Work From Home Tips - Tip #8: Motivation

Tip #8: Motivation.

This question goes without asking, but I will ask it anyway: How many times have you sat down to start work and gotten distracted, or you just did not feel motivated to do the work that needed to be done? We have all done it. Every single one of us. Many times over.

Here are some things to consider: 1. You are working at home instead of in an office or in a teeny tiny cubicle. 2. You have much more time to spend with your family now that you are working from home. 3. You don't have a boss or supervisor monitoring your every move. 4. You are your own boss. 5. You can take breaks without being glared at.

I'm 100% sure there are other things that motivate people to want to work at home. However, you have to find what motivates you and concentrate on it. Motivation is very important to working at home. If you're not motivated you won't get any work done. And if you don't get any work done, you don't make any money.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post. I would also love to hear some of the things that motivate you. Check back tomorrow for more tips about working at home, and subscribe to the blog if you like it!

Work From Home Tips - Tip #7: Set Boundaries for Those Around You.

Tip #7: Set Boundaries for Those Around You.

How many times have you told someone that you are working only to have that person ask you to go to the movies or some other leisurely activity? It's probably happened to a lot of people; I know it's happened to me. The best way to avoid this is to set boundaries. Let your family and friends know that you are unavailable during certain hours of the day.

A lot of people do not understand what it means to work from home. It doesn't mean that you can take breaks whenever you want, and you certainly shouldn't. Less work means less money. Family and friends need to understand that this is more than you just sitting at home playing on the computer. They need to understand that you are working full time, just like you would be if you were working full time at an office job.

Lastly, let your family and friends know when you are available. Set a time for yourself when you can take a day to spend with family or friends, or to just relax, and let them know when it is. This way you are less likely to be disturbed during your work time for different outings. Make sure, however, that you are making it clear to your family and friends that you are not blowing them off. Try to emphasize that working at home is part of a lifestyle and that it takes a lot of work and effort on your part.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post. Check back tomorrow for more tips about working at home, and subscribe to the blog if you like it!

Work From Home Tips - Tip #6:Don't Devote Your Life to Work

Tip #6: Don't Devote Your Life to Work.

When working from home, it's easy to let your work consume you. In fact, for most jobs, it is easy to let work consume you. Within most occupations, people will tell you to leave your work at work. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but when you are working from home it can be even more difficult.

Even when you are working from home you need to find time for you. You also need to find time for your family and friends. Family and friends are your biggest support systems, and the people you depend on to lift you up when you're down. Make sure when you are spending time with family and friends that you don't just talk about work. Find a fun topic to discuss; talk about family, talk about anything other than work. If work comes up, address the question/comment but move on quickly. Remember, work should be left at work.

Once again, when it's time to quit work, it's time to quit work. Leave it in your defined work space at the end of the day. Go spend some time with family or doing something else that you enjoy. Find a hobby that you enjoy and spend some time doing that a few times a week. This can be a time for you to relax and clear your mind of work.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post. Check back tomorrow for more tips about working at home, and subscribe to the blog if you like it!

Work From Home Tips - Tip #5: Does Your Work Space Help or Hurt?

Tip #5: Does Your Work Space Help or Hurt?

When you look at your work space does it make you want to sit down and work or does it make you want to run away? If it makes you want to run away, or even if you like it, you may want to consider freshening up your work space. By this, I mean you may want to consider putting things in your work space that will encourage your work or will make it a happier place.

The first thing you may consider is insuring that your work space is comfortable. Probably not a couch or bed, but a comfortable desk chair that you don't mind sitting in for a few hours at a time. This is especially important if you have back problems or other problems that prevent you from sitting in one place for too long. A nice, comfortable desk chair is something worth investing in; especially if you plan to be sitting for long periods of time at a desk.

The second thing you may want to consider is making your work space a happier place. Add some bright colors, such as blue, green, purple, red, or something else that fits your personality. Light blue is a good color if you want to have a more calm work space. Also, add some things that inspire you. Quotes, pictures of family and friends, pictures of nature, or anything else that may have a positive impact on your mood. Make your work space your own. This is where you will be spending much of your time and it should be a place that you enjoy.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post. I would also love to hear some of the things that inspire you! Check back tomorrow for more tips about working at home, and subscribe to the blog if you like it!

Work From Home Tips - Tip #4: Neat Work Space!

Tip #4: Neat Work Space!

How many times have you sat down at your desk and just sighed when you looked down? How many times have you sat down to work and found yourself cleaning instead of doing work? If you answered more than one to either of those questions, you might want to consider this: clean up your work space.

Having a clean work space will definitely help you stay motivated on your work rather than on cleaning up the area where you're trying to work. If you put papers out while you are working, make sure that you put those up when you finish for the day. Put papers in a neat stack, pencils and pens in a holder, and any other supplies should be put away when you are finished for the day.

Making sure your work space is clean the night before will ensure that you don't need to clean up your workspace before you even start working the next day. When you don't have to start your day by making room for you to work, you will have a more successful day of work because you got off to a better start. After all, aren't we all trying to be more successful by working at home?

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post. Check back tomorrow for more tips about working at home, and subscribe to the blog if you like it!

Work From Home Tips - Tip #3: Start Your Day the Right Way

Tip #3: Start Your Day the Right Way.

When was the last time you went to work looking like you just crawled out of bed? Probably never. So why would you do the same even if you are working from home? Instead of getting out of bed and going straight to work, take a shower and get dressed and ready for your day just like you would if you were going to work with coworkers that you see every day.

Getting a shower first thing in the morning will help you feel refreshed and energized. Shaving and getting dressed will also motivate you to get your day started off right. Next, go eat breakfast! This will not only help you feel more prepared to work, so your not hopping up for snacks later, but it also jump starts your metabolism and will help you be in a better mood throughout the day.

Now that you have taken a shower, shaved, gotten dressed, and eaten breakfast, you are ready to start your day and go to work. Granted, everyday may not start out perfect, but you can do your best to try and make it happen. Add this into your routine, make it part of your everyday life and see if it doesn't help you stay on schedule.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post. Check back tomorrow for more tips about working at home, and subscribe to the blog if you like it!

Work From Home Tips - Tip #2: Stick to your Schedule

Tip #2: Stick to your Schedule.

Becoming familiar with a new schedule can be difficult. It can be so tempting to sleep in, watch T.V., play games, or even become distracted by all the household chores that need to be finished. These are all distractions, and there are plenty more, that either need to be avoided or need to be put aside during your scheduled work time.

Sticking to a schedule will help you stay in a routine, and thus you will get more work done. I know it's difficult to put off distractions while you are working at home, but if you can it will make working at home a lot less difficult.

Lastly, if you find you can't put off your distraction, don't put it off. Do what you need to do, but don't try to make up the work time lost later in the day. Just accept the fact that that time will be lost. If you find that you have lost a significant number of hours of work throughout the week, you can set yourself a couple of hours to work on Saturday or Sunday, but try not to work too much on the weekend. It is the weekend after all!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post. Check back tomorrow for more tips about working at home, and subscribe to the blog if you like it!