We’ve been having problems in our home with Internet connections. 
 At first, only one of the three computers wouldn’t connect, so I could switch to a different one for my writing business.  Now nothing will connect, and my hubby has spent more than 24 hours troubleshooting.
But I must post on my blogs for my blogging commitments nearly everyday.  What are the solutions?

Use neighbor’s computer
See if our laptop will connect at her house
See if it will connect at the local library’s network
Or use a library computer where I know I can get access.
Use an Internet cafe, but our small town doesn’t have …read more

Do you try to start your week off with goals set regarding what you plan to accomplish?  Do you write these down on a schedule or simply have vague ones in your head?
Some people say they take time Sunday afternoon or evening to plan their week.  You’ll know, if you have an outside the home job, when you’re working, unless it’s an “on call” type of position such as the substitute teaching I do.  However, I make my plans, leaving the flexibility for getting called.
What goals do you have for your job or your business?  Are there special events happening?  …read more

If you write a blog for your business, you may tend to run out of topics or update ideas.  Then you become frustrated and discouraged and wonder why you’re doing this.  However, if you continue writing frequent posts, you’re more likely to have readers coming to your blog.
What about making a list of 100 post ideas for your blog (today!), an idea discussed by Oscar Del Ben, guest poster at Daily Blog Tips.  Oscar said it took him about three hours to do this.  However, if you don’t have three uninterrupted hours, keep a notebook beside you and jot down the …read more

If you’re involved in a sewing and/or quilting business, you may find my Thursday 13 list of handy dandy gadgets interesting and even helpful in better organizing your tasks for increased productivity.  Some of the gadgets may be fascinating in themselves.
Often something may seem a challenge for your budget, but in the long run save you time and increase productivity so that it pays for itself.  However, once you purchase it, you must USE it so that your money doesn’t go to waste.
What are some gadgets that have been worthwhile for you, whether in a sewing business or some other type?
(Image: …read more

Do you find some seasons are better for your business than others, that there are “down” times when the income isn’t so good? How do you organize and plan for this?

Become aware that some businesses are seasonal or are better at specific times during the year.
Arrange promotions for these times. Some businesses organize sales during “off” seasons.
Plan to adjust your home and business budgets accordingly.
Look for new lines to add that don’t greatly increase your expense but will increase interest in your business and sales.
Find an parttime job that will help bring in income to tide you over. This doesn’t …read more

Do you keep track of trends when organizing your business goals?  Or are you on a set path and won’t allow deviation even when there are other inflouences, advances or changes?
Sometimes focus and persistence along a planned path are good.  However, you might want to allow enough deviation to take into consideration trends in markets, the economy, and customers’ preferences.
For instance, I’ve discussed deviations to take into account for current trends (Considering the Market Trend for Your Home Business Products) at Home Biz Notes.  You may have a particular business with product or service, but need to keep current with …read more

With so many online and e-mail newsletters available, many of us subscribe to numerous ones, thinking they’ll be interesting to read, as well as furnish information valuable to our research and/or business.  We also may subscribe to print publications.
However, have you begun to be distracted by trying to read all of these items?  Do you spend far too much time even just browsing through them when you should concentrate on being more productive in your business?
“But I’m just doing research, learning more about my business or my product.  I’m not wasting time,” you justify.
Nevertheless, you find yourself spending time reading …read more

I’ve worked midst both clutter and organization in my various business ventures over the years. I’ve learned life isn’t perfect, so I’ve had to work…whether using my computer, making quilts and doing dressmaking at my sewing maching, creating art work at the dining table, planning books and other projects…wherever I could find space and time. I’ve had to be flexible.
I prefer having everything organized, but life hasn’t always given me that option, especially in a multigenertional home. So I’ve learned to organize whenever I can, but not wait until everything was at the desired state of perfection. 
I’d  appreciate tips from those who have …read more

It’s a particular challenge for work-at-home parents during the summer when the youngsters are around all day.  Perhaps they’re at camp part of the time.  Perhaps there are activities in your town to keep them occupied on occasion.
However, you may find yourself organizing crafts and activities to keep them occupied while you catch up on your business, make deadlines, meet with customers and attempt to stay on schedule.
Here are a few activities I’ve posted at b5media’s Blisstree, where I write for the Parenting and Arts/Crafts section.  This round-up of arts and crafts may help you organize your day so you can …read more

Do you have a calendar, in addition to your “to do” list, that lets you keep on track with your work each day, week, and month?  This notes orders, deadlines, and those you’ve filled.
In our multi-generational household, we have a large, regular monthly calendar on the wall.  There we all write down appointments, church and work schedules, meetings and recreational days.  We coordinate our schedules accordingly.
For my writing work (I currently write several blogs and a newspaper column with deadlines), I keep a small notebook for each blog and my column.  There I write down posts, pre-posts and planned posts.  Then …read more