The Office Gal

Today, I have picked to add some links from some sites and blogs not normally featured here at The Office Gal. I thought I would add a bit of change to what we normally read here. I have still given you some great posts on tips for discussing with clients where you actually work, as well as how you can relax in the workplace when you feel stress inching up your back.

And yes, I did not forget to add some just to help you realize that work is not everything!

Enjoy!

• Juggle Your Work for Multiple Bosses @ Monster.com.
• Ten Excuses for Missing Work @ Monster.com.
• Should Clients Know You Work From Home @ Telecommuting Diva.
• 10 Tips to Relax in the Workplace @ Productivity Goal.
• 3 Tips for Creating Positive Personal Impact @ Career Superstar.
• Is There A Future for Work / Life Balance @ Brown Bag, part of Mommy Track’d.

And as always, if you have a link that you feel would be great to feature in our weekly link love, please let us know!

This is an original The Office Gal post.

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Some people are comfortable with clutter. Some people feel at home in the midst of chaos. I am not one of those people. Clutter, to me, is a constant reminder of work undone, of a lack of solitude, a lack of balance. Clutter is oppressive. My favorite day of the year is the day of “de-Christmas-ing” my home. Don’t get me wrong…I love Christmas. I love the beautiful and magical way my home looks for about two weeks, but by the time December 28th rolls around, I’m done. As a matter of fact, I’m more than done. The “de-Christmas-ing” is a joyful process, and when I’m finished, I feel as though I can breathe….it must be Spring!

Those of us who work from home face many challenges when our home becomes our workplace as well. There are boundaries that need to be established so that work can be given the consistent attention it needs. There are always distractions abounding when working from home, and they key for me is to keep those distractions to a minimum. When the sink is piled high with dishes and laundry is overflowing, my ‘working’ mind tends to wander to the kitchen instead of having the clarity to stay focused on work.

Over the years, I have found that one of the most productive activities I can accomplish is a quick once-through the house in the morning to pick up and organize the clutter. The living room, the kitchen and my office are the main focus. Once those areas of the house are ‘picked up’ and ‘cleaned up’, I can focus on my work without the clutter creeping into my brain. That 15 or 20 minutes spent getting organized in the morning creates untold dividends throughout the rest of the day, and when work is done, I emerge to find a clutter-free zone that is peaceful and organized and ready to enjoy with my family!

Ellen Gaver lives on the Central Coast of California with her husband and their teenage son. Ellen is the founder of Slo County Moms, an organization dedicated to promoting health and wellness through education, and to mentoring men and women who desire to work from home. Committed to family balance and a healthy lifestyle, Ellen is passionate and helping others create the life they’ve imagined. www.SloCountyMoms.com

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