I don’t have kids, but I spent last week watching two children while trying to keep my schedule as normal as possible.

I learned two things:

1) Having a schedule for both you and the kids is key. Without it you are setting yourself up to be less than productive.

2) Even with the schedule things will still get off track.

Because I had a school-aged child as well as a newborn I got to see the full scope of things.

Newborns are newborns and you are on their schedule and that’s that.

School-aged children need to be kept busy.

What I decided to do what type up a daily schedule. I made sure I had activities for all times of the day so that I would have a chance to get some work done.

There was arts and crafts time, school work, reading time, tv time, exercise time, and so on. Keeping that schedule would probably get tiring day after day (because I had to come up with the school work and arts and crafts activities); but it’s better than having kids complaining to you every 5 minutes that they are bored.

Like I said, I don’t have kids but that was what worked for me. What has your experience been like?

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No I didn’t drop off the face of the earth, I’ve been busy making sure all my ducks are in order.

You see, while I’ve been a business owner ever since I can remember, I’ve only been free from traditional employment since 2005; and with this recession I’d like to make sure I stay there.

No more evil employment!

Back in March I wrote Have You Recession Proofed Your Home Business? If you haven’t read it, head on over, and then check out these other great posts about the topic.

Telecommuting Diva shares 5 Ways To Recession Proof Your Home Business.

Remarkable James tells How To Recession-Proof Your Business in 13 Steps; here is part two.

Biz Chicks Rule lists 9 Recession Proof Industries. While you could use this list to start a job search, if you are really savvy you might find a way to start a new business or add another aspect to your existing business.

Blevins Franks Accountants writes about Protecting The Small Business From Recession. My favorite tip is “Try and find additional income streams so that the hit isn’t so big if you lose one.”

It can be tough, but by staying ahead of the curve, keeping up with trends, and diversifying like crazy you can watch your home business grow and avoid returning to employment.

Good luck!

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I didn’t have time to do this, I didn’t have time to do that, I’ve been so busy that I forgot…sound familiar?

If it does, it’s time to cut it out and start being more productive.

No excuses! The time is there if you make it.

I’ve gone back and fourth between having a schedule, and not having one and there are some big differences.

No schedule

I get a lot done but something usually gets left behind. I’ll invest a lot of effort into a few key tasks, tasks that I enjoy. The things that I don’t want to do, I put off…and off…and off yet I feel so productive because I’m still getting things accomplished.

Schedule

I get a ton of work done and it gets done quickly. The day goes by faster because I have a checklist already set and there’s no time to twiddle my thumbs. Best of all nothing gets neglected. My day is filled with variety and my overall bottom line increases because I’m not only focusing on what I like to do, but I am also focusing on what I need to do.

If you find yourself just floating along flapping your wings, here’s what I recommend you do.
more…

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