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Take Back Your Time By Saying No More Often Than Yes

December 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

source: Horia Varlan

When my sons were younger, I was at the top of the volunteer list (translation: sucker). Whenever someone called me to help with an event, class project or anything else to do with school, I said yes. I did the same thing with two professional associations I was in.

One day I had a revelation. I was spending more time volunteering my time than growing my business. I’m all for helping others but eventually you have to say no more often than you say yes.

How many times have you said yes when you meant no? There are only so many hours in a day and if at some point you don’t say no, you’ll never get ahead (or get any sleep!).

Before you say yes to everything, consider a few questions.

To read the rest of my guest post on Success Your Way, click here.

 

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Working with clients

Get Thinner Files in Just Minutes a Day

December 27, 2011 By 4 Comments

A few years ago, I reached the point where I was tired of handling papers and despised filing even more.

I sorted through my files, took out as many papers as I could and then dumped the papers I didn’t need in my recycling bin. This decluttering process took a few hours, but when I finished, I knew that maintenance would take only a few minutes every day.

Now, instead of adding more files to my file drawers, I store files electronically and back them up in three places. This may seem like overkill but it takes only one computer crash to figure out it’s easier to back up info than to try to recreate it.

Try these ways to reduce your files and overcome information overload, without spending too much time or money. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home office organizing Tagged With:

Last-Minute Tips for End of the Year Organizing

December 21, 2011 By 11 Comments

This time of year, many businesses slow down and take care of the annoying tasks they haven’t had time to deal with all year. Some people are still wrapping up loose ends, finalizing contracts and planning ahead for next year, but for the most part, businesses are getting ready to enjoy the break between Christmas and New Year’s.

Those few quiet days are the perfect time to clear out your home office and get organized. Start with these tips: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Home office organizing, Working at home

Working Naked Home Office Gift Guide

December 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The holidays are only a few days away and you still don’t know what to buy your favorite home office professional or your own holiday list is still blank?

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for a friend, spouse or business associate who’s just started working from home or has worked from home for years, look no further. As a self-proclaimed home office product junkie, I’ve scoured stores — both in person and online — to find the 8 home office must-haves this holiday season.

Click here to see all 8 gift ideas in my guest post for genConnect.

 

 

Filed Under: Home office products, Home office technology, Working at home Tagged With: ,

What is Clutter Costing You?

December 15, 2011 By 16 Comments

The show Hoarders is an extreme example of clutter gone wild. I’ve watched only a few episodes, but I’ve seen enough to know that there’s more to the stacks of stuff, and rooms filled with fast-food boxes, newspapers and items that the owners can’t possibly throw away, than just the inability to get organized.

Your home office may not resemble anything close to the homes on Hoarders, but consider how much you own, how much you need, and why you’re still holding on to things you no longer use. Even if you didn’t pay for anything in your home office, the clutter may be costing you more than you realize.

The mental cost [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Home office organizing Tagged With: ,

The Advantages of Hiring Help

December 13, 2011 By 8 Comments

A business owner I’ve known for over ten years has owned several businesses. He sold two of his businesses within two years of starting them.

His last (and current) business was almost a failure. Although he had a strong business idea and product, he grew his business too quickly. Each month he added a few employees and by the end of his first year in business, he wasn’t making enough money to cover his overhead.

At the beginning of the new year he cut his staff in half and reorganized his business. By making a few staffing changes, he has converted his company from pathetic to profitable.

As your business grows, and you have less time to spend on sales and marketing, filing, and accounting, you may need to add additional staff or hire freelancers. There are a few things to consider when hiring others full-time, part-time, or on a project-by-project basis. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Time mgmt./Productivity, Working with clients Tagged With:

When is it Time to Break Up With a Client?

December 8, 2011 By 6 Comments

I think we’re better off as friends.

It’s not you, it’s me.

The timing isn’t right.

We’ve all either heard or used those excuses during a breakup in our personal life.

Breaking up is hard to do, especially when it comes to clients. But when a client has been with you from the start and your services are worth more than you’re charging, what do you do? Consider the following three options. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Making money from home, Time mgmt./Productivity, Working at home, Working with clients Tagged With:

Do’s and Don’ts of Conquering Home Office Chaos

December 5, 2011 By 10 Comments

Source: Betsssssy

Someone who works in a cubicle or a corporate office can leave his or her mess at work. Yet when your business and personal life are under the same roof, it’s more difficult to keep home office chaos to a minimum. By following a few do’s and avoiding the don’ts, you can keep your home office under control.

Do

Set a schedule

When you work for yourself, it’s important to make every minute count.  Each day set a schedule, but make it flexible. If you wait for the right time to work on something, you may never get started.  Your schedule may change based on the appointments you’ve scheduled or the tasks you need to complete, so focus on the top five tasks you need to accomplish each day. Otherwise it’s easy to get sidetracked.

To read the rest of my guest post on Startup Nation, click here.

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Time mgmt./Productivity, Working at home Tagged With: , ,

Making Your Guest Room Do Double Duty as a Home Office

November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A guest room is ideal when family, friends and relatives stay with you, but what about the rest of the year when it sits empty?  Depending on how often you have overnight guests, a guest bedroom can be the perfect room to set up a home office.

The three home offices below are small, but have enough space for a desk, a file cabinet or rolling file cart and a twin bed or a double bed. Throughout the years that I’ve been designing and organizing home offices, I’ve learned that size doesn’t matter. A 20’ x 20’ home office is just as functional as a 10’ x 10’ office. It’s all in the way you use the space. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home office design, Home office setup, Working at home Tagged With: ,

Drawing the Line Between Your Business and Personal Relationships

November 28, 2011 By 2 Comments

In my first job out of college, I sold commercial time for an AM talk radio station. Our station owned a suite at the football stadium, and during one of the games one of my co-workers was a little nervous. His biggest client was going to be there so several bottles of beer and a few too many shots of Tequila later, he needed to make a quick exit. He didn’t embarrass himself, but he could have.

He blamed it on the chicken nachos.

While it’s important to build rapport with a client, you need to make sure you keep your business relationship in line, starting with these tips.

Remember that you always represent your business

If you’re out with a friend and you do something reckless, a friend may laugh it off. But if you’re with a client, he or she may wonder whether you’re handling his or her account the same way. They may even lose faith in your ability to make good decisions on their behalf. There’s nothing wrong with having fun. Being out of control is beyond wrong. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Working at home, Working with clients Tagged With: ,
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