My Attitude to My Business
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.
Recent Comments
3
Thank you for that post. I'm so looking forward to making such a schedule for myself. It's a ways off yet, but I'll keep this in mind when the time comes.
Sometimes things can happen faster than you think. My choice was made for me when circumstances changed but I'm glad it happened.
See more comments
Great post, thanks for sharing Rich.