Home Based Business

“How can I do all the personal and household tasks that need to be done, but still manage and market my business?” is a question I hear often from women who run home based businesses. Until now I have been able to give many suggestions regarding marketing and management, but struggle with ideas for smoothly integrating the personal and business sides.–Bobette

One of the toughest challenges for women with home based businesses is both (a) effectively staying caught up with household and personal activities and (b) putting in all of the effort needed to keep your business moving forward. My Life Matters TM is perfect for effectively planning and tracking both sides of your life in one planner. Cecilia, Laura, and I (Bobette) run Lifestyle Inspirations LLC from our respective homes, so this type of flexibility was critical for us.

Here’s how I use the planner to keep up with personal and household organization as well as move my businesses forward.

Click image for My Goals details.

Click image above for Home Business Goals details.
Click image for My Week details.

Click image above for My Life Matters demonstration video.

  
Click image for My Days details.

Click image above for demonstration video.

  

The Business Activities

Aside from the WomansPlanner.com Website and My Life Matters TM planner, I also publish two other Websites (MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com and WebsiteMarketingPlan.com). At any one time, I have various projects and maintenance tasks in progress for each. Fortunately, my brain naturally thinks along several “tracks” simultaneously.

What I cannot do is remember. That is where the planner comes in. Every action I take, business wise, is a direct result of the “drill down” from goals, to related projects, to specific tasks. So it is helpful for me to keep note of these in the planner.

  • Goals. Each month I have certain projects and goals that need to be done, such as “get the new WebsiteMarketingPlan.com category home pages to virtual assistant,” “complete the 2012 revamp of WomansPlanner.com”, etc. The My Monthly Goals page (A) is perfect for listing those.

  • Projects. Each goal or project requires several general steps to complete. I write these on the My Life, Myself page (B), usually in outline form. This will keep me pointed in the right direction if I get too caught up in day-to-day life. The 2012 changeover project, for example, may read:
        WomansPlanner.com 2012 Changeover:
          Record demo video
          Revamp home page (with video)
          Streamline areas of life
          Phase out other sections
          etc

  • Tasks. These are the detailed activities involved in moving each project toward my overall goals. Where I keep my task lists depends on how much detail I require for the projects at hand. For a single to-do list, I can keep a running task list in the My Week notes section (C). For daily, more detailed lists I write tasks on the My Days page (D), along with any appointments I may have. Alternately, you may want to use the daily “morning, afternoon, evening” section (E) for appointments and tasks. (I sometimes use that space for diet and meal tracking.)
By structuring my business activities in this manner, I am always organized and know the status of each project and task.

The Personal Activities

Because I do most of my work at home, cleanliness and orderliness of the house is more top of mind than when I worked full time at an office. Here is my My Life Matters TM “wish list” for keeping on top of the household cleaning (it’s a wish list because I am not even close to making it a reality).
  • Monthly Projects. Include at least one major household project, such as cleaning out the closets or organizing the garage, on the My Monthly Goals page (A).

  • Regular Cleaning. Note weekly cleaning in the My Week section (C) or plan each week’s cleaning on the My Days page (D).

  • Daily organizing and decluttering. Set a timer to go off periodically (every two or three hours). When the timer goes off, take a 10- to 30-minute break from work. Use the time to pick up around the house or organize. As the days pass, use the two lines just below the “morning, afternoon, and evening” section (F) each day to note accomplishments.
Health is another area of my personal life I must pay close attention to. If I am not diligent I will work too much, allowing health issues to take over, leaving me bedridden. In the physical health example, I explain how to use My Life Matters TM to track your nutrition, exercise, and other health-related activities. 

Because our entire lives matter, with My Life Matters TM you can integrate business, career, or volunteer projects; personal; and healthy activities all in one convenient planner.

About My Life Matters TM

The My Life Matters TM Planner helps you focus on and achieve what is important to YOU.

The 2012 edition is a PDF file you download, then print yourself and carry in your own binder. It is $12.95 for a one-person license and is available immediately as a download. Watch a demonstration video and learn more here or purchase here.