Why not begin my latest report with a harsh and sweeping generalisation? However, it is a topic that is raised and covered almost exhaustively in articles, and clearly remains a niggling problem for many. How do you manage a working life when it is situated in your domestic environment? How do you exert the necessary discipline now that you are your own boss? How do you kindly explain to well-meaning friends and family that you are neither bored nor lonely, you are in fact working? I found the hardest person to convince was myself.
Once you have won yourself round to your way of thinking, you become more believable telling others. There are a plethora (who doesn’t love that word?) of wonderful articles on the subject. I have compiled a list of ideas I employed to create my working world at home, some practical, some devious! As an avid list compiler I bestow this upon you dear blog reader, and you are very welcome!
· Give yourself one hour in the morning of each day to work out, meditate or carry out urgent housework. Take that hour to rid yourself of anything that could distract you later in the day. Don’t forget to eat, at least get some coffee and toast down you!
· If you are like me you maybe dreamed of working from home someday, trotting up to your sunny desk to flip on your ultra-slim laptop in your PJs. That will be chocolate! Dressing for work is a must, so put down the Onesie and step away! You are a professional and you must dress like one. Be smart and fresh and your mind will follow.
· One of my favourites, list compiling! To be clear, daily planning. At the end of the day I spend ten minutes to prioritise and plan my tasks for the next day. Anything not accomplished I pop on the list for the next day. I do keep a desk diary to throw ideas, times and events down. In addition I find it useful to throw up a list on my desktop called ‘Daily Tasks’. Prioritise tasks in order of importance and all I need to do the next day is open the page, follow the list and waste no more time dithering and thinking. Perform your most difficult of tasks at the most productive time of the day for you.
· Lose the guilt about non-productive days. If you are getting nowhere, or your mind will not focus on the tasks at hand, take the rest of the day off. Plan carefully for the next day instead. I personally find that working only one extra hour the next day will more than make up for an entire day of dithering.
· Structure your day! Clearly define the hours you are open for business to all of your customers and clearly define the hours you will spend working and stick to them. Giving yourself strict hours to accomplish a set amount of goals will propel you forward and you will spend your time wisely.
· Friends, family and acquaintances may take some time to understand your new working life. Foresee this problem before it arises, telling all this applies to the hours you ARE available, putting a positive spin on this. To cement the idea, tell them you appreciate their support in your venture and how much it matters to you that they do. They will feel included and supportive and give you that space voluntarily (hopefully).
· For more persistent visitors who arrive at your door unannounced, devious and sneaky tactics may be called upon. I would arrive at the door with my glasses on, pen in one hand and a phone and/or writing pad in the other. Be delighted and invite them in, spend some time with them. You will enjoy the afternoon and they will be left with the impression that you are, in fact, working during the day. You were kind and they received the message clearly and naturally. They will choose a more appropriate time to visit next and no feelings were hurt in the making of your first million.
· It is the end of the working day. Prepare your tasks for the next day, switch off your work phone and put away your work. I have a box file, everything is visually tidied away. It is not going anywhere and will greet you in the morning when you are rested and ready to go.
As always I would love to hear tips and comments on the topics raised in each report. The more ideas, the more help for others to begin their adventure!
Once you have won yourself round to your way of thinking, you become more believable telling others. There are a plethora (who doesn’t love that word?) of wonderful articles on the subject. I have compiled a list of ideas I employed to create my working world at home, some practical, some devious! As an avid list compiler I bestow this upon you dear blog reader, and you are very welcome!
· Give yourself one hour in the morning of each day to work out, meditate or carry out urgent housework. Take that hour to rid yourself of anything that could distract you later in the day. Don’t forget to eat, at least get some coffee and toast down you!
· If you are like me you maybe dreamed of working from home someday, trotting up to your sunny desk to flip on your ultra-slim laptop in your PJs. That will be chocolate! Dressing for work is a must, so put down the Onesie and step away! You are a professional and you must dress like one. Be smart and fresh and your mind will follow.
· One of my favourites, list compiling! To be clear, daily planning. At the end of the day I spend ten minutes to prioritise and plan my tasks for the next day. Anything not accomplished I pop on the list for the next day. I do keep a desk diary to throw ideas, times and events down. In addition I find it useful to throw up a list on my desktop called ‘Daily Tasks’. Prioritise tasks in order of importance and all I need to do the next day is open the page, follow the list and waste no more time dithering and thinking. Perform your most difficult of tasks at the most productive time of the day for you.
· Lose the guilt about non-productive days. If you are getting nowhere, or your mind will not focus on the tasks at hand, take the rest of the day off. Plan carefully for the next day instead. I personally find that working only one extra hour the next day will more than make up for an entire day of dithering.
· Structure your day! Clearly define the hours you are open for business to all of your customers and clearly define the hours you will spend working and stick to them. Giving yourself strict hours to accomplish a set amount of goals will propel you forward and you will spend your time wisely.
· Friends, family and acquaintances may take some time to understand your new working life. Foresee this problem before it arises, telling all this applies to the hours you ARE available, putting a positive spin on this. To cement the idea, tell them you appreciate their support in your venture and how much it matters to you that they do. They will feel included and supportive and give you that space voluntarily (hopefully).
· For more persistent visitors who arrive at your door unannounced, devious and sneaky tactics may be called upon. I would arrive at the door with my glasses on, pen in one hand and a phone and/or writing pad in the other. Be delighted and invite them in, spend some time with them. You will enjoy the afternoon and they will be left with the impression that you are, in fact, working during the day. You were kind and they received the message clearly and naturally. They will choose a more appropriate time to visit next and no feelings were hurt in the making of your first million.
· It is the end of the working day. Prepare your tasks for the next day, switch off your work phone and put away your work. I have a box file, everything is visually tidied away. It is not going anywhere and will greet you in the morning when you are rested and ready to go.
As always I would love to hear tips and comments on the topics raised in each report. The more ideas, the more help for others to begin their adventure!