For those who work at a home-based businesses, maintaining an efficient work pace is crucial for fiscal success. Today, these piecemeal workers may need to produce more work for less cost in order to keep up with the market. I found that to accomplish this I don't necessarily need to work longer, just more efficiently. These are my new rules for more efficient work.
My number one problem is that I set unrealistic goals for my working hours. I may have four hours to sit alone in my office and work, but I have fourteen unfinished projects. Somehow, I begin my working shift believing that I will complete all of these. In reality, I finish one project and make headway on another before my time is up, and I leave feeling frustrated with myself.
To counter this, I post goals on my desk each week.With the help of a wipe-off board, I make realistic goals for each week. Then, on the second half of the board, I list what other tasks I accomplish during the week. I reference it at the end of the week to see what my productivity rate really was. Maybe I didn't make much headway on an existing proposal, but I did acquire three new ones this week.
Even if the auction is ending in an hour, there is no time for eBay during the workday. I try to fool myself and say that the item for bid is part of my research, but that doesn't mean that surfing the listings for historical documents up for bid will further my work. It's easy to sit in front of a computer with every intention of working and end up frittering away your working hours on entertainment. Check the news feeds, auctions, personal e-mails, and store sales after your work is complete; it can be your reward.
For those who work based on piecework, time on task is important. One evening I found myself putting three hours into a project that I anticipated, and charged, to take one hour of research. It wasn't that the research wasn't available and I'd underestimated my work; it was that I was letting it distract me. While researching I found an interesting fact, interesting to me but not the project at hand. I clicked on that link which led to another link then another, and soon my time was lost. Instead, bookmark the interesting link or make note of it for another time and then focus on the task at hand and only that task. Work with the limitation in mind: I bid for two hours' work, so I need to sit for two hours and have the project finished in that time.
Whether it's literal housekeeping or office housekeeping, this is not what's paying your bills. Two hours of your workday should not be spend cleaning my office or tackling random tasks. How easy is it to put off work in lieu of cleaning your desk? We've convinced ourselves that a clear desk equals a clear mind; in reality it's procrastination. Instead, budget two hours once a week to do housekeeping tasks and stick to this time limit.
It's easier to punch in and out of a typical office, but in the at-home office a person works in small, punctuated shifts. This leads to a point where work and personal life show little distinction and a day off will never come. Instead, budget a free day to rejuvenate yourself. For me, Fridays are spent doing personal tasks rather than work tasks. It eliminates the build up of tasks and stress, and it keeps personal tasks from creeping into my working time. I've learned to work more efficiently, and I have more time at the end of the day thanks to it.
Working from home makes sense for more workers as the cost of gas continues to rise. Telecommuting, whether for a few days a week or a month or even full time, is an option for many office jobs that your firm may consider if it's presented in the right light. Here's how to turn your gig into a stay at home position.
Before you approach your boss, inquire at your company's human resource office about an existing telecommuting policy. If no official policy is in place, check with co-workers or those in other departments to find others who are working from home.
If you haven't already done so, set up a home office with computer, internet connection, telephone and fax, or draw up plans including cost and timeframe, to do so.
Lay the groundwork for a discussion by preparing a written recap of how much money and time you spend commuting. Break it down into a daily, weekly and monthly amount. Advertise the potential benefits to your employer by listing how this time and money will be better invested in your productivity at home. Don't forget to emphasize the quality of life factor. Less stress due to fewer hours in traffic will make you a more efficient and happier employee.
Suggest a "wait and see" period of 30 to 90 days, or test the water by telecommuting one or two days a week. Offer to check in by phone, email or conference call at regularly scheduled intervals.
By Claire Bush
I would like to work from home. I am a mortgage broker. Any ideas?
Bill
By pamala woodward (Guest Post)
05/03/2008
Visit pamsparadisetravels.com & click on presentation. Many of my friends that are realtors, brokers, insurance agents, & title reps have used this site to now be financially free from simply working from home for about 2 years! Hope this helps.
I am interested in working from home, there are so many ads online, but almost all want money paid up front. For a person who has no job, it is difficult to pay upfront with the risk of not making money at all from all these ads. Is there a way to start a business from home without a down payment, or payment after you start to make money?
Thanks.
By Helen from Orlando, FL
By T&T Grandma
01/17/2011
The Att General office and BBB say about 95% of those out there are fake. Do not pay money to 'join'. Go to your state's BBB to check them out. Some are not legal in certain states. Meaning they ticked the states AG off and got the door slammed on them!
Does anyone have information on home based jobs? Can I make money stuffing envelopes?
Vonate
By Poor But Proud
12/13/2009
All are great ideas. Reselling is perfect.
I sell on Craigslist and leave eBay alone most of the time. It's pricey and you have to deal with shipping, feedback that might be negitive even if it wasn't your fault.
For example, I bought a 2.49 unopened crewel kit last week, and sold it the next day for 6.00. I didn't have to do anything but bring it home.
I meet people at a nice coffee shop just 1/2 a block from me, they make a bit of my money on a mocha, my home is still secure, and everyone is happy.
If you have a good sized garage, you can also have a sale every other month...inviting your neighbors and charging them 10%. This helps you and them by making some money for them and you both.
If you are crafty, make small things and sell them on artfire.com and etsy.com leaving the website fees and responsibility to others who have the time and money to run the sites.
If you are good at editing, fix resumes and proofread manuscripts or college essays. If you love computer work, you can take a course in medical and legal billing, and stay home and work from your desk.
Do you have a nice voice? In some states, they will pay you to read for the blind or audio books.
Be a critter sitter if you have a nice big yard and live in the country (most neighbors don't like a lot of dogs barking)...or just do cats. I know a lady in Salem OR who has a cat condo and is doing nicely.
Sewing and altering is also a great idea as mentioned, or make doll clothes and sell them. If you crochet, you can make specialty sets like mufflers and caps for kids, sweaters for pets, or get paid by other crafters to roll yarn, cut out fabric, etc.
Once, I hired my sister to do the small things that I didn't have time to do, and it gave her some money and me some time.
The best advice is to know what you love to do, see it there is a market, start out slow and cheap, and find or create your niche.
Please tell us all when you find it so we know we were part of something creative for you??
Sincerely,
Sandi
Poor But Proud
How can I start online work and make money while working at home on my PC?
By Khawar
By reader99
04/20/2013
A place to start is at Amazon's Mechanical Turk. They have a wide variety of tasks. None pay well but you can work it at your convenience. www.mturk.com/mturk/welcome
There are also paid to click sites like swagbucks.com and mypoints.com
None of these are get rich quick schemes but I've made as much as $20 in a day on Mechanical Turk.
A friend of mine in SC needs a job she can work at from home. A medical problem (circulatory) warrants that she stay off of her feet (that cut out her cashier job). She does have a computer and access to the internet. Any legitimate job opportunities out there that you know of? Thanks.
KCC from Canton, NC
By madisonandco
By Lewis (Guest Post)
By Ali, AMF Typing Services, South Africa.
By By By sfrench1124 (Guest Post) (02/07/2006)
By ThriftyFun By By Renee (Guest Post)
But it is a process and I am only part of the way through, but should start working soon. I read that If you want to work from home that you need multiple streams of income. Do you have any hobbies that you could turn into a profit? There are lots of craft fairs that do not cost a lot of money to enter. Craftlister.com is a good place to find them.
Do you have a marketable skill? Advertise for your skills. Barter if you can. The Mompack is a great place to ask for advise on starting a business. You may even want to find a group that meets regarding working from home, such as VendorCentralUSA, or WAHMFest, or if there aren't any groups that meet in your area, start one. The information you get from other work at home people will get you started on the right path.
Advertise your business in local community business boards and community happenings in the local papers. Print up some flyers and put on cars, in the local supermarkets, Walmarts, etc. There are lots of opportunities out there just research, research, research. Use the internet, it is your best tool.
By Angie (Guest Post) (03/20/2006)
By ThriftyFun By Pamm By michelleh By camo_angels
What are some of the best "work from home" jobs?
By susan4516 from Rhome, TX
By kffrmw88 All these questions may not seem like an answer, but the bottom line is you have to look at what you enjoy, what you can afford, and what others need. Sometimes the best at home job for others might bore you to tears. You may love to sew, but is your sewing room a corner when you can't see the machine for boxes of projects? Do you love to help others on line, but can't stand to have anyone over for coffee? These are all things you need to know.
If you love to make dry mixes, don't need a certified kitchen, love to go to the local markets and sell on line that would be perfect. If you hate to cook and don't sew, but can crochet like the dickens and know someone with a booth already, that might be a way to start. Put an add in the local paper that you can be a crafters helper. Cut out fabric, roll yarn, shop for them, sell for them, etc.
If you love eBay, be good enough at it to be a seller for those who don't know it or are too busy. Have a nice garage on a busy street or an old barn out in the country. Rent the space out for garage or auction sellers.
Just take a look at your life and ask yourself:
Take the time to do these things and you can never go wrong later. Remember those who don't do well in business find this out too late that "It is not those who plan to fail, but those who fail to plan". Good luck. (08/12/2009)
By dameemag Be careful of the people who want money to get you started. They send you a packet of how to advertise for money to send others the same packet. Scam. (08/14/2009)
By pjcustar There are more sites with job links to home jobs. Go to these sites, read the forums, ask questions and you will find a great work at home job. you will also find out how the jobs have worked for others, like if the company is good at paying, treats workers well, etc. (08/22/2009)
By BookeesmomRE: Working At Home
Why not search the internet for the various Virtual Assistant groups and join the forums and learn about the working from home. Virtual Assistants, start their own businesses working from home offering services like typing, transcription, web design, bookkeeping, etc. You can learn a lot by joining the various forums and hopefully join the groups. If you have the experience this could be a good stepping stone to starting your own business from home. Regards.
RE: Working At Home
How about contacting a local school or college? You could help with admin or type student's papers for a fee.
RE: Working At Home
Since you said "graphics" and have a bit of money to get started, you could also advertise custom made invitations, stationary, greeting cards in bulk, business cards, etc. You would be surprised at the number of people that will pay a little extra to get something that actually has their name printed on it.
You could have them sign their name, and you could scan it and use it for graphics on the cards, stationary, etc. Just a thought. You would have to buy your card stock, business cards, etc., but once you make a sale, you can put it back into your business. Advertise. Newspapers, flyers, your own business cards, and talk, talk, talk. Your best and worst advertisement is "Word of Mouth". Good Luck.
RE: Working At Home
I work at home for the most part. I am and have been a Pampered Chef consultant for 3 years. Actually I have been able to quit my 9-5 job doing it. Have you ever thought about Home Direct Sales? I typically work 6-8 days a month and make decent income. Plus the flexibility to work around my families needs.
If you or anyone else have any questions about PC, like to know the benefits, or like to give it a try, (it couldn't hurt).
RE: Working At Home
I'm a mystery shopper and merchandiser. I am an independent contractor. Just go online and type in either word. I apply to companies online all the time. I have about 8 companies right now which is not bad considering I live in a very small town. In big cities, you can make lots of money.
RE: Working At Home
Have you tried going to www.craigslist.com? There are a lot of major cities listed, but even if your city isn't listed some of the other cities have work from home opportunities. Maybe even try a google search for work at home opportunities. There is another website that I have applied for at http://www.workathomeagent.com/. It is a call center type job from home. I chose the hours I want to work, but may not get all the hours I requested.
RE: Working At Home
I do medical transcription at home. I transcribe at night after my full-time day job. The only investment is a computer, Word software, Stedman's software, and a transcriber, and paper. I do the transcription for the office I work for. My set-up is a little different, but I can do it from home in my pj's at my convenience. (03/23/2006)
RE: Working At Home
Just a note about mystery shopping you should never, ever have to pay a fee to join. Check out www.volition.com. There are many options there. (03/25/2006)
RE: Working At Home
For mystery shoppers: try www.mysteryshopperservices.com Sign up is free (never pay to sign up anywhere) And check out mysteryshop.org that is an official website that has job databases and information on gold/silver certifications that make you more valuable, but it is not necessary. They are a great resource. Note: you will not make a lot of money on this, but it is fun if you are a snoop and opinionated like me. And are a stickler for outstanding customer service. (03/25/2006)
Working At Home
RE: Working At Home
I suggest to work at home for yourself, I use to sew for people, made good money, I put a small sign out front "I sew", if you live in town put it on your mail box, also put ads in news papers, the Market Bulletin is a very good paper to put ads in. Also ask the fabric stores near you if they need somebody to do sewing for them, I use to sew for 2 in a small town. As you know baby sitting is a way to make money, so is doing laundry for people, baking cakes, cookies, etc. Just think of what you like to do and make money doing it. Good luck. (08/12/2009)
RE: Working At Home
What is your hobby? Is it something someone has told you you should sell? Are you good at repairing everyone's resumes? Do you love to shop for those who can't get out? Can you afford a course in medical and legal billing? Do you love kids? Are you in a position to run a doggie day care?
RE: Working At Home
I have been working at home for the last 14 years, I work for a local weather vane company. I do detail painting at home, they base paint them and I detail. Check some of your local companies.
Barb (08/13/2009)
RE: Working At Home
Go to chacha.com. You work from your computer, looking up information that others have texted or called in. Like, "How old is Alice Cooper?", you return the info. You work your own hours, get paid per call you answer.
RE: Working At Home
Check out
wahm.com or
workplacelikehome.com or
ratracerebellion.com.
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Working From Home As A Mortgage Broker