1. Separate your space
Create a barrier between your own space and the rest of the world. Maintain a separate work location in your house. (This is especially challenging if you live and operate in a shoebox studio like I did when I first started my business in New York City!) If you don’t have a separate room, set off an area and recognize that you’re in “work mode” when you’re in it.
2. Make a Timetable
It’s more crucial than ever to arrange your day when your work and personal lives merge. If you go for a walk or go to the gym on a regular basis, try to do it at the same time every day.
Even if you’re really busy, value that one-on-one time with yourself. It will truly assist you in keeping your company on track! I prefer to wake up early and work until noon, then take a couple of hours off to eat lunch, read, and go for my daily beach jog. Then, at 4:00 p.m., I’m back at my desk till who knows when!
3. Outsource whatever you can
I made the mistake of functioning as my own courier service when I first started my company. I quickly saw how much time I was spending visiting clients on a regular basis to pick up and drop off items.
STOP thinking to yourself, “Well, I can simply do it myself.” Streamline your business by automating as much as possible. To keep focused on your *real work*, employ outside services. Set up accounts with a courier service, a messenger service, a virtual assistant (VA), a bookkeeper, and so on. Save your vitality for your creative concepts! 🙂
4. Make the most of technology
When appropriate, in-person meetings are extremely beneficial, but they should be scheduled infrequently. Use the greatest equipment you can afford to do most of your business over the phone, fax, and e-mail.
When you’re out of the office, most home-based businesses aren’t producing money. As a result, it’s critical that you can communicate seamlessly no matter where you are. Also, please do us all a favor and acquire the separate phone, fax, and Internet lines/services! Nobody enjoys receiving a busy signal.
If your phone carrier provides voicemail, make use of it. Not only will your outgoing message seem more professional, but other callers will be able to leave you a message if you’re on an essential call and don’t want to be distracted.
5. Make a list of your errands
To reduce your out-of-office time, try to schedule your meetings and errands together. Make a list of all the outdoor things you need to perform for the day in the morning and try to complete them all at once. Even better, do what I do and set aside one day a week for errands and meetings as your “blitz” day. Plus, you’ll just have to get dressed once a week! 🙂
6. Maintain your concentration
When you’re working, keep your workplace off-limits to other housemates or family members. This may also apply to pets, for those of you who are animal lovers. (When I don’t give my cat Francine my whole attention, she becomes enraged!) Keep any personal material out of sights, such as bills, magazines, and to-do lists, so you don’t become distracted from your task.
7. Watch out for yappers
Many of your friends and family members will be ecstatic to discover that you’re working from home. They imagine you reclining on the couch, munching on potato chips while waiting for their phone calls.
If they just want to speak, respectfully tell them that you’re at work and ask if you may call them back after your day is done. They’ll grasp the concept eventually, even if it takes a long.
8. Pay Attention to Your Moods
Keep track of your moods and productivity throughout the day and compare them to the time of day. If you’re more awake in the morning, for example, utilize that time to make essential calls and concentrate on your creative projects.
Use your natural cycles to your advantage. If an afternoon sleep makes you feel better, go for it! (I’m a huge fan of the catnap.) In fact, I’m thinking about starting a support group.)
9. Dress to the occasion
Make your setting ideal for YOU in order to do your best work. How do you prefer to work? With a lot of breaks, or with no breaks at all? Is it better to be alone or to have some light music playing in the background? On a plush sofa with a coffee table, or on an ergonomic chair at a business desk?
Also, when you need a change of scenery, choose some areas where you can work. What about the library, the park, or the coffee shop in your neighborhood? I take my work to the beach when I need to conduct a serious reading, thinking, or editing. The sea breeze, sunshine, and calming waves allow me to think more clearly.
10. Break for People
Do you have a lethargic, lonely, or grumpy feeling? Make plans for at least one social break each week. Schedule a meeting with a customer, vendor, or friend for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even just coffee.
Sign up for a corporate networking organization or social activities like a dancing class or a leisure sports league. Don’t become a recluse; it might be harmful to your health!
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