I had this idea in my head that working from home would be my ideal situation. I could wake up, make a cup of hot cocoa, grab my laptop, and snuggle back into bed to begin checking my emails and get started for the day. I wouldn’t have to get dressed, put on makeup, or care about what I was wearing. However, my dream situation didn’t quite turn out to be what I thought it would. I fell asleep when I was supposed to be working, I felt sloppy, and I got antsy from being cooped up all day.
Working from home can be a blessing and a curse. It allows you to have a flexible schedule that conforms to your life and you don’t ever have to worry about commuting. However, it can also become lonely and you can lose focus easily. Sitting in the same room, staring at a computer, all day by yourself can take its toll. Luckily, there are some things to help you avoid getting cabin fever while working from home.

Here are some things that I have found helped me to stay focused and stay motivated.

1. Change up where you work. Try going to the local coffee shop and working for a few hours instead of staying at home all day. Changing up your surroundings can give you new motivation and help you to think more clearly. It will also eliminate distractions. If it’s nice outside, take your laptop outside and setup shop in a nearby park, or even in your backyard. It helps to change your surroundings and this can even bring you more inspiration in your work.
2. Create a space just for your work. In your home, it can be easy to say that you will just work from the kitchen table or the couch in your living room. However, I’ve found that I am most productive if I have a space in my home dedicated to office space. I hang up some pictures that I love, put a plant on a desk and set this place aside solely for work purposes. That way, my brains knows it’s time to work when I sit down in this designated area.
3. Make time for breaks. Getting up, moving around, and eating a little snack will help you to clear your mind and avoid feeling claustrophobic. It will also help you be more productive. If we stay sitting down in one place for too long, our bodies and minds can begin to wither away.
4. Drink lots of water. Get a big glass at the beginning of the day and after you finish it, keep refilling. Water will help you be more alert, stay awake, and it keeps your body hydrated which is important for your health.
5. Reward yourself. Whether it’s going on a walk, pouring a glass of Diet Coke, or listening to your new favorite album while working, find little things that help you throughout the day. Set goals and when you accomplish them, congratulate yourself.

I hope these few tips help you to have more balance while working at home!

“Tessa is the editor for DamselsinSuccess.com, a website for and about
women in business. She also freelance writes and loves innovation.”

Here are some tips to help mom entrepreneurs get off to the right start on their SEO campaigns.

1. Use learning tools — The Internet offers plenty of free SEO tutorials and there are great books available for beginners. Google is easily the largest search engine, so you will want to concentrate on learning about Google’s PageRank algorithm. However, Bing handles search rankings on its own platform and on Yahoo, so it is worthwhile to study Bing SEO techniques. Find a tutorial that speaks at a technical language level appropriate for your experience.

2. Use free SEO tools – Google offers great free tools for SEO marketers including Google Analytics, Google Webmaster Tools and the Google Keyword Tool. Other free or partly free SEO applications and services include Open Site Explorer and Majestic SEO.

3. Keep abreast of news – One of the tricks for staying at the top of search engine rankings, is to stay one step ahead of your competition. In order to accomplish this, you need to scan the latest SEO news as soon as it comes out. In fact, it really pays to develop industry connections that can give you insight into changes even before they become public. Try attending conventions and seminars if possible to develop your network within the SEO profession.

4. Keywords – SEO is primarily about choosing the right keywords that can help you reach the top of search engine results pages (SERPs). The keywords should focus on your target audience, but they must also not be too competitive. Unless you have a hefty marketing budget, it is unlikely that you will be able to compete on high demand keywords. Instead, it is better to concentrate on search terms that consist of two or three relevant keywords.

5. On-Page Factors – The part of SEO most under your control are the internal factors related to your web pages. You will need to use the right keyword density, i.e., the ratio of targeted keywords to the overall word count. The placement of the keywords in the text can also be important. For example, some SEO experts stress having the keywords in the first sentence of page content. You should also ensure that keywords and related terms are in the meta tags that form part of the page’s underlying code.

6. Backlinks – Probably the most important factor for attaining high search engine placement is the quantity and quality of backlinks to your web pages. A backlink is a link from another website that sends visitors to one of your pages. Search engines view a backlink as a vote of confidence from one of your peers in the web world. Among the best ways to get backlinks is to create great content, although in most cases you will have to solicit links especially during the early part of the campaign.

7. Social media – The newest frontier in SEO is the social media world to include platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Create your own pages on these platforms and build up targeted networks. You will be able to share content with others easily and, in the process, lure them back to your site.

SEO takes time to master, but most of the concepts are simple once you get past all the technical jargon.
Author Bio

Heather Smith is an ex-nanny. Passionate about thought leadership and writing, Heather regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations, branding, and parenting blogs/websites. She also provides value to www.nanny.net/ service by giving advice on site design as well as the features and functionality to provide more and more value to nannies and families across the U.S. and Canada. She can be available at H.smith7295 [at] gmail.com.

Looking at WAH Call Center Jobs? Consider the Pros and Cons

Numerous work at home opportunities exist these days thanks to the Internet and other advances in technology. One such opportunity is that of home-based call center agent (also called a virtual call center representative).

While there are many benefits to handling telephone calls from the comfort of your home, it’s important to evaluate the pros and cons of the position before seeking out a job. The last thing you want to do is invest time and energy into an opportunity that isn’t a good fit for your situation.

In this brief guide, we’ll look at both sides of home-based call center positions and explain what aspects of the job need your consideration.

Cons of being a home-based call center rep

You have to be 100% free from distractions while you’re working

Unlike some work at home jobs, being a call center agent requires your full attention. You’re typically on the phone the entire duration of your shift, leaving no time to care for your kids, answer the door, or deal with other situations that arise around the house.

You can’t easily rely on your peers for help and support

One downside of call center work in general is that it is often very repetitive. In a traditional call center environment, being amongst fellow employees helps to ease this problem and make the work more enjoyable. You can also look to your peers for quick help when you’re uncertain of what to do. When you’re working at home, you’re all on your own. There are obviously ways to chat supervisors and others for assistance, but you lose the ability to easily build relationships and get quick feedback.

Not all call center jobs are created equal

Call centers that provide work at home opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. For this reason, it’s important that you seek out a position that matches your competencies. Handling callers or situations that you aren’t comfortable with can make the job a nightmare. If you aren’t good at sales, don’t take on outbound or sales oriented work. If you don’t feel comfortable calling people who are in debt, don’t work for a debt collection service. This may seem obvious, but often the idea of handling calls from home overshadows the actual nature of the work.

Okay, now let’s talk about the positive aspects.

Pros of being a home-based call center rep

Very flexible schedules

Many call centers operate 24/7/365, so it’s typically pretty easy to set a schedule that meets your needs. Whenever you’re available, it’s likely there are calls that need answered, especially if you’re working for a 24 hour answering service with consistently high call volume.

Training available

Though you may need to go onsite initially to receive training, call centers are often entry level positions that provide you all the training you need to do the job. People comfortable with customer service and talking on the phone are obviously ahead of the pack when it comes to working as an at home agent, but the reality is that almost anyone can be trained to work as a virtual call center representative.

Rewarding work

While it’s true that not all call center jobs are created equal and that some are more rewarding than others, many allow you to help people on a daily basis. When you pick up the phone and are able to help someone solve a problem, there’s no better feeling. Many jobs can’t provide this benefit, which makes call center work especially unique.

Whether working at home as a call center agent is a good fit for you or not, I hope this list has provided you with some helpful information. If you have worked in an at-home call center position before and feel something is missing from this list, feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear your insight.

About the author:

Melanie Cartwell is a blogger currently working with CMS, a nationwide call center and order taking answering service. Learn more at http://www.continentalmessage.com.

Rest. A psychologist who has studied creative people reports that they rest often and sleep a lot.

3. Cut some slack. You do not have to do everything. Just the right things. Publisher Steve Forbes taught me a lesson: “Don’t be a slave to your in-box. Just because there’s something there doesn’t mean you have to do it.” As a result, every evening, I extract from my long list to-do list just a few “musts” for the following day. If, but three o’clock the next day, I’ve crossed off all the “musts,” I know that everything else I do that day will be icing on the cake. It is a great psychological plus for me.
There is nothing wrong with pushing yourself hard, disciplining yourself to
do what needs to be done when you hold yourself to the highest standards. That builds up stamina and turns you into a pro. At time, though, you must forgive yourself. You will never become 100 percent efficient, nor should you expect to be. After something does not work, ask yourself, “Did I do my best? If you did, accept the outcome. All you can do is all you can do.
4. Blur the boundaries. Some very successful people achieve balance by setting aside times or days for family, recreation, hobbies or the like. They create boundaries around certain activities and protect them. Other individuals who are just as successful do just the opposite. They blur the boundaries. Says consultant Alan Weiss, “I work out of my home. In the afternoon, I might be watching my kids play at the pool or be out with my wife. On Saturday, or at ten o’clock on a weeknight, I might be working. I do things when the spirit moves me, and when they’re appropriate.”
Some jobs don’t lend themselves to this strategy. But blurring the boundaries is possible more often than you may think. One way is to involve people you care about in what you do. For example, many companies encourage employees to bring their spouses to conferences and annual meetings. It’s a good idea. If people who mean a great deal to you understand what you do, they can share more fully in your successes and failures. They also are more likely to be a good sounding board for your ideas.
5. Take a break. Many therapists believe that taking a break from a work routine can have major benefits for mental and physical health. Professional speaker and executive coach Barbara Pagano practices a kind of quick charge, by scheduling a day every few months with no agenda. For her, that means staying in her pajamas, unplugging the phone, watching old movie or reading a novel in bed. For that one day, nothing happens, except what she decides from hour to hour. Adds singer and composer Billy Joel, “There are times when you need to let the field lie fallow.” Joel is describing what farmers often do: let a plot rest so the soil can replenish itself.
6. Take the road less traveled. Occasionally, get off the expressway and take a side road, literally and figuratively. That road may take you to the library or to the golf course. Do something out of the ordinary to avoid the well-worn grooves of your life. Try a new route to work, a different radio station or a different cereal. Break out of your old mold occasionally, with a new way to dress or a different hobby. The road less traveled can be a reward after a demanding event, a carrot that you reward your self with or it can be a good way to loosen up before a big event. Bobby Dodd, the legendary football coach at Georgia Tech, knew the power of this concept. While other coaches were putting their teams through brutal twice-a-day practices, Dodd’s team did their drills and practices, but then took time to relax, play touch football and enjoy the bowl sites. Did the idea work? In six straight championships games!

Gene Griessman, PhD, is an Atlanta-based author, workshop leader and speaker. His books include Time Tactics of Very Successful People and The Words Lincoln Lived By. To learn more about Dr. Griessman?s products and speaking engagements, visit him online at www.presidentlincoln.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1469

1. Refrain from speaking negatively about the amount of money you now have in your life. This can be a tough one because many people declare being “broke” like they tell their age. Here’s the thing, you are never truly broke. While you may be financially challenged at the moment, you could always find a way to make the money you need for anything you deem important. Let that sink in a minute because you know I’m telling you the truth.

2. Each morning, affirm what you expect from the money that comes into your life. “Money flows easily and effortlessly to me all day long whether I am asleep or awake.” “I am positioned to welcome more money into my life today.” “Money helps me to serve those I’ve been called to serve with my gifts and talents.” “If I have a need for money, I can create opportunities to earn it.”
Record how these affirmations make you feel.

3. Dispel the myths and self-sabotaging beliefs that you’ve had in the past about money. Go back to your childhood and look at the example that was set for you around money. Think about the TV shows you use to watch where being “broke” looked like fun. You know, Good Times, Sanford and Son, Lavern and Shirley. Ask yourself if it’s possible that having money could be as fun as not having money was depicted via the media? How or how so?

4. Read A Happy Pocket Full of Money by David Cameron Gikandi. This book will help you to shift everything you’ve ever thought about money and transform you into believing that you are wealth; you are abundance; you are joy. After your read it all the way through, plan to read it quarterly until you completely shift around how you view money and your relationship with it.

5. Stop your unhealthy money habits. I use to not manage my money because I didn’t want to know what my financial picture looked like. But, as with anything else, if you don’t have a goal and a plan, you will never change your situation. Just like losing weight requires you to change your eating habits, increasing the flow of money in your life requires that you change your spending, etc habits.

6. Track money received on a daily basis. As you know, I believe that what you focus on expands. If you focus on the money entering your life (bank account) you will naturally invite more to come in. and when you receive it, tell God – please send me more so that I can do more of the work you’ve called me to do. As I like to say, focus on the deposits, not the withdrawals.

7. Go to the bank and get a 100 bill and carry it in your wallet at all times. This is a powerful reminder that you are not broke, while you may desire more, you will always have some if you keep it close to remind you. Now, you have to promise not to break it or if you do in an emergency you must replace it as soon as possible.

©2012 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, MBA, The Incredible Factor Speaker, Executive Business Coach and Marketing Mentor, is the founder of Incredible One Enterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for building a 6 figure business with more clients, more income and more leverage in record time. For more information and a FREE audio download “How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients” visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com

Are you working just to pay childcare?  Well, this was me a few years ago and like so many of you.  Every payday, I would get sick to my stomach with having to cash my check just so I can give it to my childcare owner.  For a second, I started feeling like I was in the wrong profession because of how expensive it was to pay for two children.

Why are you telling me this LaTersa?

Well, I wanted let you know that you are not alone, and I too know exactly how you feel.  I would put in long hours at the office and then come home and put in about another 4 to 5 hours at home.  Moms, you know exactly what i’m talking about: cooking, cleaning, doing homework with the little ones, doing laundry, and then just maybe, you’ll have some time for yourself, if you don’t fall over first.  So I continued this crazy cycle for about another year, until I literally was stressed to the point that I dreaded going to work, I was very fatigued and just was a not so pleasant person to be around.

Low and behold, I was praying to God to show me what could I do to bring in the same amount of income or close to it, so that I could eliminate childcare all together.  I wanted to be home with my children and I longed for going on field trips with my babies at school or just attending one of their school functions.  See, I’m the type of mom who always have a camera in her purse because I don’t want to miss any of  the cute little moments.  I’m the one that’s on the front row screaming at the top of her lungs for her little people.  You know that smile that is so priceless when your child sees you cheering them on.

So, did you quit your corporate america job LaTersa?

Well, that answer is an absolutely YES.  I finally build up enough courage to put my two weeks in and follow my dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and making my own money.  Now, I would not encourage you to quit your job without having a back up plan.  If you are single, you definitely want to way your options, maybe keep working part-time until your business income can replace your full time job.  If you are married, please discuss this with your spouse, because I’m all about peace and I wouldn’t want to give you any advice that would cause strife in your home.  I started my company The LaTersa Diaper Cakes™ (formerly known as Baby Diaper Cakes & Beyond by LaTersa) in 2010 and I haven’t looked back since.  So, if you are like me and you love being home with your children, and you are looking to make some extra money while being at home, check out this great home-business job opportunity. I want to show you step by step on how you can get started today.

I would love to hear your story of how you transitioned or in the process of transitioning from corporate america to home.

Warmly,

LaTersa

One of the major perks of switching from an in- office to a telecommunication job is that you can cut your dry cleaning bill in half—there really isn’t a need to wear silky blouses and linen pencil skirts if you don’t interact with people on a daily basis. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you should go to the extreme and trade out your traditional office attire for pajamas. It’s tempting to just wake up and get to work still in your jammies, but you should refrain. To learn why, continue reading below.

Lowers Productivity

It may seem easier to just roll out of bed and immediately turn on your computer—after all no one will see you—but giving yourself a morning routine (very similar to the one you’d have if working in an office) can help get you get into the right mind-set which can directly help you be more productive and tackle your work day. This is because “routines” help train your brain. Therefore, every time you get up, take a shower, brush your teeth, and put on some decent clothes your brain will know that it means the day is starting and it’s time to put in work.

Less Chances of an Impromptu Nap Time

Most employers are hesitant about allowing their employees to work remotely because they think employees are more likely to play around at home and not get any work done. Don’t prove them right by not completing all of your assignments in a timely manner because you fell asleep. If you notice your pajamas are too comfortable and make you instantly ready for a mid-day nap, put on some real clothes.

Less Active

Typically remote employees who stay in their pajamas all day never leave the house because they are too embarrassed of what bystanders might say/think. But staying locked in the house all day like a vampire isn’t good for your health, physically or mentally. You need to be able to take a walk outside and get some fresh air, go to the gym, or eat a good healthy lunch away from your computer—your sanity depends on it. So if wearing your pajamas is holding you back from exploring the outside world, you should definitely put on a change of clothes on in the morning.

Leaves Room for Surprise Guests

There’s nothing more embarrassing and unprofessional than getting caught with your pajamas on in the middle of the afternoon when a client or investor decides to unexpectedly stop by your home or wants to video chat for a surprise pop-in visit. Even opening the door for the mail man or FedEx guy in your jammies can be embarrassing, so clean up and get presentable early on—don’t start working and say you’ll do it later. You’ll probably get too immersed in work and forget about it (this is how you get unexpected surprises).

This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at online college about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.

I love actually speaking to my online friends and making that connection!  It is difficult to convey everything you want to say in a status update or 140 characters or less.  So when LaTersa, the founder of Moms Wearing Multiple Hats, and I spoke by the phone this week, I was charged up!  Because we put our brilliant little minds together and came up with an idea…

Hold a teleconference for you, our fans.

The one question we are asked constantly about working from home is how we manage it all.  Between the two of us, we have lots of kids, in her case a hubby, multiple businesses, mommy shoes to fill and we still manage to have some “me” time.

And we want to share our secrets with you!

This teleconference is going to be informative, fun and lively because we keep it real!  Plus, you will have a chance to win a valuable eBook and learn about upcoming events.

Will you join us?

Here’s the link.

We look forward to seeing you then!

You didn’t like it, did you?

So, let’s compare that to your social media presence.

Do your status updates consist solely of links, showcasing your latest articles, blog posts and achievements?

Do you belong to online networking groups, only to increase your online presence?

Do you retweet EVERY mention to all of your followers?

Is this starting to pinch a bit?

Let’s go back to the party scenario. The best social situations I have encountered have been those where there was a relatively even exchange in the conversation. The person asked about me, shared about themselves and then I did the same. We developed a rapport and showed mutual interest in each other’s lives. I love hearing about others but I also enjoy when they express a genuine desire to hear what I have to say as well.

The same goes for social media.

Instead of just constantly posting links, ask a question of your audience. I love sports so I may ask my followers about their favorite team or the big game.

Take the time to interact in those online networking groups you took the time to join. Participate in conversations and share with the other members. Your advice could very well help someone and believe me, they will remember that! By developing a rapport, you have shown yourself to be considerate and someone who is social media savvy.

Do what I tell my children: put on your listening ears. Your online followers and contacts are more than numbers and potential clients/sales. They are looking to you for advice but also to communicate with about their needs. Hear what they have to say and respond accordingly.

Be the belle of the party, not the one everyone avoids online.

When most families have a new baby, they have to make the decision about who will stay home with him or her, and for how long. Parents have to decide whether they want to stay home with their kids or have someone else take care of them during the day. If you have been lucky enough to be able to stay home while your children are young, you know how priceless that time was. Unfortunately, you also know how priceless the time you missed in the workforce was, as well. It seems that women who have children and careers are constantly at a disadvantage to professionals who don’t have kids or don’t need to be fully responsible for the ones they do have. If you have been out of the workforce because you were taking care of your children and you are now looking to get back into your industry again, here are the first simple steps to take now.

1. Freshen Up Your Resume

Even if you’re not job searching at the moment, re-vamping your resume will make you feel fresh and hep you pinpoint all the different ways you have changed and grown while raising your kids. Also, if you’ve been out of the work force for years, any potential employer will notice that it’s been awhile since your last job. Let them know about things that you have been doing in the mean time, such as heading up a mothers’ group or starting a home business. Go back and re-read your old resume, since you’ve had some time and distance from it. What kind of impression does it leave you with? Would you hire this person? Make sure your resume hits exactly the right note and that it highlights the skills you have to offer.

2. Figure Out What You’ve Missed

Don’t worry about telling future employers that you understand what you’ve missed while out of the workforce, make sure you tell yourself that! If you have been keeping track of changes in your industry while you’ve been home, you’re already a step ahead. Now, ask yourself if there is anything else that you are unsure about, whether it’s changes in industry legislation, technology, or industry culture. Do as much research as you can on changes in technology, and get some books to fill yourself in. Also, search for news about top companies or products to make sure you’re up to date. If you’re not online, create a professional profile on a social media site so employers can learn more about your background when they search for you.

3. Show Employers You’re Ready to Go

Okay, so once you know that you are ready to go, you have to figure out a way to communicate that to your employer. You don’t have too much at your disposal in order to do this: mainly just a cover letter, your resume, a portfolio, and whatever they can find online, if they even get that far. You will want to make it very clear that you understand that you have spent some time out of the industry, but that you will not need much time to adjust once you jump back in. Try to think of reasons that your time away has made you more prepared than ever to work in your industry. Did you have time to think about better ways to get things done, or did you come up with a great business plan? Let potential employers know that if they pass on you, you will be sure to be an asset somewhere else.

Angelita Williams is a contributing guest blogger who writes on the topics of online courses.  She welcomes your comments here and at her email Id: angelita.williams7 @gmail.com.