Thea Westra, Forward Steps
Tell Us About Your Business
At Forward Steps I publish and share lots of positive content to keep us stepping forward, adding wings to our unique life journey.
What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working from Home?
The freedom to work when inspiration strikes, even if that might be late evening or super early morning. Plus to be able to say yes to friends who might want to meet for a quick cuppa during the week.
What One Piece of Advice Would You Give to Women Getting Started Working from Home?
You might not want daily structure and if that’s not you, then let go and simply set targets for each day and week. Have 3 or 4 main goals and align all your daily actions to meet those overriding targets. When going into Facebook or emails, set a timer and do those activities AFTER you’ve completed a couple of larger projects for the day. Set up the actions of your days such that YOU feel accomplished and satisfied at the end of each day. Every night before bed, write 6 “must do” tasks for the next day and clear your desk of anything left over from today. Also, be sure to have a distinct work space, separate from living spaces. I know, that’s more than one piece of advice! I’m sure I could write a book full of ideas & tips.
Anything Else You’d Like to Share?
Get to know yourself and what REALLY works for you. Try out different work day structures and also learn to read the signs for when you need to get out of the house for a bit. 
Thank you, Thea, for sharing your wisdom and your business!
Thea, this is such great advice! A lot of things us WAHM’s sometimes lose focus of. Something I also do before going to bed is writing down at least 5 things I am grateful for that day – whether it’s accomplishing something, just being grateful for my family … sometimes I have only 5 sometimes I have more
I am using my smartphone for a timer with my facebook and twitter time .. time to go by a kitchen timer I think.
Kimberly ~ Gypsy recently posted..Thank You!
Thanks Kimberly.
Yes, I have a cheap little kitchen timer at my desk & it works just great for those timed activities.
Thea Westra recently posted..Dayenu, Enough For Us
Twitter: HelzDesign
says:
nice advices about structuring and goals!
i am completely in with the certain thought of freedom, but it needs a lot of self-discipline too.
helen recently posted..Getting to know each other
Thank you, Helen. Yep, priority management is very important.
Thea Westra recently posted..The Power Of Positive Emotions
Loved ALL of the tips. Thanks for your generous sharing.
Thank you Donna.
Twitter: melaniekissell
says:
Exemplary advice, Thea — kudos to you!
“You might not want daily structure and if that’s not you, then let go and simply set targets for each day and week.” Agreed! I’ve been a single mom for many years and one thing I know, for sure, is the best laid plans can (and will!) fall by the wayside. For me, “flexibility” has been the only way to fly.
Appreciate your tip about looking for signs that it’s time to take a break. That’s actually a big goal of mine this year — something I haven’t done in the past. I’m the guiltiest party on earth when it comes to being glued to my work — online and offline. I’m going to begin easing up a bit by “unplugging” for the majority of the day on Sundays and ultimately work toward taking the entire weekend off. I deserve it!
Delighted to meet you and I’m totally jazzed Michelle created this site. She’s a keeper!
Melanie Kissell recently posted..Vacationing In Burnout-ville
Thank you Melanie. I wrote a response to your excellent blog post too.
Cheers, Thea
Thea Westra recently posted..Amazing What Coffee Can Teach Us About Life!