Having a successful home-based business is a challenging endeavor. We must be self-reliant, self-motivated, and discipline ourselves in order to attain success in both areas.

Letting the phone calls, emails and paperworks keep you tied down making you feel you don't get to spend quality time with your family when you are running business from home. Maybe you’ve noticed that you spend a little more time than you’d like in front of your computer or on the phone. You started out with such noble intentions, but maybe the excitement of success in your business has caused you to lose sight of the REAL reason do what you do each day.

To prioritize your life and business read on:

1. Be honest - You probably didn’t start your work-at-home career to climb the "corporate ladder" of your at-home business. Spend some time in prayer and ask the Lord to show you the things that you need to change.

Are you spending too much time on the phone, the computer, etc?

Do you snap at your children because of the stresses of your business?

2. Make a list of things you want to change. This can be a list of ways you can "de-stress" so that you can deal kindly with your family.

3. Log your time. Every time you sit down at your desk, write "IN" in the box that corresponds to the time and day. At the end of the week, total up the hours each day that you have spent on business tasks. Are you surprised or is it about where you thought you’d be? Prioritize things and have the work that will require the most effort and concentration scheduled for your peak time. Stay on task focusing on what you need to do and try not to get sidetracked. If you only answer them at set hours, you save yourself from being online all day and not accomplishing much.

4. If you get to the end of the week and your time log has you in shock, it’s time to take a break. Shut down your email, turn off the ringer on your phone and shut the door to your office. You’ll be surprised at how refreshing this will be. If your children are in school, make it a point to stop working when they get home. If possible, have a grandparent watch them once or twice a week to allow you a bit more work time.

5. Plan an activity that includes the whole family. This can be an outing with your child or just something simple like setting aside time to make cookies together. Make a weekly play date where your children can spend time together.

The time needed for each will be different for every family and situation. Take the time to find what works for you and set your schedule accordingly. When your family not only is proud of your accomplishments in your business, but also more importantly your accomplishments as their mom.