The weather here in New York is getting chilly, rainy, and dark. Kind of like the economy and the news; a typical fall and winter. Thumper’s work load is becoming enormous, while mine is steady. So I can’t complain too much. Besides, it wouldn’t do me any good.

Managing our work load is a process still in motion. Thumper is in a highly creative world. His passion for his work is inspiring. While many dislike their jobs, both him and I are are happily satisfied with our choices. Being entrepreneurs working from home seems to be an around-the-clock job though – as if we didn’t know that earlier.

The benefits of working at home

• You are able to work in a more relaxed atmosphere, with less distractions. Or maybe more, if you’re not disciplined enough.
• You can put on some music and let the day begin. Thumper requires tuneage. He says music gets his creative juices flowing. We both love Jazz (but not only), so this works very well for us.
• After you have refined your priorities (clients and tasks), you can cozy in with your work day.
• You make your own schedule. This is a good thing.
• If you don’t have appointments you don’t need makeup (if you are a business woman). You can shower and wear something comfortable. You don’t have to worry about your business attire, your hair, or your makeup.

I like to schedule appointments all in one or two days. That way, it is done and over with. I do find it essential to email or phone clients on a regular basics though – just the meetings can all be neatly packed away into a timeframe which you are able to control.

And, unless I know there is something urgent in my mailbox, I don’t feel guilty about taking some time to wake up. I like to have two cups of tea, and maybe breakfast, while reading my favorite blogs.

What can throw you off

Being your own boss takes self discipline, motivation, and setting goals for yourself as well as your business. There are a few drawbacks that only deserve to be called that way until you take care of them – therefore it is important that you know about them early.

• It can act as a hurdle if you are not used to setting your own goals and time frames, or getting your sweet lazy butt off the couch and focusing on work instead.
• Recording everything is very important. I am much better at this when it comes to work – not for other things though. Usually, Thumper has to tell me my log-in or password for some of my accounts online because I didn’t write them down.
• You must not make yourself available 24/7. It isn’t like you have a time clock to punch in and out – you also have to communicate this to your clients. This becomes an issue especially when you have international clients.
• Eating food. You would think eating wouldn’t be a problem. We both get so focused in work, we actually forget. Just the other day, I had one serving of grapes and cheese to Thumper’s 3 cups of coffee. We went to bed so tired. So the next day, in order to compensate for it, we made grilled cheese with tomato soup for breakfast.

  One solution to this problem (if you don’t want to cook every day) is making a large meal when you do have the time, so that you have leftovers. Also, I usually wash and cut up fresh vegetables right after I buy them. I store them in individual containers. That is very handy when you eat a lot of salads.

• Eating healthy food. In addition to eating at all, you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Even with little time on your hands, you need to go for healthy food instead of fast food. I have written about this before.

  Also add fresh fruits and nuts with salads. This makes you more productive – fruit is a stimulant. I am not a coffee drinker; I eat fruit when I feel sluggish. Keep some visually handy on the counter.

A couple more tips

Remembering
When all messages are sent to your voice mail or phone service, remember to check them the same day. This I am guilty of at least once a week – I forget to check messages. Add Blueberries, the brain saving fruit to your shopping list to circumvent that

Posture
Something that is necessary are regular eye exercises, and remembering to sit up in the correct posture when working. You can prevent headaches and muscle stress if you have the computer and your chair at the right height.

Sleep
This is always a problem. There is a whine down time your body needs after working. If you can’t settle down and relax, you might experience disruptive intervals in your sleep. You could end up tossing and turning most of the night.

Temptations
Yes, when you have your significant other around you 24/7, it is often a temptation to disturb him or her at the most inappropriate times. I have learned to say first “hit save, darling”. I learned this the hard way. I never intentionally meant to make him more work, but sometimes, the computer decides to crash at the worst time.

Pet odors
I am always aware when it is time to clean the litter boxes. We have four cats and a dog. This results in odors we may have become immune to, along with hair follicles on the carpet. I am endlessly vacuuming to prevent any unwanted trace of my pets to be an embarrassing moment if a client stops in.

Recently, I found a use for old coffee beans. Very simple – take a pillar candle and put it inside of a clear hurricane vase, then pour the coffee beans around the candle. When you light the candle, you will gradually smell the aroma of the coffee beans.

Exercising
Before Thumper I would run every day, I had a Yoga and Pilates workout after my running exercise. Now I am down to three times a week. This is still enough to keep my weight maintained. Scheduling it is what is totally different now – it is when I have the time, not a specific day.

Socializing
Thumper and I have become homebodies. Our empire is here. We have several friends, family and acquaintances we stay in touch with. We value them all. Life’s treasures are true friends and a devoted family.

It has also become evident how well Thumper knows my moods, and vice versa. I know when a project is weighing heavy on his mind, and he knows my kicky behavior is the onset of PMS.

One of our favorite pastimes is when we read a book together. We also find cooking together enjoyable.

Hobbies
There is not much time for something you would classify as a hobby anymore since I became a “citizen of the blogophere”. I write and read more in my spare time.

And finally:
Our dog suffers from separation anxiety. He literally howls pathetically when he is home alone. He got so used to always having someone around. I guess I should be thankful though that he has never been destructive, like in some cases I have read about.

I would like to leave you with this video of our beloved Sarah Palin and her take on people who blog. I hope you enjoy this. Keep in mind this is a woman who has no concept when it comes to politics, but is a governor.