Are you planning on working from home? Are you finding it challenging to complete tasks without being distracted? Is time management a challenge for you?

When I started working from home with my internet marketing business, I found it easy to get distracted and lose my focus. I am disclosing some of my best tips, so that you can learn from my mistakes-which brings me to tip #1!

1. Leverage your time by finding a mentor – The easiest way to get good at something is to find somebody who is good at it and copy them. There are many ways to find a mentor. One is by searching online for your business and see who comes up. Read recommendations and download free offers from their site to see who might be the best fit. Check out people who have written good articles about working from home.

Another way is to ask friends who are in the same or related business. If they are very successful, take them out to lunch and ask questions. Most successful people truly enjoy mentoring others, so don’t be afraid to ask.

2. Make a schedule and stick to it – When you worked for a boss, did you have certain hours that you had to be at work? Did you have certain tasks that you needed to accomplish? Now that YOU are your boss, create your own hours and tasks and treat your business like a business!

3. Cut out distractions – Are you distracted by email and social networks when working from home? So was I and I still am if I don’t take steps to avoid it. When I first boot up my email for the day, I delete everything that is not related to what I am doing. This includes offers for the next shiny object and the next magic software. Today, when I booted up my gmail account, I deleted 111 emails and kept 4. If I can’t see it, it can’t distract me.

4. Set a timer – Set a timer for 25 minutes and work with intensity. When the timer goes off, take a 5 minute break and begin all over again. This creates an artificial deadline and it really works. I use a clever little iPhone app called “Pomodoroplus”. It basically is a timer that shows me how much time I have left for my task and how many tasks (called “Pomodoros”) I have accomplished for the day. Currently, I have 5 minutes to go while writing this article so I know that I have to keep focused.

5. Don’t answer the phone – When you were working for a boss, you were probably asked to not take personal calls. Your family and friends have to be trained to understand that this is a business like any other, even though you are working from home. Even a quick phone call will lead to distraction, so turn your phone off while you are working.

Well, I have 75 seconds left and have managed to write an article from start to finish in my 25 minute period. Try these tips and you will be accomplishing more that you ever thought possible while working from home.

If you work at home it’s not hard to get distracted. Friends and family stop by because after all, you are “home all day”. Spouses may demand YOU do all the house work because again, why not? You are “home all day” to do it.

Then of course there are the distractions of your children. Not always bad distraction, but still something that takes you away from your business.

A normal day may go something like this: Answer personal emails, grab the children breakfast, talk to someone on Instant Messenger or someone that called, do a little house work, get the kids lunch, break up a fight or tend to the children more, talk to others that call or instant message you, start supper. Where did the day go? Why didn’t you get to work on your business today?

Here’s a few tips to keep you from getting distracted:

• Separate Business & Family – Let your children know you have work to do during certain hours, and DO NOT feel guilty about it. You work at HOME and being in the same house with them at all times is a huge deal. Should an emergency arise, you are right there for them. Summer can be difficult to work around, but once school starts it becomes easier to work in the day with the older children in school,
• Turn off Instant Messenger – Or at least go invisible during your work hours. If someone likes to just chat, they won’t even know you are online if you are “hiding”. When your work hours are over, you can turn it back on again. If you get any personal phone calls, quickly set up a time to visit in person outside of your work hours. Make plans to go out so you can get them off the phone and get back to work.
• Business Email First – Either let your personal email sit, or set up a separate email account for your business. Don’t even think about checking that personal email until after work hours.
• Set Weekly Goals – Have clear cut goals and tasks you know you want to get done within a specific amount of time. If you have a list you are more likely to keep on track and not fumble around with non-productive tasks.
• Share the Housework – If your spouse doesn’t take you seriously, it might be time to sit down for a talk. Let them know you work too, just in a different industry. Show them the business hours you have set, and housework will not get attended to within these hours. Get him involved in certain tasks. If you share the income, you share the housework!

Hopefully these tips will prevent you from getting distracted, and increase your income over a period of time.

About the Authors: Kara Kelso & Anita DeFrank are two busy wahms, and the owners of Direct Sales Helpers. For free direct sales tips, visit: www.DirectSalesHelpers.com/newsletter.html

Conserve Time And Precious Resources

Time is a crucial element in the lives of the leaders. Setting schedules when it comes to meetings, tasks, deadlines and other responsibilities need careful time management. Efficient time management is a common difficulty among leaders, and this is one thing that has to be dealt with accordingly. One of the major pitfalls of good leadership is inefficient time management. Not rectified and addressed, poor time management can lead to leadership and organizational failure.

“Time is gold” as the saying goes. Ignoring this fact results not only to wasted time but a waste of precious resources for the organization, too. Good leaders see to it that they utilize time to their full advantage as well as to the organization. Spending too much time on one thing is not a good idea, when in fact they could have done several tasks over the period already. There ought to be no time wasted on playing the blame game or avoiding responsibilities. The goal is to progress and really accomplish something, not run around in circles.

Day One Ready For Time Management

On day one itself, a good leader is ready to assume the position and get on with the responsibilities. From the beginning, he/she is equipped with motivation, determination and commitment. Many short term leaders have their time wasted because they didn’t start their first day with a clear vision and direction. A good leader does not let time pass without doing something worthwhile.

Good leadership refuses to be hampered or hindered by unforeseen events. Thus, they are prepared for greater challenges and anticipate the possibilities along the way. Even in times of faltering, they are productive because they choose to learn and harness their strength. They don’t let precious time go to waste by despairing. Time lost is never found, so make the most of your time. Successful leadership always depends on successful management of time. A leader that is ready and has everything carefully can accomplish a lot with their time and bringing in more productivity and returns. A person may have all the qualities of a great leader but if they time management skills, failure is the likely upshot.

Excellent leadership and leadership that makes a difference is not possible if a leader is not willing to go the extra mile. Endeavoring more and exerting more effort does not only apply in the aspect of managing and leading people, but also in handling time.

In today’s society many women feel totally overwhelmed by the demands made on them. Work and family balance can seem like a constant battle.

So what is your definition of work life balance? Working out your priorities and deciding what really matters is the most important thing. Sometimes simple changes are all that is required.

1. Family. My daughter, now an adult, still fondly recalls the times we spent baking cakes in our kitchen. I still remember the pride in her face as she burst through the kitchen door to show her daddy the finished cakes with the pink icing.

I doubt very much if she has any memory at all of how often the oven was cleaned. The oven would have to be cleaned at some point but this task held no importance in her eyes.

Family time should be guarded carefully. Children in particular need to know the time you spend with them is not grudged or rushed with one eye constantly on the clock.

2. Work. There is no doubt some people have little control over their working life and many are wary of “rocking the boat” for fear they may lose their jobs. A good employer will respect work and family balance and it is worth remembering they have a responsibility for your wellbeing.

If you are working very long hours and feel stressed or unhappy, you should talk to your employer. It may be possible to reduce or change your hours. Flexible working is the best way to endorse work life balancing.

Working for yourself from home can be the answer for some as it offers the flexibility to work round family commitments and allows you to gain some control over how much work you do and when.

3. Being Organized. Knowing your priorities and planning your time will help you stay in control. Recognizing that one person can not do everything is key. If you have a partner it is time to divide up the workload. Sitting down and discussing things such as who does the household chores, takes kids to activities etc. all make a difference.

Work and family balance is about allowing time for yourself. Being organized will allow you some guilt free time out. It is very important to look after yourself and find ways to relax. For some it is having a night out with your partner or friends. For others swimming or simply relaxing in a bath makes them feel good.

In the end the benefits of balancing life and work are immeasurable. For the employer there is an increased commitment, productivity, retention, higher morale and less absenteeism. For the individual the feeling of being in control and valued, better relationships both in and out of work and a happier healthier life.

Sales MOMS Sponsor

With the holidays fast approaching, thoughts turn to work-life balance more so than any other time of year. If you are like many of us, you must keep up with your work responsibilities while fitting much more into your personal life. This can get crazy stressful if you let it. Whether you are a work at home mom, business owner, or employee, here are some tips for avoiding or reducing stress this holiday season.

1. Accept that life is an eternal work in progress.
It is not supposed to be all done. This goes for life in general, but especially around the holidays. Let go of perfectionism and the need to do everything on your lists. Each day, take a breather to reflect on your accomplishments and feel proud.

2. Know when you have done enough.
Many of us are overachievers when it comes to holiday preparation, household chores, work responsibilities, or all three. Ease up on yourself this year and use the added time to celebrate or relax. Working two hours late at the office is not REALLY necessary; family and friends will do fine with smaller tins of fresh-baked cookies; it’s OK if your floors are less than pristine.

3. Share the workload.
Rethink your tendency to do everything for everyone. Be creative in thinking how routine tasks can be completed differently. The drudgery of housework can become quality family time, for example. A woman recently shared how proud her son was to do his first load of laundry, start to finish.

4. Understand what activities are important to you.
December can become so crowded with activities it is easy to become overwhelmed. The solution is to prioritize according to what’s important to YOU. If seeing your daughter’s school play is what matters most on a particular day, then put that ahead of all else. Most other responsibilities can wait until another day.

5. Focus on gratitude.
Instead of obsessing over what needs to be done, be grateful for what you already have. When you consciously express positive and emotional appreciation, you attract more feelings of contentment and peacefulness. This will create positive change in both your personal and work life.

6. Consciously direct your reactions.
Happiness is a choice. Finding the positive–delight, excitement, and contentment–in everything you do will change the outcome of each day. Work tasks, for example, will go by quicker and you will be in a more lighthearted mood afterward.

7. Organize your whole life with a women’s planner.
Buy a planner that includes all critical aspects of your life: fitness and nutrition, wellness, healthy finances, and fulfilling your personal passion are all critical to your complete happiness. By using a day planner that recognizes this need, you will be better equipped to live each day to its fullest, even through the hustle and bustle of December!

Bobette Kyle is cofounder of Lifestyle Inspirations LLC, where the company’s day planner for women, MY LIFE MATTERS, guides women on the journey toward empowerment by turning goals and dreams into action. Get this month’s planner pages for no charge at: http://www.womansplanner.com/free-month

Have you noticed how direct sellers seem to take a "holimonth" instead of a holiday every December? It’s like they neatly put their direct sales business on the shelf for most of the month of December (or at least from the 15th on) and hope against hope that it will be there, strong as ever, waiting for them come January 2nd when the world starts to turn again. Unfortunately, it’s often more the case that their neglected business has withered and is in dire need of resuscitation come January.

It’s important to make sure you’re booking yourself solid for January in November and early December, but once you’ve done that, do you have any options besides just taking two weeks off at the end of December? Absolutely!

Remember all those business activities you’ve been saying you didn’t have time for all year (like personal development, follow up calls, and planning)? Well, now you’ve got two weeks spread out in front of you like a gift. Grab it and rip it open!

Here are just a few ideas for how you might spend your work hours over the next few weeks.

I’ll start with some ideas for direct sales leaders (and just FYI, if you’re a leader, this is a great opportunity to get yourself and your team set up for success in 2012!)

• Plan all of your meetings for 2012. You can even include your direct sales team or down line leaders if you have them in your planning time. Throw a small party, put some cookies and coffee out, and have fun! You’ll be surprised at how quickly this task will go when you’re brainstorming with others.
• Take 1/2 day and call all of your down line leaders and direct down line to check in and learn how you can support them with their goals for 2011.
• Make a recording for your entire team giving them ideas for how to succeed in the new year. Here are some ideas for what you might share with them:
  • Some fun ideas for theme shows in the coming month, complete with a themed invitation e-mailed to them
  • An overview of the host bonuses for the following month
  • A quick recognition of those on her team who are new consultants
  • A booking incentive (like a drawing for a great item from your line)

If you’re not yet a leader, here are some great ideas for using your time at the end of December:

• Call all of your September, October, November and December home party guests and make sure they’re happy with their products. Come armed with some great reasons to host a party in January and make it your goal to book at least three parties.
• Commit to listen to/read at least one training program related to your business and write down at least three ideas you want to implement based on that training.
• Set up and launch a "Host of the Month" club. Here’s a simple format:

o 12 participants are required, 1 Hostess for each month of the year.
o Each hostess is required to place a minimum order of $30 each month.
o Each member will have one month assigned to her as Hostess of the Month at the beginning of the year.
o The Hostess of the Month will receive ALL Hostess rewards for her month.
o If the Hostess of the Month decides to have a personal Home Party in her month, she will have the Monthly Hostess Club funds applied to her party! She begins with at least $360.00 worth of orders, thereby increasing her Home Party sales & Hostess Rewards!

There are just a few ideas. Most importantly, make sure whatever you’re doing, you’re doing something! Taking two full weeks off at any time the the year just isn’t healthy for a thriving direct sales business. You owe it to yourself to at least work part time during the last two weeks of December so that you have a business to come back to in January.

Julie Anne Jones is direct sales corporate consultant, keynote speaker, and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services and to read more blog posts, visit her at http://www.julieannejones.com.