Here I am, sitting in the car dealership’s office working (happily) along while my car is being serviced. I almost walked out of the house this morning without my laptop. I didn’t think I’d be away from my (home) office that long and I could do some work when I got back home. I’m glad I re-thought that idea and grabbed all of my work stuff before I left home. It turns out that the service department is slammed today and there’s about a three to four hour wait per person. I’m also glad that I’ve learned the art and importance of multi-tasking so that at the end of this long, expensive car-service episode, I can say that I’ve had a productive day (I hope). So, this whole thing sparked the post idea of sharing with our readers the importance of multi-tasking in your everyday lives…no matter where you are!

As women (and some of us as moms), we know the good, the bad, the pros and cons of being multi-taskers. Some experts agree with the idea of multi-tasking and think it’s a wonderful concept while other experts will warn you that multi-tasking can create other problems and be more of a distraction. This great article that I found on Oprah gives some tips on how to multi-task without “losing your mind.” Although I can’t say that I’ve ever felt that I would lose my mind when I multi-tasked, I have been faced with the problem of trying to decide which tasks I’d work on and which one would be the primary task and which would be the secondary task.

Multi-Mom
When I’m at home and doing the wife-mom thing, I multi-task pretty efficently, cranking out a three-course dinner while washing a load of clothes and helping my first-grader with his homework. It’s not a problem for me at all, mainly because I’ve been doing it for a loooong time and have found some great ways to be productive with a busy life and an active family. But since this blog isn’t about homemaking…

As a freelancer, I absolutely love the flexibility that this career offers. You can work when you want, where you want and as much as you want. Sort of. I still have to organize my day and write out my to-do lists. I still do have to get my work done and meet deadlines and keep clients satisfied. So I really have to multi-task and be pretty good at it, as do some of you. Deb has a great article today on her blog about this very topic of working from home, freelancing and disciplining yourself. A good read! Anyway, whether you’re home-based or in a corporate environment, multi-tasking is easy to do and can be adapted to most any situation.

Home Telecommuter
If most of your work is computer-based, invest in a laptop (if you don’t already have one) and take it with you everywhere you go. This has proved to be invaluable to me. I am at a ball field with at least one of my kids two to three times a week. Since practices can last 1 1/2 to 2 hours, there is a lot of sitting, waiting, and more sitting. (Now that almost made me lose my mind, Oprah!) Anyway, I’d sit there for hours and still have my work to do when I got home and back to my desktop. After a while, I got sick of all that sitting, so I started taking my work with me and cranking out material and still be there for my kids. This helps me to be in a better mood later because I don’t have so much work waiting on me for later. Also, for that laptop, make sure it’s WiFi accessible and with a good connect plan to boot.

Minus a laptop and still with tasks to do, you can still multi-task and be productive. Sometimes, I take my paper-based planner and my PDA planner and sync the both up while I’m, again, at a ball practice ( I DO watch the kids sometimes!). I can plan my week, flesh out an article or write out an outline (PDA’s come with word processing documents too.) Minus the PDA, I can still use my paper-based planner to plan my week or even a couple of weeks out.

Business, etc.
Now if you’re home-based with your business, there are ways that you can multi-task too and still be productive. One thing to note is that multi-tasking doesn’t always have to be done simultaneously. In other words, you don’t have to do two or more things at the same time. For instance: if you’re about to go out and do a beauty product demonstration, you can fire off some contact emails before you leave, fax off your product order or return a few phone calls. Things don’t always have to be done all at once or at the same time. The idea with effective multi-tasking is to complete some things while starting or completing other things and being as productive as can be.

Corporate women take heart! I used to be in corporate America too and believe me, they ARE busier than freelancers! There is very little room for flexibility because of their rigid schedules and most of their responsibilities have to be done on a stringent schedule. However, there are ways. When I worked as a staff accountant, there were monthly reports that I had to have done by month end. During the month, I would compile the figures and plug them into an Excel spreadsheet as the figures became available. By month’s end, not only did I have complete figures, but I was also able to get my reports printed and collated before the other pencil-pushers crowded the print room to get their reports out too.

Another tip that corporate biz-chicker’s can try involves those endless meetings she has to attend on a daily basis. If you have a laptop, this is ideal but paper-based planners work as well. Here you go:

Take meticulous notes during any meeting and transfer them directly into an Excel spreadsheet. Create an action list or a to-do list during the meeting. Make FULL use of your time spent there.

What are some other business multi-tasking skills that you have found that work for you? How do you do multiple things at once as a Biz-Chicker?

______________________________________________________
Copyright 2008 – Bridget Wright

Post from: EveryJoe

Frideas: How To Multi-Task With ANY Business

I work from home as a freelancer, and have been trying to get to the four-day work week for about a year now. No dice.

In order for me to get to that coveted four-day work week, I’d have to go up on my rates and work more hours of course during the other four days. With kids in school, activities and other outside family interests, it may not be possible to slide in extended days for the enjoyment of one extra day. But for the trade-off, I’m willing to give it a shot.

I figured I could work four nine hour days and still get the bulk of the work that I need done in that time to get that extra day. If I could get family and situations to be compliant with my idea, it should work. In theory, of course.

As a business person, do you think the four-hour work week is something viable for the type of business you’re in? Is there someone to take up the slack for you in case you can’t meet all of your deadlines or commitments? What would you do with the extra day off?
_____________________________________________________
Copyright 2008 – Bridget Wright

Post from: EveryJoe

The Four-Day Work Week – - It Might Actually Work

Rico asked the question on his blog (or rather stated) that we all wear many different hats and it’s a challenge to juggle them all. What’s interesting is that everybody thinks they’re busier than the next person, and the next, and the next. You get me.

I for one think I’m busier than ANYbody I know. Yes, I know it’s pretty self-important sounding and all, but I really think I am.

Consider this:

My friends want to be “spontaneous” and what-not all of the time and go for coffee, in the middle of the day! Who has time for that? I’ve got work, AND LOTS OF IT, to do and simply cannot just lag around, drinking coffee all day. See – - they’re not busy.

Then, my husband calls me from (his) work during the day and asks me if I’d:
a) pick up his drycleaning
b) find his checkbook
c) put fresh batteries in his remote for when he gets home
d) see if he left his cell phone on the nighstand. AAAGGHH! What does he think I’m doing? Waiting to GET something to do?

OK, so my kids are out for the summer. So they decide, with their friends, that they want to have a water party outside, complete with snacks, water toys, beach balls, the whole 9. And, they want to do it – - tommorrow! Sure, kids. Mom’s not busy. Just waiting to plan you and your friends social lives, that’s all.

Then don’t EVEN get me started with volunteer org.’s and stuff. The church needs helpers for VBS and would I plleeeeezzz fill in? Then, the summer camp community center wants to know if the parent’s can each donate a block of time to help with crafts. WHAT! And then there’s the neighborhood community social group. Having a poolside BBQ. Can you make brownies?

Working from home is not all that it sounds. When you do work from home, there are more things to be concerned with than just getting your work done. Since you are more flexible than say your spouse, significant other, friends or neighbors, more is expected of you and in some cases it’s demanded. But also as freelancers, we have to schedule our time, prioritize and sometimes, just say NO.

We are flexible. We are freelancers. We do and can multi-task. But I’d like to make an announcement to the world…

WE ARE BUSY!!

There. I got that off of my chest.

Tea anyone?

Post from: EveryJoe

Business Women Wear Many Different Hats

[photo: my personal photos]

Now, don’t get me wrong, I do SOOOOO love my kids. It’s just that I find it quite difficult to conentrate when they’re around, and being a freelancing mom, I have to consider my flexible schedule since they’re going to be out for the summer. The entire summer. What can I do to make sure I still get my work done?

Although as freelancing moms, we are time-challenged at times like summer break, holiday breaks, spring breaks, sicknesses and other situations, I think there are some things we can do ensure that we still keep a productive schedule and the kids entertained at the same time.

I don’t know about other freelance moms, but I sure would like to read any, ANY, tips you may have on balancing summer breaks and your business at the same time. Any tips, might I add. We all need to stick together.

There are two things that I have right off the bat to suggest what might work for us all:

1. Keep the same schedule throughout the summer, no matter what.

Now I know you’re thinking, “It’s summer and they will want to sleep late.” Well, that’s fine, but try to keep the schedule as close to the school routine schedule if at all possible. This will help the kids stay on a routine, avoid crankiness and help you set some human hours to work. The second thing is to:

2. Keep something educational and entertaining for the kids to do.

This doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It doesn’t mean a horse and pony show every day either. Structure here is the key. Keep library books checked out. Set certain times and limits for television… and gameboys. Make sure they eat their meals on a schedule and even set a schedule for their entertainment time. Instead of going to the pool for all day, plan to go from say 10:00 a.m. until lunchtime or so. They’ll know what to expect and you can set your work time schedule around it.

So freelance moms, don’t fret. Let’s brainstorm here and find some things that we can do to ensure that we ALL have a productive summer. Beginning with the two suggestions that I have listed above, what’s your suggestion?

3.

4.

5.

…

Do share.

Post from: EveryJoe

Freelancing Moms Have To Decide…

But I digress. :)

If you have ideas for getting a handle on how to keep things in front of you but still keep them contained, pop on over to My Organized Biz and leave a comment for Jen. She’ll pick a winner at random to win a $10 gift certificate to Powell’s World of Books. Woohoo, free book!

Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King

(photo)

Tags: women and business, women in business, women, woman, business, organization, organizing, tips, advice, getting organized, organizing your office, visual learner, visual organizer, my organized biz, contest, giveaway, free, biz chicks rule, kristen king

Post from: EveryJoe

Fun Contest at My Organized Biz: Visual Organizing

Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King

Tags: women in business, women and business, business advice for women, office, video tour, home office, freelance writing office, home business office, home office space, home office organization, kristen king, video, biz chicks rule

Post from: EveryJoe

Up Close and Personal: A Video Tour of Kristen’s Home Office

The good news is that, thanks to some nerve-steeling, I no longer have a File Box of Doom. I even threw out the box! The bad news is that I now have a Corner of Shame:

I pulled everything out of the jam-packed cardboard box and put it into vertical magazine holders, and added them to the collection that was already in residence on top of my file cabinet. To be completely honest, I have a serious block when it comes to filing things. My mom’s great with money and terrible with filing. My dad’s great with filing and terrible with money. I’m terrible with filing and terrible with money. It’s awesome, truly. (Yes, I’m being sarcastic.) I struggle with it daily, but as you can see, I also try to have a sense of humor about it.

When it comes down to it, I’m more of a visual organizer: I like to be able to see all of my stuff, so I tend to make piles rather than filing things. This isn’t a great system, but I know there are ways to make it work because there are a LOT of people out there like me. What I’m working on right now is tackling one area of my office at a time to weed out trash and categorize existing papers while keeping incoming paperwork from piling up. I’ve taken a lesson from my organizing hero Hellen Buttigieg by creating a RAFT system at my desk:

• R – Read. Magazines, newsletters, information from the bank or insurance company, etc.
• A – Act. Something I have to return, fill out, respond to, etc.
• F – File. Bank statements, insurance statements, etc.
• T – Trash. Junk mail.

When papers come in, they immediately go into one of these designated areas rather than being tossed into my “in box” and then shoved into a drawer when company comes over.

My name is Kristen King, and I’m a chronic clutterer. But I’m working on it.

Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King

(Photos Copyright © 2008 by Kristen King. All Rights Reserved. No Unauthorized Reuse.)

Tags: women and business, women in business, women, woman, business, office, organization, organizing, clutter, chronic clutter, filing, paperwork, managing paperwork, messy office, messy desk, biz chicks rule, kristen king

Post from: EveryJoe

Update on Kristen’s Spring Cleaning Challenge: Good News and Bad News (or, Confessions of a Chronic Clutterer)

They are all trying to balance both a career and family.

Whether they have four children, a dog and two cats, or whether it was just them and a parakeet, women have always had the challenge of trying to make the life of a working woman and home life be cohesive. Balancing a career and home life can be a challenge but it CAN be done.

I’ve been a work at home mom for over ten years now and I’ve still yet to get a full eight hours of sleep! Building, managing and running a business is hard work and needs your full attention. Building, managing and running a family is ALSO hard work and needs your full attention. Both are full-time jobs and both have to be meticulously organized in order to be effective.

How do you manage your family and your career?

A few things that help me keep things in balance are having goals set that I want to meet weekly, monthly and yearly. This keeps me motivated and helps me organize my work life on a daily basis. Having projects going and something to look forward helps me keep thing in perspective.

Keeping the family organized is also a challenge. Since my children are growing up (and quickly), they’re starting to become actively involved in sports. We’re busy year ’round with football season and a cheerleader, spring and fall with the soccer player and the new t-ball player who is a batting genius! (well, almost) Our lives are certainly hectic and busy. I make sure that I keep them active and busy with their interests so that they can feel fulfilled, and in turn so can I as I pursue the things I have to do.

This video from YouTube has a wonderful keynote from Nina DiSesa (fora.tv) with the Commonwealth Club of California and the author of “Seducing the Boys Club”. She talks extensively about how women in business can effectively juggle both a career and family. She doesn’t just offer a laundry list of tips but she speaks extensively on the principles of balancing and how important it is for women to be able to handle all of her responsibilities well.

Women can juggle both a career and a family with the right resources and even with the right challenges. Staying focused and diligent can help business women attain her goal of having her cake and eating it too: balancing a career and a family – - it can be done.

How do you balance your career and a family? What resources do you use to make your life a cohesive one?

Post from: EveryJoe

Women in Business Balancing Family and Career

1. Always make a to-do list of your committments and refer to them often. Stage them in sets like to-do’s for a day, a week or even a month. I like to engage the weekly system to manage my blogging activity. It helps me keep everything in perspective.

2. Work on one project at a time until it is completed. I know some people work better skipping around, or so they think. Try getting into the habit of working on one particular project until it is finished. You know that article you’re writing? Go ahead and finish it and you’ll see how great and relieved you’ll feel afterwards.

3. Return emails and phone calls all at one set time, and do them all immediatley. If something requires research or more information-gathering, simply put it on your to-do list and make it a “to-do” for the next day.

What tips do YOU have to share with us on how you can organize your business life?

Post from: EveryJoe

3 Tips On Organizing The Freelance Life

Like Bridget

I’m one of those people who are determined to get and stay organized but just have a hard time sticking with it. Two resources that have helped me get closer to following through with personal and professional organization are Declutter It! and My Organized Biz, both of which offer real-life advice and seriously practical solutions for getting things in order in the office and around the house.

And if you think your office is seriously beyond repair, this may make you feel better.

What’s your favorite organizing tip? Leave a comment.

Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King

Post from: EveryJoe

Organizing Your Office