Ten Tips for working from home this summer

The summer juggle: 10 tips to balance business and family

Working from home can often turn into a balancing act. The duties of work and home begin to overlap, and often one can take over. Many Virtual Assistants decide to work for themselves to spend more time with their families, whether that is for their children or to care for older relatives, but they end up dedicating even more time to work. Here are my no-nonsense tips to help you juggle this summer.

1. Get organised

Figure out your goals and priorities for both your business and your personal life. Then, put your house, office, and life together in a way that helps you achieve them. I often talk about work life integration. It is about knowing what the priorities are for you. It is perfectly acceptable not to try to take over the world during the summer months.

2. Lists, lists, lists

Once you have your plans, make to-do lists. Organise them by priority. If something does not get done, it probably was not that important anyway. I am a physical notepad and pen person, but there are plenty of apps available if you prefer digital organisation.

3. Switch it up

At some point, you will feel burnt out doing tedious tasks. Try mixing it up. If a specific task is stressing you out, move on to something else and come back to it later. When you are a business owner, there is always something else that needs doing, so use that to your advantage.

4. Set firm work hours

Set your work hours for times when the children are not around or do not require constant attention. When your work hours are done, stop. If you cannot get your work done, you may need to reset your hours or look realistically at how much work you can actually take on. This is particularly difficult during the summer holidays, so be honest with yourself.

5. Separate your space

While it might seem easy to work and play in the same area, a dedicated office is vital. It helps you focus and protects your work from family disruptions. One of the things I love about a separate workspace is the ability to shut the door at the end of the day.

6. Get the family involved

Even small children can help with basic household tasks like tidying or drying dishes. Ensure everyone does their part. Do not stress if the house looks like a bomb has hit it during the holidays. It can be cleaned later.

7. Take time for yourself

When balancing work and family, you often forget the most important part of the equation: you. Schedule time to relax and socialise. When was the last time you took time for yourself? It is fine to let the children have a tech day if it allows you to catch up in the office and feel more in control.

8. Build a support network

Friends are essential for your mental health. Keep those friendships alive. This is where being a member of a community like our VA Membership is exceptionally helpful. It provides a pool of like minded individuals who understand the specific pressures you face.

9. Stay positive and prepared

A positive attitude is a key to success. Be kind to yourself as the summer holidays approach. I highly recommend creating your social media content in advance of the break. This helps you stay on top of your presence without being tied to your desk. If you need a more robust strategy for your business, the VA Momentum Course is there to help you build those foundations.

10. Remember you are unique

Trying to fit into someone else’s schedule or plan is rarely successful. You need to tailor your plan to your family’s unique needs. Find the system that works for you. Just because one VA works at 5am does not mean you have to.

Bonus Tip

Finally book something in for you to look forward to, once the kids are back at school… I recommend looking at the VA Conference which is taking place in Bournemouth on 16 Oct 26.