Working from home is a blessing. I am grateful that in-between coaching calls I get to emerge from my office and steal kisses from my kids. I get to be here when they get home from school, hear about my children’s day and connect with them for 10 minutes before they go out to play. I have also found that as much as it is a blessing I have had to learn to manage the interruptions. At times the interruptions are a welcomed break but other times…. lets just say they can get me off track especially when I am working on something creative or even better a task I have been resisting doing anyway.
My Mom cares for my children when I am working and I find that I still get pulled off task when the kids are crying, demanding something or when they don’t like the response they are getting from Grandma. Here are a few of my strategies and mindsets I use to deal with the interruptions.
- Schedule breaks where you can connect with kids and give them your full attention. This helps me stay focused on business when I should be working and my children when I am with them. Watch for my video Overcoming Mommy Guilt to be posted real soon.
- Set clear ground rules for your work time with your children. If my office door is closed it is a clear sign that kids do not enter! I am often working on the phone with coaching clients that deserve my full attention and my kids now understand that I am off limits during this time unless there is an emergency. When I am working without childcare my office door is open and they know office visits are allowed.
- Create a work mindset (more on this later.) I focus on the outcome I am working on, trust that my children are being cared for and that my Mom can handle all the upsets.
- Admission- Loud screaming and crying really get to me. During these times I take a deep breath and ask myself “Do I really need to solve this? Do they really need me right now?” More often than not the answer to these questions is a big fat NO. My children are just fine, it will all blow over in a few minutes and I do not welcome this interruption to get me upset or off task. Next, I need to make a decision, do I leave my office or stay on task?
- Sometimes I make the choice to leave the office to find out the problem. In the past I would engage with my kids angry for the interruption. My new habit is to first remember that I am choosing to get involved, center myself and enter the upset with my kids from a calm place. I know when I do this the interruption is significantly shorter and we come to a solution and a hug much quicker.
- When I am ready to get back on task I always start with “what is my outcome right now?” Asking a question always grants me an answer. This allows to get back on track and engaged in what I am working on.
- Last I remind myself daily that I GET to work from home. It is indeed a blessing and the truth is I wouldn’t have it any other way.