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Personal and Professional Life At Home...

By
Services for Real Estate Pros

When you first start your home business, everything is great. Your excited and eager to get the ball rolling. You set a goal, a plan and talk it over with our family, who in return are excited for you as well. You may get tingles down your spine just at the thought of being able to work in your pajamas and never, ever having to worry about that commute, getting stuck in traffic jams or having to leave a bit early just to avoid the jams, spending more time with your family as well. Having a home office can be all of those wonderful things but can be a whole lot more as well.

Keeping a balance between your personal home life and your professional home life can put challenges on you. It can be tough to have work just a few inches or a few feet away from you while your enjoying that quality time with loved ones. It can be real easy to get sucked up into it and let it consume all of your time.

But you have to remember your business is your business and your family is your family. Even though they both co-exist under the same roof together, keep yourself organized and maintain a good balance between the two. Set up hours for yourself to work and spend the rest of the time with your family, relax and enjoy your life!

Jennifer Hartwick
Crane and Crane Real Estate - Columbia, MO

Talking about working in your pajamas.  I actually got out of mine today right before I met my husband for dinner!  Many appointments this weekend so I kept the day open. My problem is expecting to handle household chores why catching up on prospecting.  Start laundry, check e-mail.  Load dishes, check my voice mail.  Return some calls, etc. etc.,,,

 

Nov 30, 2007 04:10 PM
Marey Hoeppner
Kalamazoo, MI
Your Success Is Our Goal!
I hear ya Jennifer. Oh yeah, we can't let the household chores go. That is always fun, I would rather work though! lol
Nov 30, 2007 04:14 PM
Mark Horan
Resident Team Realty, LLC & Toni's Property Management LLC - Saint Cloud, FL
"The Resident Chef" - Resident Team Realty LLC &
Marey- I have my computer right next to the TV. I use to sit with my wife and answer email at commercials. I would work until the wee hours of the morning while my spouse slept. I year ago I moved my office into my brokers office. All business email auto down load into Outlook on my office computer. I sometimes leave home in the middle of the night to go to the office, and usually one day on the weekend. Since I have moved my office to my brokers office, It is easier to keep the two separate. You definitely need down time.
Nov 30, 2007 04:37 PM
Susan Walters
Keller Williams Realty, Ann Arbor, MI - Ann Arbor, MI
Some of us are better at the separation.  Right now, I am reading and responding to AR blogs and some of the dishes that may or may not be from Thanksgiving are still in the kitchen on the counter.  OK, the Thanksgiving remark is related to the Thanksgiving leftovers.  The turkey finally completely surrendered yesterday.  But you know what?  I made that meal almost completely by myself.  My family is still mastering the concept that it is not my job to also clean up.  I work full-time now.  It's been 3 years!
Nov 30, 2007 05:01 PM
Marey Hoeppner
Kalamazoo, MI
Your Success Is Our Goal!
Mark, I know what you mean. We all need downtime or we will get burnt out!
Nov 30, 2007 05:25 PM
Marey Hoeppner
Kalamazoo, MI
Your Success Is Our Goal!
Susan, I have been doing the same thing here. Trying to have the family realize that I am not the only one who is capable of cleaning up. I am still working on that one! Eventually it will sink in. Had alot of Thanksgiving leftovers myself that finally just took a end.  If i eat any more turkey I will be the one going "gobble, Gobble"
Nov 30, 2007 05:27 PM