Working at home for busy moms (part 2)

Family Support Is Crucial 
                   
Going into an at-home work venture without solid family support for the idea can prove 
to be a huge mistake. If family members do not understand that work time is important 
or that work calls shouldn’t be interrupted with blaring rock ‘n’ roll music from a 
teenager’s room, than an uphill battle will need to be fought.  
To make sure your family is onboard, ask yourself these things: 

 Have I discussed the idea thoroughly with all family members?  If you haven’t, you will want to do so. 

Making sure everyone who is old enough understands that just because you are home doesn’t mean that working hours are any less important is vital for your chances at success. 

 Will older family members provide backup during emergencies?  Work at home moms still need to attend meetings, meet deadlines or get out and network. When the need for serious focus time presents, it is imperative to have someone who can step in and take care of childcare and/or household duties. 

 Will family members pitch in? Just because you’re working at home doesn’t mean you can or should handle everything. It will help you immensely if family members will pitch in with chores and do their part to make sure everything in the household flows smoothly.
  
Working at home after being out in the world can be a bit of a challenge for an entire 
family to adjust to.

 If you’ve been a stay-at-home mom, the challenges can be even 
greater. After all, everyone is used to having you there to help them. Moving into an at
home career means that even if you are there, sometimes priorities will have to shift 
focus. If your family is truly onboard, you will have an edge in whatever endeavor you 
pursue.

Self-Discipline Gets The Job Done 

It will not matter at all how much money 
you’ve socked aside to get started or how 
supportive your family is, if you can’t motivate 
yourself, you’re in trouble.
 Self-discipline is 
one of the most important traits to have when 
attempting to launch at at-home career. This 
goes for telecommuters who will work full
time for companies as much as it does would
be entrepreneurs.  
To make sure you have what it takes on this front, consider asking yourself these things 
and answering with frank honesty:
  
 Am I motivated?  If you don’t have the motivation and drive to get up in the morning and get to work, an at-home business will be on shaky ground from the start. While half the reward of working at home is to be around more for the family, you will still need to operate with drive to enjoy business success. Just like raising your children, an at-home career will require time, attention and some serious nurturing. 

 Can I set hours and stick with them?  When you own the operation or work as a freelancer, you can set your own hours. Actually doing so can be a very big help in making sure life is balanced out better. Of course, you can knock off early to play with the kids once in a while, but you will need stick-to-itiveness on a more-or-less regular basis. 


 Can I resist temptations?  One of the issues that self-discipline can overcome involves resisting the temptations to do other things beside work during working hours. When no boss is breathing down your neck, it can be all too easy to watch television, play on the computer or even tackle housework instead performing work-related functions. Give in to temptation too often and your venture might not fly.