How Do You Manage Your Own Personal Computer Time?

Thanks for reminding me of my intentions to go to bed at a decent time rather than stay on the computer half or all of the night!!! I, too, work from home. I find it easier to work at night when the phone and doorbell aren't ringing. And I'm the type that stays in touch with everyone. In fact, I'm the contact for several groups to keep in touch with one another which also keeps me on the computer. My kids are grown and my oldest once reminded me I used to disapprove of all the time he wanted to be on the computer and now here I am, but that was before I knew....And now he makes great money as a network administrator! :-)
Yes, my husband sometimes calls me to bed so he can sleep better ....Well, gotta go, a Facebook message just came in! 1:15 a.m......I'm gonna go to bed soon....sorry I didn't give any good advice....

Hi K.!
Let me just say it is 4 AM and I am still up working!! I have an 11 year old that I will need to wake up in about 2.5 hours, and a newborn that is probably going to wake up shortly after to nurse, and lord help me when my 2 year old gets up!! And, No I do not “wake-up” early to get on the computer! I still haven’t made it to bed!! I don’t normally respond but I thought it was too funny when this email came in and the subject line was your question!
I have a home based business, and I have yet to figure out how to “manage” everything! There are times when things will suffer a little. I honestly feel as though my children and my work are the very “same” as far as importance… I need to be with my kids, and take care of them, raise them, and love them every day. I do not have a sitter, or take them to school, or day care. I have always wanted to be a “hands on” mommy. At the same time, my work is very important to me as well, not only because it is our Primary Source of Income, well our only income, but because I enjoy it and my clients are very important to me. Granted it is stressful, and there are days that we have to eat sandwiches for dinner because I just can’t do anything else. Everyone is different, and you know what you “need to do.” Keep a list of priorities as so long as your priorities are taken care of them don’t worry if you take a little extra Me time 

what is that saying " work before play" ??? anyway after droping the kids off your first thing to do is any editing on your photography biz. then the house chores then computer play time. set a timer if you have too. then in the evenings you have time devoted to your top prioritys your family. good luck.

I also have a home business and I homeschool my 4 kids so I know just what you mean!! It is so easy to get "sucked in" to the internet. I try to keep a daily schedule that my kids and husband know about, but it doesn't always work. When I want to work in the evening my husband usually gets on his computer and works or just surfs his favorite sports sites or news sites. Sometimes that is relaxing for both of us. Good luck finding that balance. It is so difficult!

Make a schedule for yourself. Write it down and stick to it. I use to stay home and did a home business and found that making a schedule was a good way of keeping me on task. For example
6:00 get up, set the coffee,etc
7:15 take the kids to school
8:00-9:00 Make the beds, straighten up the bedrooms
9:00 - 9:30 Make and eat breakfast, clean kitchen
9:30 - 11:30 Computer/Photography business
11:30 - 1:00 Laundry
1:00- 2:00 Days of Our Lives
2:00-2:30 Lunch
2:30- 3:00 Check email, mamasource, etc.
3-8:30 mommy duties
8:30 -9:30 Computer, and stop!
If your husband falls asleep, then go back and goof off somemore on the computer.

But write yourself a realistic schedule! And follow it!

You have to schedule your computer time in blocks and stay off unless it is those times. I'm on the computer all the time. I have just recently moved all my business to online. I'm always researching. I am off the computer when my daughter is up and when my boyfriend is over. You may want to have blocks of time at night on Tues and Thurs for work and start earlier. Maybe, your husband can do bath and bedtime routine. You have make your time focused when you are online. When you are supposed to be working, stay off of facebook and forums. I hope this helps a bit. Have a great day.

I can relate! Been there, done that (btdt)!!!

I haven't even come up with a consistent method for myself. Still, what I'm working on is prioritizing my day's work. Sort of make a to-do list for each day. If I find myself price-checking a product to, maybe, buy on-line and realize I haven't finished the #1 item on my to-do list, that helps remind me to get to that on-line shopping later. I'm hoping this works out for me because I cannot put a time on anything I do. Mondays are very different from Tuesdays and some Mondays are different from the previous Monday! I may have a kid's dental appointment or have an appointment for myself. Too many times, I find that the day has passed and I haven't gotten to my _work_.

I say, good luck to us both!

I have found myself doing the same. I too have a home based business. I don't have to be home to run it but when I am I find myself doing the same as you. With my kids at school also, I have to balance what I do after the come home after 3. There are several reasons for it and I am not a counselor but the internet fills many voids. Especially when we are alone for a good part of the day especially if we don't have anything going on. The key is balance for me and also asking myself the question,"is what I am doing now, income producing or time consuming"

While living in Germany I was staying up until 2 or 3 a.m. due to the time difference in other parts of the world to train or communicate with others for our business. So staying up late can really weigh on your health and body.

There are 2 very great books I have read and introduced to others. You can find them on Amazon.com for less. They are called The Power of Focus by Jack Canfield & Les Hewitt and The Power of Focus for Women by Fran & Les Hewitt.

I hope that helps.
E.