Time management is always a MAJOR issue when you work from home, freelance, work on a contract basis or run your own business. It’s very easy to get side-tracked from what’s important. One of the things my mentor David Ledoux always instilled in me is… Tracking what takes up most of my time. Basically taking a notepad and writing down how much time I spend on activities. WHY? Avoid Frustration and wasted time!

By knowing how much time you spend on things you can then look at what’s most important and make a suitable timetable which will allow you to dedicate more time to such activities.  BONUS - You’ll also be able to tell how much of your valuable time is being spent “wasted”. Things that distracts you. Things you can avoid doing. Also consider this - even though something is important or cash generating, does not mean it should take up most of your time. This is when you should consider getting some additional help.

In my next post, I’ll share another great tip to help you achieve more in 2008

I’d say about 90% who work from home don’t have an office party to go to this year. For the 10% or so that do live close enough to attend the company’s Christmas party, be warned…

Style over Substance

You’ve been starving yourself all week to fit into your slinky little party dress, and 20 minutes into the night, you find yourself face-down in a platter of mini quiches. The lesson? Eat a little something before you go. Trust me: a couple of crackers are not going to show. Even in that dress.

All I Want for Christmas is You

You get caught making out with the receptionist (or the gopher) in the copy room/your boss’s office/in the back seat of your car. You may not even know you’ve been caught until the emails start circulating. Just hope your rival in the race for VP doesn’t have a camera phone, or an unflattering shot of your escapades will probably end up posted on the breakroom fridge, right next to the “When it Grows Mold We Throw it Out” sign.

Have a crush on an office mate? You might want to keep it to yourself. Remember, tonight’s eggnog confession is tomorrow’s sexual harassment suit.

Try the Spinach Dip

You’ve walked around all night with nacho cheese on your party dress or spinach dip wedged firmly in your teeth. The lesson? Eat carefully or wear a bib. The choice is yours. Otherwise, stick to crackers, cheese, and dipless celery sticks.

Happy $%**#@! Holidays!

Whether it’s revealing your master plan to ascend your company ladder with or without your boss’s assistance, or that your date thinks his boss is a clueless monkey of a man whose Armani suits can’t make up for his endless chattering, now is not the time to discuss company politics. Loose lips do more than sink ships — they sink careers as well. And drowning in booze is no excuse for social stupidity.

Worse than getting drunk at your holiday party is getting drunk at your date or spouse’s holiday party. You can’t redeem yourself the next day, and you’ll always be remembered as “Dave’s girlfriend, the one who can’t hold three martinis.”

Try Not To Vomit

This one comes to you courtesy of personal experience from yours truly. Your oh-so-hot-VP, recently-single boss offers to drive you home after the festivities, and you require a number of roadside pit-stops so that you don’t throw up on the seats of his brand new Lexus.

Fancy parties usually mean fancy drinks. The fruity, festive, Singapore Sling might look delightful as the bartender is serving them to your boss’s wife, but if you’ve never had one before, now is not the time to try. It won’t look nearly as pretty coming up the other way.

Elves Who Can’t Spell

Whether it’s for the client or the boss, if you’re in charge of buying the holiday gift, make sure you check the spelling on the names before you write it on the tag. Bossman Bob may not truly appreciate an Internet gift certificate made out to “Boob, the Best Boss Ever.”

There Goes that Goofball Lenny Again

Check for feet under the stalls before you have your end-of-the-year gossip fest at Lenny’s expense. Making fun of your boss or co-worker might ordinarily be safe to do in the office ladies’ room, but those might be Mrs. Goofball’s black satin pumps peeking out from under that little metal door.

I think it was about 11 years ago… it was time for me to go back out to work, after my 12 weeks of parent leave when our youngest daughter was born. Yup! The dads at that time were allowed to get some time off to help out with the newborn. BTW during the 12 weeks you get about 75% (I think) of your normal salary, paid from the unemployment insurance you contribute during your employment.
So there I was, 2 hours into my shift at my sales job and just HATED it. It was not just the fact that I had been off work for so long, but they had made several changes to our system while I was away and having to learn this new way of doing things, just added to my displeasure. Why change such a great process? Guys in the suits I guess. Trying to tell us what would work, even tough we knew better. Why ask your employees for their input??

My day back at my job lasted 2hrs and 10 minutes if I recall correctly.

For parents returning to work, whether it is after a few months maternity leave, or a few years spent raising children, there are many questions to consider to ensure a smooth family transition and maintain a level of work-life balance.

1. What is your motivation for returning to work?

Take some time to think through your personal goals within the context of your family’s commitments. What are your reasons for going back to work? Are they for personal fulfillment? Or are they financial? Are you obliged to look for work? The answers to these will dictate your level of flexibility in looking for a job.

2. How much time do you have to work?

Look at how much time you will realistically have to dedicate to work. Assess your current commitments to children, partners, parents and other activities and think about which responsibilities can be delegated.

3. What child care is available and suitable?

This is probably the most critical of all issues to solve prior to making a commitment to return to work.

Day care centres are a reliable and cost effective option, although you will need to ensure that they are easily accessible and have appropriate hours. Because there are many children being cared for in a day care centre (or family day care) there is greater likelihood of children catching colds and viruses. Therefore you will need to have a backup plan when your child is ill and needs to stay home.

* The most cost effective, although often least reliable form of child care, is having a family member assume child care duties. If this option is available, think through alternatives for when your carer is ill, takes a vacation or has a conflicting responsibility.
* Similarly, a nanny may be a suitable although expensive option, but again consider backup child care if your nanny is not available. Depending on your work schedule, commitments and available space at home, a live-in nanny or au pair may be suitable to allow you flexibility in managing your time.

4. Should you re-enter a previous career or look for a change?

Once you have established how much time you will be able to work and your child care arrangements, you can assess your options. Did you enjoy your previous career or job? If so, consider whether your previous employer will offer flexible hours or consider a job sharing arrangement. If not, look at using your network of contacts to find another job in the same industry and negotiate your requirements upfront? If considering a career change, consider whether it is feasible to retrain, or whether you could leverage your transferable skills in a new role, or look at starting your own business.

Now that you know what direction you are heading in and what your goals and constraints are, develop a plan of action:

Assess your transferable skills, taking into account all work you did during your time looking after your children – include voluntary positions.

* Draft your résumé.
* Tap into your networks – previous employers, social networks and other parents.

Returning to work is both exciting and daunting at the same time, but by understanding your goals and knowing your constraints, you can make the transition a smooth success for yourself and your family.

The past month I’ve spent considerable time on eBay looking for phones for our girls for Christmas. The ones they have is supposedly not cool enough and since we’re already locked into a “plan” it means we would have to pay full price, if we purchased one from our cell phone carrier. So eBay is usually the answer when we’re looking for a deal. It’s truly amazing how many people are making extra or full time income on eBay.

About 3 weeks ago I was speaking with an eBay seller and I was blown away when he mentioned the amount of cash he’s making every month. I’m talking thousands of dollars, all from his computer at home. He claims that he was able to quit his full time JOB and he’s having more fun now than he’s ever had.

So if you’re looking for a deal or want to earn some extra income, try eBay. There’s a reason why they’re so popular!

BTW, if you’re looking for help starting an eBay business, check out this amazing starter kit you can have for free! All you do is pay the small shipping cost ($4.95), less than the price of a gourmet cup of coffee and the starter kit is YOURS! You could be making extra cash, from home as soon as you get the starter kit in the mail.

Let’s recap this find of mine… You want to make extra cash from home!

- Click here >> I want the FREE starter kit << It's FREE!
- Complete the form so we know where to send the kit!

- YOU pay the small shipping fee of $4.95

- The kit is mailed out to you, so you can get started.

- 100% Legit, since it’s a name you can trust (eBay) and it’s been featured on the CBS News.

- ANYONE can get started, since you don’t need any special skills.

The stereo in our hot tub is tuned in to one of those “lite” radio stations that carries the John Tesh radio show, so whenever I/we’re in there I usually catch his show. BTW, if you’ve not heard about the John Tesh show, do a search for it online. It’s packed with handy little tips and life lessons.

JT had a caller who’s story went like this…

The caller went in for a job interview. On time, dressed and prepped for the interview. When he got there, the secretary mentioned to him that the interviewer was running a bit late and asked if he would wait. He said he didn’t have a problem waiting. During his wait, they began a conversation, which went on for quite a while. Long story short - Near the end of their conversation the secretary mentioned that the interviewer was not late. She was the actual hiring manager! She mentioned that she find this form of interviewing potential employees most effective. There is no pressure of a formal interview and the applicant is usually more relaxed and frank with answers. After-all, they think they’re speaking with the secretary.

So next time you’re in for a job interview, be especially nice to the secretary.