With the threat of COVID-19 and the importance of self quarantining, many of us find ourselves working from home in new and unusual ways. Maybe your office job has shifted to your home. Or your spouse is now working from home or your kids are doing school work from home.
Since I have worked from home in various capacities, on and off, over the course of the last 10+ years, I thought I might share some things I have learned along the way. I hope they will be helpful to you in whatever way you are working at home these days.
Snippet From the Show
If you’re trying to work from home and take calls, you need some quiet to be able to be professional, to give your attention to the work, and to your colleagues. It’s okay to require basic rules and to set expectations for your family to support your work.
Here are 5 ideas I have to share:
1) Give your day to God.
You can do this by praying a Morning Offering at the start of each day, but also, make sure you are taking time for daily prayer. All of our days belong to God first and foremost, and we owe him our time before anything else. Make sure you begin your day with the right priorities and everything else will fall into place.
2) Be clear about boundaries.
What kind of behavior do you expect from your kids when you are on the phone? If you are working behind a closed door, do they know to not disturb you? Set up some basic rules for the way you will work and what you expect other family members to do to support your work.
3) Make a plan.
Have at least a loose plan for your daily schedule. What times will you work? What times will you be available to your family? What goals do you have for your day? Thinking all of these things through will help you communicate clearly with your family and everyone will know what to expect. It also helps you to be focused on your tasks.
4) Break up your tasks.
It can be mentally helpful to switch back and forth between work tasks and home/family tasks throughout your day. This helps you stay connected with your family, even while working, and gives you peace of mind that all of your many tasks are being attended to.
5) Use the time you have.
Stop waiting for a great big chunk of time to fall into your lap for work projects — it’s probably not going to happen. Use the spare 20 minutes you have here and there. And for especially big projects or looming deadlines, consider getting up early, or staying up late to “find” some time for work.
At the end of today’s show, I answer listener Christine’s question about “failing at Lent” and getting back to basics with an exercise routine, even inside of quarantine.
Mentioned in this week’s show: Zoom call about working from home with Stephanie Weinert, Elizabeth Foss, and Danielle Bean
Also mentioned in this week’s show: Virtual retreats with Danielle Bean
I have received so much feedback from all of you about my newest book and the first chapter that I shared with you at the end of episode 210. Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections on the Gift of Motherhood is a book in which I share from my heart about the very real changes, challenges, triumphs, and joys of being a mom in an “emptying nest.” You can read that sample chapter at Ave Maria Press. (Use the coupon code BEAN20 to get 20% off your order!)
Please join me on Thursdays at 1:00 pm ET for a book club based on themes in the book. See you over at Facebook!
My book, You Are Enough: What Women of the Bible Teach You About Your Mission and Worth, is available for order! Use the code, GIRLFRIENDS to receive ten percent off your order. Don’t miss out on this special available exclusively to listeners of the Girlfriends podcast.
Have feedback or an idea to share? I would love to hear from you!
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Meet Danielle Bean
A writer, speaker, wife, and mother, Danielle helps women from all walks of life discover their dignity and worth so they can find peace, balance, and joy in family living. Danielle has been married to her husband Dan for 23 years, and together they have eight amazing children. Currently, Danielle serves as brand manager at CatholicMom.com and host of The Gist, a talk show for women on CatholicTV.
Danielle’s books include, You Are Enough: What Women of the Bible Teach You About Your Mission and Worth and Momnipotent: The Not-so Perfect Guide to Catholic Motherhood, as well as her latest book, Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections on the Gift of Motherhood.
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