifestyle that will allow for eliminated distractions.  Whether you cannot get the childcare or your living situation doesn’t allow for it, you need to know if you would be able to work from home.

Ask yourself if your family and living situations fit into a work from home career. In some cases, it actually works out better when work is done outside of the home.  It truly depends on your individual situation, but it’s something you must consider before making the leap.

Am I motivated?

Working from home requires a lot of self-motivation and the completion of work without being directly managed, in most cases.

While it’s not a crime to lack that motivation, it’s incredibly important that you know if you’re capable of it or not. Some of us work much better in a structured environment, and actually thrive on the structure and office environment.

Am I able to provide the workspace?

Working home doesn’t necessarily require a separate room, but it’s very important to have a calm, spacious place to do your work. This can require a slight investment, some time, and the willingness to discover what works best for your comfort.

If you’re unable or unwilling to complete a setup that will make work comfortable and productive for you, working from home may not be the answer. In a traditional office, all of this is done for you, so taking on the telecommute position will require that you do this for yourself.

Am I okay without seeing co-workers daily?

Working from home doesn’t need to be an isolating experience, but it can feel that way for some.  Are you okay without seeing co-workers, bosses, and people in general for longer periods of time?

Of course, if you can get out of the house from time to time, that’s great, but you will still go longer stretches without seeing people. Again, some people love this idea, and it works out well for them. Others will balance working from home with social activities and networking opportunities.

No matter what you decide, make sure that you ask the tough questions before diving in.  Working from home is a wonderful concept and works for many, many people, but only you know if it’s best for you, your personality, and your unique situation.

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4 Tips for Work from Home Parents

There are numerous tips out there for those of us who work from home. While they are very helpful and well-meaning, it can initially be even more of a challenge if you’re a work from home parent.

If your children are in school all day or grown, this isn’t as much of a challenge, but it can be tough on your motivation and productivity if you have small children that you’re caring for all day. With a few simple steps and a good hold on boundaries, you can complete your work while keeping a healthy, happy household.

Find Help

If you know that you’ll often be on the phone or interacting with clients in your work from home job, it may be easier to find childcare for your kid(s).  Whether you hire a babysitter or arrange for grandma to keep the kids each afternoon, this will free up your time and space for a quiet call.

If possible, make this a routine to keep the kids and yourself on a positive, productive schedule. If your job is more flexible, you may be able to keep your kids most of the time, save for a very important monthly meeting, for example.  You’ll know which child care options work best for you, your family, and your career demands as you move forward.

Set the Rules

Especially when you have smaller children, setting boundaries and rules for the day is so important. Of course, if you plan to care for the kids alone while working from home, you’ll be interacting with them often during the day. While this is normal in this type of career setup, you’ll still need to let kids know when you need quiet time or you’re expecting an important call.

Boundaries and rules are also crucial with pets. They may not be able to understand your words, but you can establish routines that will encourage them to rest, be as quiet as possible, and allow you to work without a lot of noise or chaos. When the whole family is on board with what’s needed for you to get your job done, things move much more smoothly.  Voice your needs and concerns up front, establish a family routine, and stick to it as much as you can.

Leave the House

Leaving the house can be a good idea for you and your kids. If you’re feeling distracted or things have become crazy in the household, get out for an hour or two and mix up the environment. We all have off days, and when you have a flexible work from home job, you’re more likely able to get out when you need to.

If your kids are in the care of a babysitter or family member, getting out can still help your motivation and productivity as well.  Use your child-free time to complete more work and take any calls that may require complete quiet.

Be Flexible

Allow for the issues and distractions to pop up! Try as you might, there will still be days when the kids are sick or the dogs are barking uncontrollably on a conference call.  We’re all human and these things do happen! If you’re able to get in a good groove early on, those little hiccups won’t make as much of an impact on your overall productivity.  If you have an off day, simply complete more work in the evening or plan out the rest of your week to include a few more hours.  When we’re parents, it’s a delicate balance between routine and the unpredictable.  Do your best to go with what comes up and plan as you see fit.

(Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)

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4 Tips to Stay Motivated Working From Home

Staying motivated during the workday can be especially tough when your home is your office. When you go to an office, it’s a little bit easier to stay on task with the structure of your day, management presence, and the office environment itself.

Although it’s a challenge to create a routine that will work to provide motivation, it’s essential to complete your necessary tasks and stay focused. Here are some best practices on how to stay motivated when working from home.

Dress Up

When you work in an office, there’s no choice but to dress appropriately. Although home-based careers allow you the freedom of clothing choice, you’ll be much more motivated if you continue to dress for the office. You don’t have to go all out, but doing your hair, makeup, and wearing casual to business casual clothing can help.  Dressing in sweatpants is incredibly comfortable, but doesn’t always do much to keep us motivated.

Create a Schedule

Schedules are key, especially when you work from home! You really have to strive to keep your work life and home life separate, so scheduling your time, appointments, and tasks is crucial to success. Make a schedule at the beginning of the week, and continue to move items down the list if you don’t complete them on a certain day. When you see your week laid out, it removes the overwhelm and tells you exactly what you need to be doing.  It’s easier to keep the motivation going when you can charge through your schedule.

Give Yourself Time Off

Whether it’s a 10-minute break or a few days off, you need to relax and recharge. When motivation is seriously waning, it’s typically because we haven’t had enough time to unplug. Taking a few short breaks during the day should go without saying, but add them to your schedule anyway! It’s always fun to take a quick walk, grab a snack, or get some fresh air.  When you need more recharging, make sure you’re taking time off to relax or spend time with family. Especially when you work from home, it can start to feel like you spend all your time in your home environment.  Keep your health intact by scheduling the appropriate amount of time off from work.

Do Something Fun

If you’re feeling unmotivated or your weeks are starting to run together, mix up your routine a bit. Call a friend or colleague and meet up for lunch, or take some of your calls outside, if at all possible. When you can change just the slightest parts of your routine, it can remove the monotony and spike motivation quickly!

(Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)

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Gadgets for Working Moms On-the-Go

Times have changed for working moms. With the amount of technology available to helps moms juggle work, kids and the home, it all seems a little more doable. Whether you work from home, the office or both, check out these gadgets for moms on the go:

Smartphone

If you’re looking for a change or needing an upgrade on your current phone, the ZTE ZMAX works well for moms who toggle between work at home and the office. With a 5.7-inch HD display and 2 GB RAM for memory, you have both an easy-to-see monitor, which is great for video conferencing, and plenty of storage for filing digital work. It also comes equipped with a long lasting 3400 mAh high capacity battery so you can rely on this phone to last through long webinars or your kids’ recitals. Plus, through carriers like T-Mobile, the ZTE ZMAX is affordable for as little as $10.50 per month.

Smartwatch

One of the most cutting edge tech gadgets is the smartwatch. Because working moms usually need a third hand to get everything done, a smartwatch is the optimal tool because it’s hands free. For instance, Sony’s SmartWatch 3 SWR50 or Kronos’ ZeWatch2 offer communicative technology on the wrist. They can text, funnel calls and send social media messages from a phone connected through Bluetooth. Plus, any calendar and email notifications for upcoming meetings or checkups for baby will appear right on the watch face.

Bag Tracker

Between your work briefcase, baby bag, purse, luggage and other bags, it’s easy to lose track of things. Gadgets like Trakdot Luggage Tracker aim to prevent this problem. The Trakdot is a device you place in your bag, and when it reaches its destination the device wakes up and sends you a text or an email confirming where it’s located. Especially when traveling for work or with the kids, this device helps you stay organized and makes sure you don’t lose anything. Plus, it only uses two AA batteries and only costs $19.99 a year.

Attachable Photo Lens

Attachable camera lenses like the the Photojojo Lens Set are a trendy way to take photos. Whether you’re a travel writer, public relations officer, a buyer or a small business owner, a high-quality lens can come in handy. This set of lenses comes with a super fisheye, telephoto, wide angle/macro and polarizer so you have something for almost every situation. Pack these lenses in your purse to take from your product meeting to your child’s baseball game with ease. All you have to do is place the removable metal ring on the back of your phone, and then attach the lens magnetically. This makes for an easy transfer between lenses or an easy clean up. Plus, they come with a felted wool storage pouch, which keeps them safe next to your notebooks, wallet and keys.

Being a working professional and a mom can be hard when you constantly have to shift between your home and the office. Luckily, these gadgets for mom make it a little easier to get everything done.

Check out these other great articles about productivity / time management as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

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3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Working From Home

When a home-based worker tells someone that they work from home, they are instantly envious. They imagine days spent laying on the couch and working whenever it’s convenient. While working from home certainly has some excellent perks (flexibility, casual clothing and more time with family, to name a few), it is still work!

Read along and ask yourself the following three working from home questions before obtaining home-based work. It’s important that you understand and realize the changes that are about to take place before committing to a work from home position.

  1. Why Do I Want to Work From Home? It’s a misconception that working from home involves laying around in your pajamas and watching TV. Yes, you could do that, but you would get very little accomplished! Working from home is still work, and establishing why you want to do so is important. A home-based career can change your life in wonderful ways, but it can also be a shock if you aren’t prepared for the changes. Are you pursuing home-based work to have more time with your family? This is a great reason and one that will give you the motivation needed to succeed.
  2. Are My Skills Applicable To a Home-Based Position? If you’re a lab scientist, it might be tough to find a work from home job. It’s not impossible, and you can lend your skills to tutoring, technical writing, project-based work, and so on, but it’s not as easy as finding social media or editing work. Consider your background and industry before applying for home-based work, since jobs that often require you to be on site will not always translate into many work from home options.
  3. How Will This Change My Lifestyle? Working from home is a change! You will be home each day, which is both wonderful and challenging. You will be in your house, so it’s tough not to notice the things out of place or the rug that needs swept. When you work outside the home, those things are put aside till later. You will also notice that the errands and chores may fall more to you, and sometimes that is easier since you’re at home during the day. It’s important to know that home-based work provides a lot of flexibility, but it can also bring more work to your day. This can make scheduling a bigger challenge, and you’ll have to be extra diligent with your time.

Take these working from home questions to heart. While it’s a great experience, it’s also a major lifestyle adjustment that’s not for everyone.

Check out these other great articles about home-based business as a work from home professional. Also check out our home-based job descriptions and current job postings for mom professionals.

(Image courtesy of Master isolated images at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

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