When Working From Home Means Saying No

When working from home means saying no, the odds are good that you have already begun running the gauntlet comprised of friends and family members who seem to ask you for favors on a near daily basis. While it is not a pleasant activity, it is required if you wish to run your business, make money, and at the same time keep a modicum of sanity. For all those who might be somewhat challenged in the assertiveness department, here are some tips and tricks that make saying no easier:

Know which of your family and friends are the biggest offenders on a regular basis. The occassional call from a loved one to pick up an item at the grocery, or the friend that calls with a crisis should be considered from time to time as part of life, and therefore given a pass. Ironically, your loved one that can't forgive you for working late into the night will require a serious conversation in the morning, since they are the one filling up your day with errands and chores.

* Individuals who are blatantly taking advantage of your being home will also be the ones who will act the most offended when you say no. To avoid these confrontations it will be wise to install a second telephone line for the business ' an expense you can write off from your taxes ' and not give out the number unless it is a bona fide business contact. To help avoid saying no, avoid answering your personal line or the door while at home working.

Just because you are at home, you should not equate it to being available. Therefore, you must use restraint and not volunteer for things during your work at home time. While the teacher may implore parents to volunteer their time during the school day to help with grading and the cutting out of craft projects, unless you have a lot of disposable time in the pursuit of your business success, failure to keep that boundary intact will see you as a frequent target for request for help and assistance and may put you in a position where you agree to help out even though you know it is neither in your best interest, not the best interest of your family to do so.

* Forget everything you have ever learned about saying no to friends and family and when the people to whom you have the hardest time saying no come to you again with requests for help, be sure to gladly acquiesce ' right before you launch into a laundry list of things you would like them to help you with. For example, if your father in law asks you to come over and trim the bushes, plant the garden and other chores around the house during work at home time, then ask him if he would like to come over later and watch the children, do the laundry, and clean the house so you can then get your business completed that he interrupted. She will get the point.