Time management is one of the biggest hurdles owners of home-based businesses encounter, according to longtime local psychologist Dr. Vincent Rose.

Rose presented tips on time management to local business owners during a recent Home-Based Business Lunch and Learn sponsored by Gloucester’s Economic Development department at the Bay Transit facility located off Fiddlers Green Road.

According to Rose, the biggest trap to working from home is seeing all the household items that need to be done and wanting to knock those items off the list before getting down to business.

Rose spoke about how crucial it is for home-based business owners to get and stay organized. “The biggest thief of time is disorganization,” he said. Being more organized directly equates to increased productivity, he added.

Another key strategy to the success of home-based business owners is “mindfulness,” which is staying actively aware of what tasks you are completing and what you are thinking while doing them, he said. This way, you are more apt to analyze your thoughts and may better realize when you’re doing something unproductive or harmful.
Next, Rose said it is important to have an overall plan of where you want to take your business. “Be realistic with that,” he said. Finally, one of the most important aspects to time management relative to the success of a home-based business is taking care of yourself.

“Put the oxygen mask on yourself first,” Rose said. “If you want to look after your business, you have to look after yourself first.” This includes setting limits for yourself so that you won’t accept too much on your plate and end up completing jobs halfway. Following Rose’s presentation, those in attendance spent about 30 minutes networking and sharing their own ideas and experiences with time management.