Working at Home with Distractions

When working at home with a family, things can get pretty hectic.  When your family consists not only of children and traditional pets but also a duck, things can definitely take a different path than you intended when you originally planned the day.

I work as a freelance writer and an information provider.   Several times a week I also give a live conference call showcasing my adventures working from home.   Technically, this call is supposed to be a presentation of the company I work for as an information provider.  However, due to all the extra manifestations during this conference, it often serves the purpose of proving I really do work out of the home. 

Imagine hosting a conference with several guests who are there to hear a ‘professional overview’ of what they will be doing with your company.  Suddenly a duck walks by quacking nonstop at the top of his little duck lungs.  You can safely bet everyone on the conference line is wondering ‘Wasthat a duck I just heard?’    Unfortunately, the line has been set to ‘presentation mode’ so everyone knows the duck came from your ‘office.’   Our duck’s name is Dusty and he has his own fan page if you are curious as to how we ended up with duck for a pet. It’s a great story.

My children also have a Siamese cat that yowls to express himself.   He has been known to sneak up behind me while I’m presenting and let out a magnificent howl of frustration if he can’t find the kids.  This can be disconcerting and definitely throws me off my game but we haven’t gotten to the poodle yet.  Poodle?  Yes, poodle.  His name is Buddy and he is proof of ghosts and apparitions.  You see, Buddy tends to be lying there peacefully and then without warning lets out a yip like he’s been goosed. Whether you are presenting on a live call or sitting at your computer quietly writing, this sudden yelp is designed to make you jump out your skin.  Also, if UPS delivers a package or the mailman knocks, it’s sure to set Buddy into poodle hysterics.  There is no way I can pretend I work in an office when this occurs so all of my calls do start with my stating up front that I work out of my home.  Most folks are very understanding and seem to appreciate the concept of ‘real’ work at home as demonstrated in my own adventures.

All in all I wouldn’t trade working at home for anything.  Well, on some days, I swear I’d trade it for a good piece of chocolate but that’s another story.  The best part of working as an information provider is that I can help others have their own adventures and they don’t have to give presentations like I do.  They can simply enjoy the fun of reaching their goals in their own ‘work habitat.’  I work with an excellent Internet community that gives its members free tools, training and other great resources so even those with a learning curve can get started quickly. 

As I sit here, Buddy just snapped at an imaginary assailant and the cat is approaching because the kids just left him in the house while they went outside (no doubt to release the duck and he’ll waddle through the door before long).  I find I’m okay with all of that. 

Krissy Mayse is a freelance writer and also the Social Media Trainer for EveVenture,LLC.  She enjoys writing about her homestate of Texas and training other women how to be successful working from home using EveVenture's free tools and training.  Contact her directly from her EveVenture website or message her on Facebook if you have interest in learning more about the EveVenture work at home program.