self employed/ working at home, help.

[RomanyQueen1]

hi, I'm really struggling atm and could do with some advice.

My time keeping and organisation isn't going well. I end up doing housework or answering dh or joining in with a job he's doing.
So I stopped work for a couple of days to get up to date with the domestics so I could have a clear start on monday, I need tips to help me stay on track with my business.
Eventually most of the work will be outside the home, but for now the project is only just starting and is office based.
So how do you do it?

I work at home 1-2 days a week. Generally as soon as DD is out the door at 8.45, I make a coffee and go into the office and start work.

If I want to take advantage of being home and do some laundry, then I put that on first, but I always make sure I am in the office at 9am.

You need to make it clear to DH that you are working and that you are not to be interrupted. If you have any jobs to do, keep them minimal and do them before you start work, or give yourself a later start time each day, but stick to it.

Give yourself a set lunch break, or within reason if you are in the middle of something and want to finish it, grab some lunch, then straight back to work.

You just need to be tough on yourself and those around you.

Aw, thank you. I know it sounds obvious but I really struggle with this.
Also, I should have put in the OP, but how do you work out how long to spend on each task?
E.g applying for funding, research and development, writing a script, (which is a one off). What I mean is what helps you decide, how do you prioritise.

Personally I make a list of everything that needs doing , on the computer first because I type quick, and you can add to it and reorder it etc, then I copy it manually in order onto a bright yellow To Do list pad, usually just the client's name and job - so say

SMITH - VAT
BOB - TAX RETURN
ALAN - ACCOUNTS

I find that it catches my eye and also I work down the list in order, so you do get the most important things out of the way first. I also find it important to finish one task completely before starting another.

The length thing is tricky to say for you because I don't know how long it would take to do a task, but for myself, I know that a VAT return for a small client should take 4 hours. I know that a tax return should take 1 and so on, and so allocate my time accordingly.

I keep a timesheet every day of the hours that I work on each client, so that I can either bill them hourly, or keep track of how long a job takes, so that I can see if my bills are high enough.

Wow thank you. I won't have regular clients, more one offs, but the idea of keeping track how long a task takes is great advice

I just have a simple timesheet , with date, client, description of work and start and finish times, with the final column stating the hours worked. if I do several things for 1 client, I can break it down, so payroll 1, vat 3, accounts 2, etc, so that I don't just write 6 hours and then think, what the hell did I do .

If you start to record it as well, you will see a pattern of how long a regular task takes, and then you can quote for that accordingly.

Firstly, prioritise alone time for work so you limit distraction. I do most of mine when my husband and daughter are at school / work - then pick up most of the chores when they are home. I hate being interrupted when I'm working, but don't mind if I'm cleaning up etc.

I get what you mean about being distracted in general. I like to keep my house clean and on top of things so I can easily be persuaded to stop working and do something else.

I tend to allow myself time in the morning, even if just half an hour... to whip round, tidy up and get some breakfast etc. I put washing in the night before and on a delayed timer so it's washed and done first thing - can be put out right away.

Another tip is to block out your time, allowing breaks in between. This will allow you to manage your work load and I find knowing "I have an hour to do on this now" helps keep you focused and on schedule.

I do intensive blocks.

So I write my to do list for the day and number them in order of importance. Then I see how long it would take to do task 1, set aside the time and do it without interruptions. Then I have a break. Then go onto task 2 etc.

Tbh that's on a good day. I have my fair share of coasting days but I've found I need them.

Work from a co-working space.