Dive Right In: Working From Home Amidst Family Chaos

Running a busy household is a job on it's own but working from home amidst the family chaos is even more challenging.  I tell ya: I have great respect for single parents that do it every day.  There have to be days when it can be daunting and you wish you could maybe pause or rewind.

I live in a busy household of seven and every day is, to put it simply, a juggling act..  Some days, it's purely about trying not to strangle one of the kids.

Patience - don't strangle each other..  yet. (J/K)

When you work from home, there are many skills and traits that breed success, but the two biggest ones are likely...

• Self-Starting - With no boss lighting a fire under your arse, taking initiative is the only way to make progress and get consistent results.
• Self-Accountability - No more pointing fingers or casting blame on others.  Being self-accountable means you accept your faults and constantly make efforts to improve - that means progress!

Note the focus on "me" and "I": you are the #1 reason you succeed or fail.  Of course, to say that demanding family lives do not create their own challenges would be misleading.  The basic approach to balancing your home and work life is simple:

• Be Proactive - Plan ahead - you can never be too prepared, but don't let your planning take the place of action.  Being proactive is about maintaining a "do it now" attitude and preparing for potential challenges before they happen.
• Stay Positive - Getting worked up and seeing doom at every turn does not help situations turn around.  Positive people don't see problems, they see opportunities.  We can learn and grow with every effort if we respond in positive, productive ways.

The tactics is where it can get tricky since every family and scenario is different.  I'd like to share some of the challenges I have faced and how to overcome them.




Before we get into the tips and tricks of working from home while tending to the demands and responsibilities of family life, let's build up a typical scenario.  I think many of us homemakers and parents can relate to these typical challenges and nuisances:

• You constantly get interrupted by the kids or spouse, often for things that aren't really that important.
• You feel like your work is not respected by your family.
• Important phone calls and meetings are interrupted by silly bickering, needlessly loud talk, or wild screaming.
• When you take a quick break, the assumption is that you are "not busy" and you are pulled in many different directions.
• By the end of the day, only 5-20% of what you set out to get done has been checked off your daily to-do list.
• It just feels like you never have enough time to get things done.
• If you make it to the end of the week without strangling someone, you feel fortunate..  But can you do it again?

The frustrations of everyday life can drive anyone batty.  If you don't have a system in place or any support, the effects and feelings are only further magnified and worsened.

Now for some simple solutions.  Remember the underlying themes of being positive and proactive as you soak these in:

• Share Your Work - All too often, the temptation is to keep our work to ourselves.  We assume that it may not interest others or may be too advanced and just go over their heads.  Let your household in on what you do, why it's important, and why you are so excited about it.
• Share Your Dream - With every project, job, or gig we take on, the potential is what excites us the most but not everyone will see the dream.  While your work may not be excited to those not familiar with the nature of it, a good dream is something that everyone can really get excited them.
• Pay The Price Together - Sacrifices need to be made in any venture.  It really helps when your family gets into the habit of forming good habits and making the changes to improve your lifestyle.  It's hard but you got to give up some things now to have the things you really want and need later.
• Set Boundaries - Setting boundaries can start with the simple exercise of saying "no" more often but, more importantly, not becoming a door mat.  Post your hours of operation/availability, let your family know when you absolutely cannot be interrupted, and stress the importance of your work.  When boundaries are set and consistently reinforced, you will get more stuff and then have more free time for your loved ones and necessary rest/relaxation.
• Set Up Regular Family Time - Very often the constant interruptions have little to do with the issues that need addressing; instead, they are simple cries for attention.  A proactive approach is to set up more family time.  For us, family gaming, movie nights, and weekly meetings work well.
• Do Small Chores Daily - A little daily upkeep lessens the need for major chores.  This is another case where you need to get your family to subscribe and commit to good habits/disciplines.
• Close The Door - It's great to have an "open door policy" but sometimes you have to close the door.  A closed door is a simple way to reinforce the fact that you are busy and should only be approached with urgent matters; of course, don't always keep the door closed because then it loses it's effectiveness.
• Create Quiet Time - This is especially crucial if you do any vlogging, podcasting, or regular meetings.  Send your kids out, give your spouse some spending money, or do whatever you can to keep your family engaged and quiet.  Out of the house is the ideal but that may not always be feasible..  Just make sure they understand you are not giving them the boot - you just need the quiet for a bit.
• Build A Support Network - No one makes it alone.  Building a support network is important for managing your business and family alike.  Network with people often and nurture relationships daily because it's always good to have people you can count on.  Conversely, make sure you are there for others - just don't over-extend yourself, either...
• Honor Commitments - This should be a no-brainer but never make promises you can't keep.  Make sure you honor all commitments so you build up credibility and are perceived as reliable.  Your family is observing you more than you realize and they will model good and bad behaviors.
• Eat Dinner Together - It may shock some folks out there but families today rarely sit down for dinner together anymore.  Our family is working hard on that and it makes a big difference.  I notice that the weeks where we skip meals together are the most hectic and emotionally draining.  This time is a good time to set aside distractions and reconnect.  Show interest in the daily happenings of your family members and they will start to take more interest in what you are cooking up with your latest project or venture.
• Stick To The Plan - Develop systems for weekly and monthly scheduling, goals, and wishlists.  Make sure everyone uses them.  You may even want to consider doing this for little things like preferred meals or ideas for family outings.  Get your older kids and spouse into the habit of using to-do lists.  Above all, limit last-minute requests; if it wasn't planned in advance, then it likely is a passing whim. You'll find that this sort of family planning helps you with the following...
• Distinguish Want Vs. Need - Kids, especially the younger ones, rarely no the difference between a want or a need.  Today's parents often buckle under pressure because they don't want to be unliked or seem like the "bad guy", but this only spoils kids and gets them to develop a sense of entitlement.  Teaching the difference between a want and a need is one of the most critical lessons anyone can learn - at any age!  Put it into practice in your own decisions and reinforce it with your children, regardless of their age.  This will help ease the pressure off you when demanding clients and project deadlines have you bogged down, too!
• Disconnect For A Day - Every home-based business or online entrepreneur should set aside a day each week to disconnect.  Working seven days a week may get more stuff done, but your family will end up feeling neglected and then what are you really working for?

One thing I would like to particularly stress is that saying "no" is not a bad thing.  I believe the more we can say "no" today, the more we can say "yes" to the things that really matter.  For me, it's an exercise in distinguishing wants versus needs.

Look at your family as a team.  They may be the toughest people to sell on what you are doing but, inevitably, if they see how excited, hopeful, and disciplined you are, they will follow suit.  I recommend everyone read "Rich Habits" by my client, Tom Corley, for insights into what makes the difference between poor and wealthy, unsuccessful and successful.  The lessons found in this book will increase your health and lead you to a happier family life!

Do you have any tips for keeping up with work and family when you are based at home?  Leave them in the comments!