Organizing Your Time

Overwhelming yourself with work, whether it’s a freelance setup or the office work that you want to take care of at home, won’t do you any good. Instead, try creating a small list of tasks, either by using viable GTD (getting things done) software or choosing more simple approaches like emailing yourself a to do list. Whichever method you choose, don’t send yourself the next year’s worth of work. Just focus on the day’s work. In addition, set aside specific hours where you will be working. This will allow you to devote your time appropriately and schedule other needed tasks around the required project work.

Productive Work Space

If you work at home frequently, you should set up a workspace that is only used for working from home. That means that any other computer use, such as browsing Facebook or playing games, shouldn’t be done here. You can create this workspace by setting up a desk, a unique profile on your computer, and work oriented decorations. Some of the best decorations include family pictures, motivational quotes or posters, plants, and other relaxing items. Similarly, your computer’s desktop background should be something that evades distraction.

Synchronize with Everything

If you use any other devices for your work, you will want to access all the information you can from home. Some employers use web-based applications that you can access from anywhere such as Google Apps. If you don’t fall into this category, any pop3 server can be made into a web-based platform through exchange hosting. Exchange hosting is one of the best ways to make sure you have access to your Outlook account, calendar, contacts, and other relevant information. Hosted exchange services will also allow you to sync up with mobile devices and other work utilities.

Remain Professional

The fantasy of working at home often involves sitting at your desk in your pajamas, working whenever you feel like working, having ice cream at your desk with you, and having your favorite sports game on in the background. While this may work for you every other blue moon, they are generally terrible ideas. There’s a reason you can’t do these things in the office.

Dressing and behaving professionally will increase your confidence, put you in the working mindset, and in the end, magnify your productivity. Working from home doesn’t mean working poorly or working in a less than professional manner. In fact, if anything, maintaining a professional environment is far more important at home. After all, distractions are far more likely to be present there, and while someone breathing down your neck at work may not always be appreciated, you may miss it when you run into trouble with motivating yourself at home.

You know YOU have questions for Jenny…here are a few of mine. If you want to know more, leave a comment below and Jenny will answer them for you.

Q: What exactly is this program that you’re entering?

There’s this really cool fitness hangout for moms online called BookieBoo.com and they run a contest to find the next “Mamavation Mom” every seven weeks. The Mamavation Mom is the mom everyone watches as they make a 7-week intense change to their diet and exercise routine. They’re the mom to watch and be inspired by as they go through the Mamavation program. Then, after the 7 weeks they continue to remain active in the BookieBoo community giving advice, support, and love to the rest of the Mamavation Sistahood.

Q: What is your ultimate goal for entering this program?

Q: What’s in it for us?

Once I win I will be posting videos. Inspirational videos, funny videos, ME WORKING OUT videos, food demonstration and cooking videos. Everything you need to feel better about yourself and realize that anyone can truly become healthier with just one decision. To DO it. Let me be YOUR inspiration. Or just let me make you feel better about yourself. Either way, we’re cool.

Let’s show Jenny some DIVA love and vote for her!

Colorado Technical University.

This technical college surpasses all the general standards, providing a number of different degree options, small class sizes, a top class faculty with real world experience, and a number of accelerated learning options. With programs for Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees, the university’s business school is one of the most diverse at all levels. The Bachelor’s program includes some unusual areas of specialization such as Financial Forensics and Property Management. With two different specializations for the Master’s of Business Administration, this school is an excellent choice.

Jones International University.

In 1993, the Jones International University became the first fully accredited online education institution, and has since expanded into various areas of expertise. The business program is exceptional. The JIU School of Business offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs for business.

There are three different forms of business related Bachelor’s degrees: a BA in business communications, a BB in administration, and an accelerated program that’s designed to put you on the fast track to your Master’s degree. There are six different areas of focus for your Master’s degree, including four MA degrees in various areas of specialization, the standard MBA, and a Master’s in corporate training. The DBA doctorate program is also available.

Walden University.

Walden provides a number of options for business students. With two business related Bachelor’s and a single MBA, it may seem to lack the diversity of some of the other schools, but its quality and accessibility are superb. Its in-depth business education program covers all the basics including finance, leadership, marketing, technology, resource management, healthcare implementation, entrepreneurship, and much more. This school’s ability to offer cross-disciplinary studies with experienced professors in other fields makes a business degree from Walden one of the most well rounded degrees that you can get online.

Northcentral University

Northcentral has a focused graduate degree program for anyone in the business world. Its advanced Master’s of Business Administration and Doctorate of Business Administration are some of the most accessible advanced degrees. They’re accessible thanks in part to a lack of residency requirements, monthly class start dates, one-on-one faculty attention as needed, and financing options. The doctorate program is of special note, with potential areas of specialization including advanced accounting, technology, e-commerce, HR management, healthcare administration, public administration, and marketing.

All of these institutions are more than glad to provide potential students with in-depth information about the degree programs, costs, financial aid options, application process, and enrollment requirements. The individual websites of these universities generally have this information available. Many also have electronic information packets that they can send immediately.

* Direct Sales – Direct sales puts you in the driver’s seat without the risk. A direct sales associate is someone who sells a company’s products or services and works on a commission basis. Tupperware, Mary Kay and Discovery Toys are popular direct sales companies; however, because the business model is so successful you can find a direct sales company in just about every niche.

As a direct sales person, there is a low start-up cost, usually just the cost of buying a few products to market at home parties. Most of the time direct sales companies provide their associates with a bevy of marketing materials and everything they need to succeed.

* Medical Transcriptionist – Medical transcriptionists essentially take doctor dictated recordings and transcribe them. This isn’t as easy as it sounds because a medical transcriptionist will need to know and understand medical terminology. Many medical transcriptionists work on tight deadlines and have a degree or certification in the field.

* General Transcriptionist – As an alternative to medical transcription, a general transcriptionist is in high demand.  With more and more business going online and conducting teleseminars, webinars, and creating information productions, the use of a general transcriptionist is essential.  The general transcriptionist will take the recording/audio and transcribe it into a readable document, usually a Word document.  A general transcriptionist must be detailed oriented and have a keen ear.

If having your own general transcription business interests you, I have a 12-week home study training course that will put you in the right path of making money as a general transcriptionist.  Visit www.TranscribeIntensive.com to learn more.

* Customer Service – A number of companies around the world outsource their customer service to work from home contractors. You’ll need a computer and to go through their customer support training, and of course be right next to your phone during your contracted hours. There are work from home customer service scams, so if you’re interested in this opportunity you’ll want to contract with a reputable organization. Research them before you sign on the dotted line.

* Data Entry – Like customer service and medical transcription, there are work from home data entry scams. However, this can also be a legitimate option. The key is to do your homework on any organization you’re looking into or considering applying to, and never send anyone money to get a job.

* Telecommuting Opportunities – In addition to the standard work from home opportunities or direct sales opportunities, you may be able to transition your current job into a work from home or telecommuting situation. Many positions from an office manager to an attorney can be telecommuting opportunities.

If you’re already gainfully employed and want to transition your job from an office one to a telecommuting one, create a plan and a proposal that will benefit your boss and other employees before you present it to them.

Many times it’s easier to gradually ease into telecommuting by working from home one day a week at first. As you prove to your boss that it can work, you can add days. The key, however, is to be extremely productive on those work from home days.

Where can you find telecommuting and work from home jobs? Here are some suggestions:

• Check your local job postings and regular job sites
• Approach your employer
• Visit websites where work from home jobs are posted (be scam savvy)
• Contact companies you want to work for with a cover letter and a resume

Working from home doesn’t have to be a pipe dream – it is possible. With the right research and planning, you can live the life you desire.

I’d love to hear from you. Please post your questions and comments about working from home below.

Because I’m a huge fan of Disco music, a few months back I started Disco Trivia on Twitter (#FriNightFever) every Friday night starting at 11:00 p.m. EST.  So for two hours I list various questions relating to Disco music and everyone who plays receives a point for each correct answer.  At the end of the night, the guy & gal with the most points wins a badge to proudly post on their website.

Over the last several weeks, Disco Trivia has gained in popularity to the point that I have exceeded my rate limit on TweetDeck and had to sign on using one of my business accounts to continue with the game.  The response has been incredible!

New players are coming on board each week, friendships are being created, and we’re having a lot of fun.  The game also gets a little competitive at times.

Due to multiple requests to add 8Os music to the mix, last night I did! And what a blast we had.  So from now on it will be 7Os & 8Os Music Trivia every Friday Night starting at 11:00 p.m. EST.

I sure hope you’ll join us next Friday night for a time of fun, friendship, and reminiscing of the good ole’ days.

That’s it for now…until next time, wear your heels well!

P.S. Follow me on Twitter (@krclaypool & @DivaTalkRadio)

Of course, I wanted something different than the average ‘Follow Me’ Twitter button, I got with my awesome & incredible graphic designer who immediately went to work.  My only request to her was, it had to be hot pink and have high-heels on…of course! Well, a little while later she came up with the perfect design.  All I can say is Brandy at Stitchblade Designs completely rocks!! Brandy has never let me down in her creativity.  So, after reading this post, jump on over to her website and take a look at her portfolio.

Brandy has incredible talent and her prices are extremely affordable. She is also on Twitter, so be sure to follow her…@Stitchblade

Diva Talk Radio airs every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. EST on http://blogtalkradio.com/DivaTalkRadio.

To be informed on upcoming shows and Featured Guests, sign up for our Diva Talk News.

Until next time…wear your heels well & I’ll see YOU at the show!