If you are considering a work at home computer job, chances are you'll make your own schedule to meet your client's needs. Before you start, it's important to have solid time management techniques. One myth about work-at-home jobs in general is that you can work as much or as little as you want. This is partially true; however, the time you put in is usually proportional to the money you earn. I couldn't tell you how much money I lost at the beginning of my career before I got better at time management. Here are some tips you'll need before starting a computer job from home.
Get everyone on board. The number one key for time management in a home job is to get everyone on board. While spending time with your family is important, they can be distraction if you have work that needs to be done. It's easier when you are at an office away from home. When working from home, ensure everyone knows when you are "off" and "on".
Track your time and production rate. Take a few weeks to track everything you do when you first start out at your computer job from home. Include your whole day and not just when you are doing work. You'll be able to spot trends and peak working times. This allows you to adjust as necessary and build a good working rhythm. When I started as a freelance writer, I was spending an hour per completed article for my client. Once I found my peak working hours and conditions, I whittled that time down in half.
Take breaks. Breaks aren't just ways to escape work; they are essential for time management, especially with computer jobs or writing jobs. Since you naturally blink less when staring at computer screens, your eyes become irritated faster. Your posture, hands and arms also suffer from continuous hunching and typing. Over time, your quality of work degrades from physical limitations. Try stretching or getting fresh air at least 10 minutes for every hour you type.
Be flexible. Although you have a home job, your clients may be in a different time zone. Their sleep times may be your waking hours. Try to be flexible with your schedule so that you can have direct contact with your clients as needed. Flexibility is that one customer perk that could land you more work and great referrals. For time management, you may have to shift some duties around. Pick the ones that can be done at almost any hour, such as building your grocery list, doing laundry or light cleaning.
Eliminate distractions. Televisions, smart phones and other computer functions are easy distractors for work at home careers. While it's good to take a break, using these other technological tools can extend your break and be counterproductive. Social networks are the biggest offender. I found that when I logged into social networks to promote my articles, I would end up messaging and chatting with friends. Try to keep your social networking limited to sending links and book marking if you are working on your own stay-at-home business.
Paul Bright has published over 2,000 articles online as a freelance writer with sites like Yahoo! Voices, USA Today online and Digital Journal. He also published Write Your Life: The Beginner's Guide To Freelance Writing Online. For more free tips on writing careers from home, visit http://www.writingjobshome.com/
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