by Pamela Grundy

Created on: January 01, 2008   Last Updated: June 13, 2009

Keeping your business life separate from your personal life will help you to maintain sanity and harmony on both fronts. You didn't start a home business so you could work 24/7, so take care that you don't subject yourself and your family to that kind of routine.

Here are some basic tips:

SEPARATE WORK AND HOME SPACES

No matter how small or rudimentary, be sure the business has its own space, preferably a room of its own, and as far away from the rest of the household as possible. When you are in the business space, you work. When you are in the home space, you are at home with your family. Keeping these boundaries firm is best for your sanity as well as theirs.

WORK REGULAR HOURS

Set a schedule and keep to it as much as possible. Establish a 'time boundary' in your daily routine by creating an activity that separates the end of your home business day from the start of your time with family. Walk the dog. Go to the post office. Meditate for ten minutes. Whatever you chose to do, give yourself a breathing space so you don't drag 'shop talk' into Hyour home at the end of your hard work.

MAKE DATES FOR WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND YOUR FAMILY

At least once a week you should have a designated chunk of time devoted to your spouse and another one to your family. During these dates do not discuss your home business, just have fun. Something as simple as playing video games with your kids, or watching a movie on TV with your spouse (you provide the snacks)is all it really takes. You don't have to spend a lot of money.

EAT DINNER TOGETHER AND TAKE TURNS TALKING

A tradition that worked well for my family was to eat dinner together every night, sitting down at the table. During dinner, we took turns talking about our day or whatever else we wanted to talk about, one by one. Passing was allowed. While we were taking turns, no one was allowed to interrupt. After that, we had normal conversation. It is hard to eat dinner as a family these days, but so much can be accomplished at the dinner table. Just giving everyone a chance to be heard uninterrupted will go a long way towards maintaining peace in a household, freeing you up to concentrate on your business totally while you are working.

LIMIT SHOP TALK

Make an agreement with your spouse to put a limit on how much time you spend on shop talk and when you spend it. Talking about problems and worries regarding your business and comparing them to problems and stresses your spouse is having at his or her regular job right before bed is a particularly awful idea, yet it is a habit that a surprising number of couples fall into. I find that morning or lunch is a better time for this, evening should be for relaxing together.

TAKE TIME FOR YOU

Don't forget that you are more than your home business. Make sure you are taking some time each day just for you, even if it means getting up twenty minutes early to get it.

Healthy boundaries, good habits, being full present: Keep these as part of your daily routine and you will enjoy the best of both business and personal worlds.

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