Think working from home is too good to be true? Think again!

When I was pregnant with my daughter in 2008, I realized my life was about to change drastically. Along with the awesome responsibility of being the caregiver of another human came a lot of other, smaller responsibilities such as doctor appointments, play groups, packing lunches, etc.

In anticipation of returning to work, I decided to propose a new schedule including some work from home and time flexibility. My priority was to ensure my commitment to meeting my job responsibilities. As luck would have it, I stumbled upon the amazing web site Work Options, which I used to help me craft both my telecommuting and my maternity leave proposals. I'm happy to disclose my affiliate status with this excellent company.

Note the old-school flip phone

The freedom to work when I want, where I want, allows me to deliver superior results for my company. I am available for questions at extended times. I feel inclined to work late on a deadline knowing that I control my schedule the next day. Most of all, I feel empowered by the trust that my employer instills in me to use my best judgement, and in return I put forth my best effort. For more on what drives motivation in the workplace, I suggest Daniel Pink's recent book Drive.

Since 2008, I have always had the privilege of working in an environment that afforded me some flexibility. Since this is such an amazing situation to have, I want to give as many friends, colleagues, and readers as possible an introduction to Work Options.

Please join me at 9 pm EST on June 11 for a free Work Options telecommuting webinar specifically designed for Charismama readers. I'm delighted that Pat Katepoo, founder of Work Options, will be online to answer your questions. I look forward to seeing many of you online.

Just click on this link to register! It's free, so you have nothing to lose but so much to gain ... like control over your own time.

Stop and smell the roses

Right around Mother's Day this year, I was feeling quite busy and a bit stressed as a consequence. I'd just returned from a long (6 day) business trip with full days and late nights, complete with 8 hours of plane travel each way. I was also gearing up for my daughter's 6th birthday party, which we were hosting at our house. We had to clean the place, assemble favors, decorate, buy snacks and drinks, etc. Add all this to a busy week of work catching up from my week out of the office was a recipe for feeling overwhelmed.

I was so distracted and stuck in the to-do list in my head that I kept putting off taking care of the lovely roses my husband and daughter had bought me for Mother's Day.

In fact, I was absently feeling a bit resentful of having yet another task to do.

Fortunately, I realized how foolish that thought was, and I was able to transform the care of my roses into a mindfulness exercise.

I enjoyed the snapping sound that the bottom of the stems made as I trimmed them carefully at an angle.

I watched the rose food dissolve into the water.

And I inhaled the lovely fragrance of the roses. Blissful.

This only took 5 minutes from my day, but was one of the more relaxing moments. But only because I reframed my perspective and turned my feelings of overwhelm into a more constructive attitude.

What do you have to do tomorrow that you can reframe as a privilege?