My Attitude to My Business

byrichcrow

572 followers

12 years ago

I'm writing this from my office which just so happens to be my lounge. I guess I'm lucky in some respects in that I don't have lots of distractions around me as I live alone in a quiet flat (appartment) and have quiet neighbours.

When I first began working from home I had problems focusing on what I was doing, mainly because it was too easy to do other things than being productive - certain websites can be great time-stealers!

Then one day I was reading someone's blog here about a professional approach to working on your own business. It was then I realised that I have a business to run.

I changed my routine a little and this is what works for me. If it helps you too then even better!

The first thing I changed was my attire - I can't be a business person in my PJ's or slouchy stuff. That's not to say that I don't sit at my PC dressed like this, just not while I'm working. So when I'm working I like to wear smart casual clothes.

The second thing I did was to change my routine. It's a long commute from the lounge to the lounge!! So what I do is go for a short walk as if I was going to work in a different place. During that time I make my plan for the day - research, emails, writing, etc. and then when I sit down to work I write it down. This is important to me as I'm easily distracted with new ideas and so this gives me a focus for the day. If I do get an idea while I'm working then I write it down and come back to it later when I've completed what I set out to achieve.

What I also did was to change my profile picture (thank you Jorge) as it tells others as well as myself that I treat my business seriously - who wants to do business with a cat, a dog or other inanimate object?

Then, at the end of the day (or night!) I go for another short walk to show that work is done for the day and I can slouch.

This is what works for me and may not be for everyone but I hope it helps one or two of you out there.

Thanks for taking the time to read,

Richard.