Juggling Work At Home Projects: The Workload List For many, to stay solvent in the Work At Home world it is necessary to have three or four different jobs for varied, let's call them, "clients" for our purposes here. One of the biggest hurdles for those just entering the Work At Home arena is juggling the workload. Just like learning a new sport, or skill, finding your WAH groove is going to take a little time. Much of this overwhelming feeling of the amount of work you need to get done comes from emotional overload. As the tape in your head of "I need to get this done" plays, you become more overwhelmed. Take a deep breath, seriously (actually take a few deep breaths) and tell yourself, "I will get this done in the right amount of time." If you are a spiritual person, ask for help from the Universe, or whatever makes you feel supported, and positive. After you've calmed down, and feel that seeing all the work in black and white won't make you anxious, you're ready for the next step. The Workload List Yes, you have "to do" lists scattered on post it notes, pieces of paper on your desk, and written on napkins in your car, but lists are essential for people who are juggling a boatload of work, especially if you're doing this solo. The Workload List can be done either on a computer spreadsheet or by hand. For some people, creating the list by hand actually works better for them as it gives them the sense of being more in control of the situation because of the "feel" of creating the list. Let's say you have four jobs from four different "clients." Your spreadsheet would have four columns with the name of the Client at the top of each column. In each column, under the specific client, write the job title. If there isn't a specific job title, create one. For example, Newsletter for Green Grass Homeowners Association. Underneath each job title in each column, break the work down into parts including the date you received the project. If your job is to write the newsletter, for instance, mark down each component of the project. Then break down the components of the writing, how will you get it done, do you have to make phone calls, do online research? Your final to last line in each column should be the amount of hours you believe this will take you to complete. To be very specific, the very last line should specify the time of day, if possible, that you will work on each client's project. One column should look something like this: Client: Green Grass Homeowners Association Job Title: Newsletter Assignment received: May 3 Components: Get articles from board chairman Compile chairman's letter (call Gus to interview) Write article on new road paving Write article on association fees Write article on garbage pick up day change Compile birthdays, anniversaries page Compile new owners, new renters page Email graphic designer about getting photos (does he have them all?) Hours: 8-10 hours (2 hours a day) Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon until completion. Deadline: May 7 The toughest part about your organizational chart is not creating the chart, but sticking with it. When you are working on the projects that are in your chart, do not waver. Your attention should be entirely focused for those hours on that task at hand. Try not to get distracted by phone calls, emails, children, dogs, cats, or the doorbell ringing. As you find your Work at Home rhythm, you may want to adjust the chart to suit your own personal needs. However you create it, remember that The Workload List is more than words on paper, it will become a co-companion you won't be able to do without.
Article Source: http://www.bizymoms.com/expert-advice
www.virtualvocations.com