Lone & Home Working!

As much as I love working from home; the cosy house sitter working in the warm, while it pours down outside, it can be hard work. Motivation, distraction and a complete block on any ‘new ideas’ are always a problem. The motivation of working alongside another, or even against in some cases, is something that you take for granted when working with co-workers. Someone to bang ideas about with, and even the odd bit of gossip too, is a must, especially in creative professions.

After having the constant ‘I MUST be working’ feeling nagging away in my head and, on noticing that a lot of fellow business owners felt pretty much the same, i have had a quick look at what can help in the hope of keeping more focused when working.

One of the easiest and helpful things iv found is that, when taking more notice of my daily coffee intake (I do love my coffee!) and, even then, drinking smaller amounts (a great excuse to make use of my cute vintage teacups!), it helps with avoiding the de-coffee slumps. I also mix in drinking herbal teas instead to help with refreshment and clear headedness – white tea is a good one for freshening up! I also start the day with a bottle of water by my side to try and ensure that I do not keep wondering off all the time to the kitchen, getting distracted on the way by laundry needing to be done and even healthy treats kept to hand so as to avoid sugar slumps is a good idea as well!

Here are some other tips that may help (and I am on work experience with them too!) but I would love to hear your tips too so please feel free to comment! Xx

♥ Keep to a dedicated work area;

♥ Try and keep distractions to a minimum – i.e. TV, internet, interruptions etc;

♥ Work to a specific timetable or work from a to-do list (and be stringent with it!), whichever is best for you;

♥ Don’t panic about taking ‘time out’ to clear your head if you have come to a block – go for a walk around the block or take the dog out for a run – sometimes a clear head works wonders when you are struggling to see the end result;

♥ Keep social networking and online shopping to a time limit deadline;

♥ Pick some dedicated ‘creative’ and’ likeminded’ friends to email when a second opinion or help with ideas is needed – even better if you have a ‘business friend’ – sometimes another person’s proof read is all you need!;

♥ Make sure you still act as though you work in the corporate world – get out of those PJs… on time!, get dressed, put your make-up on… the lot – it makes you work better and is a good confidence boost, making you feel like you are ready to face the world!;

♥ Tidy workspace, tidy mind – Good organisation is a must in most professional roles, don’t let it lack just because you work for yourself or at home - Beautify your stationary and work related products – it helps you to keep the good organisation up!

♥ Make your work area speak for you – I love spiritual things in my life and, as such, my area is an example of it. Make your work space an enhancement of yourself, it will be an easier environment to work in, in a more positive and productive way.

~x~ ~x~ ~x~