WORK-AT-HOME: THE BEGINNING

Okay, so you've decided to work-at-home, what's next?

Working at home can be done by anyone BUT it is not meant for everyone; especially if you would like to be a work-at-home mom.

Finding work is the easy part. Online opportunities abound. However, to be effective in this endeavor, one must learn effective time management, the ability to say NO, and designate a specific workplace.

When your home also serves as your "office", it is common for "home duties" to interfere with work. Being at home 24/7 means you are bound to see things that need your attention. Stop. Make a priority list and manage your time wisely. There should be a clear line separating working hours from household chores. Absence of an effective time management system will result to haphazard work on both fronts - work and home - and will also be so nerve wracking and stressful that you are better off working outside your home.

Your ability to say NO is also crucial for your online success. A lot of people who are so used to the "traditional" way of earning money think that just because you stay at home they can bother you anytime. Treat it as you would any other "office" job. Although the kids are within earshot, resist the temptation of standing up from your workplace to look after them. Ask somebody to help you with the kids during "working" hours. Limit calls from friends and relatives. You are busy earning money so be firm in letting them know when you are free to have longer chats with them.

The need for a definite work area will, in a way, condition both your mind and body to buckle up and do business. A laptop may be convenient to bring anywhere around the house but if you can't stay in one place for as long as it takes to finish your task, then I strongly recommend you use that ol' reliable desktop computer.

Everything is settled? Then, congratulations! You are now ready to WAH (work-at-home)!

Now, what??? (Blog content)

Okay, so I've started this blog. Now what will you find here?

Hmmm . . .

Aside from the rants and ravings and occasional musing of a work-at-home mom, I plan to primarily let this serve as a guide to those who would like to work at home but don't know what to do.

Here, you'll read about my personal journey in finding ways of creating a full time income online. I may make some wrong decisions along the way but you, my readers, will benefit more from learning from my mistakes.

And when I can no longer wrack my brain on what topic to write about, I may ask my kids to be my guest writers (I'm sure my daughter will love this!).

'Til next time . . .

I FINALLY DID IT !!!

Yes, finally I got everything together and created this blog! It's a fitting Mother's Day gift to myself (hehehe). I procrastinated long enough.

What prompted me to do this? For starters, I learned that blogging can bring in that much needed extra moolah without being too time consuming. Another reason is that I really love writing and I think it's time that I share my thoughts to a much bigger audience than my family.

That's it for now ...

I know, I know, this entry is really way too short for someone who profess to love the written word but I promise to write more in the coming days. Right now, mommy duty calls.