One of the things that amazed me when I started working from home about six years ago is how truly busy I was then (and still am). Sure, better time management could help me a little bit. I've written posts about time management before, and that's not my topic today.
(Who among us couldn't benefit by improving their time management skills? One of my "secret" vices is that I'm hooked on productivity blogs. I can't seem to get enough of sites like Know More Media's Productivity Goal, Lifehacker, and Dumb Little Man. In fact, unless it's just horribly done, my first response to finding a new productivity blog is to think to myself, "what a great blog," and bookmark it.)
However, I've learned to come to terms with something that I never realized as an OWM (and especially before I had kids) - there's truly a lot to do when you work from home. My busyness is NOT a result of my poor time management skills or my incompetency. It's real! There really is a lot to do!
I guess that I initially thought that by cutting out my two hours of commuting each day I would somehow get more disretionary time. Alas, it was not to be. The time that I don't spend working on my business I spend running errands for my family or managing my household.
Of course, every parent is busy. It comes with the territory. In fact, I'm sure that many (if not all) parents would describe themselves as busy (if not extremely busy).
My point with all of this is that I read a lot of blog and forum posts written by WAHMs. I often see them apologizing for being busy as though they are somehow to blame for it. It's as though they think that their busyness is somehow a failing on their part.
I want to say them: STOP! Don't apologize for being busy. Your busyness is not your fault. Just adjust your schedule around what you have to do to the best of your ability and don't feel ashamed or embarrassed by the fact that you have a full schedule.
Embrace Your Busyness!
What about you? Are you busy?
Leave a comment and let us know.
Great post! No matter how hard we try to free up our schedule, it seems as if busyness is inevitable. I don't have children. Yet, I feel as if I'm always doing something. I have to commend every WAHM. I'm tired and overwhelmed without children - I don't know how I would be able to juggle motherhood and my other responsibilities.
Posted by: Valencia | February 21, 2008 5:43 PM | Permalink to Comment