Flexible Friday

Friday, May 30, 2008, by Sherra

Running a home business for more than 20 years has given me a lot of freedom and fun.

The best part for me has always been the flexibility.

I have always loved to set my own schedule. I am a night owl by nature and the structure of a nine to five job was something I never enjoyed. I know myself well enough to know that my internal clock makes me most productive when most other people are usually going to bed. It’s also why I’m glad I have a few friends on the West Coast!

Being your own boss and/or working from home is a dream that many people have. But I have often shared that the dream can become
the nightmare if you don’t give yourself some structure and boundaries.

Since The Grunter was born 18+ years ago, I have always been a full-time mom first and a home-based business owner second.

The structure I set for myself many years ago was setting up daily theme days. Anyone who knows me knows I have to keep things simple. Complicated means confusing and coma patients really don’t like to be more confused than necessary!

Back in the day with three toddlers, naptime, preschool, 5:00 meltdown, etc., my theme days went something like this…

Monday

“Me” Day…this was the day I got a babysitter or later kept them in an aftercare program at school so I could play golf. Often, I went and played 18 holes all by myself. Some Mondays I had lunch with friends. If it was a rainy day, I curled up at home with a good book or a few magazines. I did NOT clean the house or do any kind of work!

Tuesday & Thursday

“Telephone” Day…a good part of my business was and still is spent on the phone. I learned that I didn’t have to answer the phone when it rang. I could return calls on Tuesday and Thursday. I could make business-building calls on those days.

Wednesday

“Wacko” Day…this was the day I made lists and ran around running errands and doing all those little things that piled up throughout the week. It always felt like a crazy day but crazy didn’t start with “W” and Errand Wednesday didn’t fit my theme week. This is where this form really came in handy because I wrote on it throughout the week and then took it with me on Wednesdays.

Friday

“Finances & Family” Day…Since Friday was usually pay day for PhilBillPaul and I always had bookkeeping tasks related to my business, I handled that kind of stuff on Friday. Friday night was reserved for pizza or tacos or whatever “fun” food the kids wanted to have. Then we’d play a game or rent a movie.

So now with these three teenagers and the nine year-old, most every day feels like Wacko Wednesday and my theme days seem to have disappeared.

It got me thinking as I’ve been working on this website and a few other web business ideas with a good friend, I should re-institute my theme days.

I also remember how many moms of multiples and other home-based business moms have told me how my “theme” days have helped them. It really is hard work to be at home without a boss or some structure. It’s easy for the days to all blend together and feel unproductive.

So as we start this summer and I know the benefits of setting boundaries for myself, I bring you “Flexible Friday.”

It’s a running joke with a few friends who will understand when I say this loudly…

“I AM THE MOST FLEXIBLE ONE IN THIS GROUP.”

Which is a big lie. Well, I guess it depends on the group I am in. :)

“Flexible Friday” for me means that I’m going to quit stressing about what to write about on Fridays. For some reason, I feel the most self-imposed pressure.

“Flexible Friday” will hereby be a day where I am free to blog about four or five fascinating or fabulous or free or fun or favorite facts (or fiction) I FEEL like writing about.

Are you feeling my theme? And because I’m sooooo flexible, I’m starting Flexible Friday…next Friday. Hush already, I don’t need the pressure.

I also hereby institute MONDAY ME DAY for every MOM who doesn’t schedule a day for herself. Come on, you can do it!

(Okay, start with a ME hour if the day concept is freaking your inner martyr.)

I really want to hear from every woman who has a ME day and I also want to hear from all of you who are now adding a ME day to your life! Click on the comment button and make a commitment to YOURSELF–you are worth it. Share it with us here!

Your ME day doesn’t have to be on Monday…see, I’m flexible like that.

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6 Responses to “Flexible Friday”

Sherra,
I am also lucky enough to work from my home but have the added responsibility of having to report my actions to the company I represent. They don’t really appreciate a ME DAY - go figure. However, they are on one side of the state and I am on the other so in the interest of retaining my sanity, I try not to schedule any appointments for Thursdays. :)

When I first started in this business six years ago, it was a difficult transition because alot of my friends thought that since I was working at home I wasn’t REALLY working. I learned that I not only had to set boundaries for myself, but for my friends as well. I think this is an important lesson for anyone wanting to start a home-based business.

Keep up the good work!
Kerri

I schedule a little “me” time every day. Usually, it’s my exercise time but I always feel so much better when I’ve finished. I am a list maker, and its rewarding to cross that off my list every day. Plus, after I’ve set those endorphins loose in my body, I feel I can tackle most of the yucky stuff that’s left to do in the day. I think I will start using the theme days again too! Each day’s theme will begin as soon as I’ve had my “me” time for the day!

Kerri » Thursday sounds like a *secret* ME day! You are so right about working at home and people not really understanding that you actually do WORK at home.

Wendy » Love that you’re planning ME time each DAY!!

Flexible…Sherra….that is a good one! From one person that likes control and schedule to another I recognize your spirit and understand where you are coming from. I especially appreciate how you made the letters of the week match your theme for the day. What a simple way to remember what tasks are ahead…that is, if you know what day it is! (I admit, sometimes I forget that in the monotony of life.) I think I will definitely adapt a similar lay out for myself. Thanks for the great ideas Sherra.

My “ME” time is definately a scheduled event. I try to get away from the house, ALONE, and do some of the things on my to do list. Not always a fun task but it makes me feel like I have accomplished something and wandering around Target is always a spirit lifter.
I also try to get a scrapbooking night once a month. This is a GNO and is good for the morale. We don’t always get a lot done but we have fun and have a chance to talk.
It seems everyday life (laundry, dinner, taxi service for the children, etc.) can be daunting and at times makes you want to stay in bed with the covers pulled over your head. Knowing I have some “ME” time set aside helps.

Good luck being more flexible!

Tammy » I gotta make things easy or I can’t remember anything. Sometimes I have to ask people what day it is so I understand completely!

Diane » Target by yourself is a treat for any mother :) Glad you’re scheduling ME time!

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