Ok, so it’s the Monday after Thanksgiving, and I woke up today soooo not in a working mood. I’m still recovering from the busy long weekend full of food, family, friends, and football. It took me a while to get going this morning (one of the perks working from home is I didn’t even have to get dressed until after I started the work day hee hee!), but I got myself there. And the dozens and dozens of email I had gotten over the weekend that greeted me this morning was a motivator to get my b*%t in gear. Another motivator? If I don’t work, I don’t get paid!

So it got me thinking to do today’s post on keeping motivated. After all, we telecommuters have to stay motivated, or the whole working from home thing just won’t cut it for us. It is so easy to become distracted and tempted to do other things around the home besides work.

Here are some tips on staying motivated while working from home:

1.) Remember what you’re doing it for. Are you working to support your family? Pay the mortgage? Fulfill a lifelong dream? Whatever your reason(s) may be, frequently remind yourself of them and allow them to propel you forward.

2.) Set deadlines. Deadlines are an awesome tool for staying motivated while working on a project. I recommend you break the tasks associated with the project into small pieces so that you can accomplish various steps. That way, you can experience the feeling of “getting it done” that we all crave.

3.) Reward yourself. You may not have a boss to reward you when you finish a big project. If that’s the case, establish a reward that you will give yourself when the project is complete. Treat yourself to a meal out, splurge on that new jacket you have had your eyes on, or give yourself a day off.

4.) Always have a support system to back you. For so many people working from home, isolation can be a big problem. It can lead to frustration and sometimes, failure. Therefore, find a place where you can connect and share experiences with other people, such as on DailyTelecommuter.com or a social networking site pertaining to your line of business. Even check out some local support groups in town that may be available. Just be resourceful, and find a network with which you feel the most comfortable and content.

5.) Don’t skimp on sleep. People who are self-employed or work from home tend to burn the midnight oil in order to accomplish everything they set out to do. I know this because I do it myself. I stay up late, get up early with my daughter, and by time the work day is halfway through, I’m often ready to collapse. So I’m slowly changing this habit and getting more sleep. After all, a well rested person is a more productive person. Power naps are also a great way to rejuvenate your body and mind. Take a quick one - no more than 20 minutes - if you can every other day.

6.) Eat well. My husband who works from home too can stand to hear this one. He stays so busy in his home office that the only trek to the kitchen he makes is to refill his coffee. By time dinnertime is nearing he is starving. I constantly tell him that eating good foods (not junk food!) every 2 to 3 hours helps maintain consistent blood sugar levels and keeps your body content and mind sharp.

7.) Take a walk. A brisk 15 minute walk in the morning will help clear your head and provide you with the energy and stamina to get through the day. Have a stressful day? A walk at the end of the work day can also help you clear your head and release any frustration that was caused from work earlier in the day.

8.) Give yourself much-needed breaks. Step away from the computer from time to time to gain perspective, give your eyes a break, and your body a stretch.

What are some of the things that keep you motivated working from home?

Digg:
Categories: Tips for Telecommuters
Tags: