Working From Home
Human Distractions
You can eliminate all sort of distractions around you… but if you don’t also eliminate the human distractions, you’re not going to get much done.
If you’re working at home, your roommates, spouse and/or children will keep popping in to chat if you let them. At work, your colleagues will stop by with questions, feedback or just to talk about last night’s ending on their favorite reality TV show. And even in public (like sitting at a Starbucks) you can’t get away from people who want to use up some of your precious time with trivial matters.
So here’s what you need to do:
Let everyone around you know that you need
an uninterrupted period of time to get your work done.
Here are tips to help you communicate your needs at home, at work and in public:
⇒ If you’re in public, use “don’t bother me” body language and other cues. Don’t make eye contact with others. Put your hand to your head to indicate you’re concentrating. Put headphones on (even if you don’t have music playing) as a way to show people you’re not interested in talking.
If someone does initiate conversation, politely but firmly let them know that you’re on a deadline and must finish your task.
⇒ When you’re at home, let your household members know you need some uninterrupted time. If you have children, ask your partner (or even a friend or neighbor) to watch the children while you enjoy uninterrupted time (and then offer the same in return). Shut the door and hang a sign on it, if necessary.
⇒ When you’re at work, shut your door whenever possible. If that’s not possible, then use the “don’t bother me” body language and other cues.
Riptide Warning
Ever been to the coast and seen the warning flags cautioning surfers of the rip tides. A rip tide iis a strong channel of water flowing away from the shoreline.
If you work on a computer – and if you’re connected to the Internet while doing so – then you know how big of a distraction being online can be riptides pulling you away from you work.
It’s even worse if what you’re currently working on actually requires you to be online and surfing (like research).
You check your email. You read blogs. You join discussions on forums. You click here and there, reading whatever catches your eye. And before you know it, you’ve wasted an entire hour while accomplishing absolutely nothing.
You’ve already discovered a few ways to avoid these distractions, including:
⇒ Setting a time limit on your activities. This includes setting both a time limit on your tasks as well as your online leisure activities. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that watching endless YouTube videos is a form of research.
⇒ Setting a timer where you give 100% effort for 20 minutes at time (and you don’t allow yourself to do anything else).
Beyond that, you need to eliminate the remaining distractions as much as you can.
⇒ Shut down all unnecessary windows on your computer, including your email and extra browser windows.
Tip: Instead of closing windows, you’ll use a software to just show your active workspace, and thus hide distractive windows/applications. Check ScreenMask or DropCloth for Windows, BackDrop for Mas OS X.
⇒ Whenever possible, disconnect yourself from the Internet so that you’re not tempted to surf around aimlessly or check your email endlessly getting pull out by the riptide.
Simple Systems
A system is a way to complete a task in the most efficient and/or cost-effective manner. If you develop routines and then create efficient systems to carry out these daily routines, you’ll see your productivity skyrocket.
Let me explain…
Remember earlier when I gave you an example of how to handle your email? You might consider that an email system, because it’s a proven way to save time answering emails.
That’s just one example. However, you can create an efficient system around virtually every major task you perform. Doing so will save you time and money.
Example: Let’s suppose you’re selling products on eBay. If you have multiple auctions going at any moment, then you know how time-consuming it is to create the auction ads, take pictures, touch base with prospects and customers and pack and ship the merchandise.
In order to save yourself a whole lot of time and hassle, what you’ll need to do is create a series of systems for uploading your auction ads, answering your customer inquiries, closing your auctions and doing the actual packing and shipping.
Example: You may want to develop auction templates for your ads. That way you don’t have to fiddle with the design, and you can use the same terms and disclaimers in all of your ads. It will only take a few minutes to create and post each ad if you use a template.
Second, you may use auction software and tools to create and monitory your auctions.
Third, you may set aside a special email just for your auction questions and set aside two time blocks per day to answer questions.
Finally, you can create a packing and shipping system that makes the process go quicker.
Example: You may set up an “assembly line” system to pack and shift product. You may buy your postage online so you don’t have to spend time waiting in line at the shipping center. And instead of packing and shipping every day, you may just ship products two or three times per week.
See what I mean?
Tip: I mentioned this before: Ask knowledgeable others for advice about the quickest ways to complete your tasks. If we continue the online auction example, you’ll want to ask other auction marketers what sorts of systems they use for the various parts of the online auction process.
Once you’ve discovered the best and fastest way to complete a task, then write down the steps (or create a process map if you’re a visual person).
Once you have it down on paper, you may again ask knowledgeable others to see if they have any additional hints or tips to make your system even more efficient. Then you can implement your system and start using it regularly.
Work Place Hideout
You can work anywhere – With your own online business you are able to work anywhere as long as there is an Internet connection. You can travel around the country or down to the park in the middle of the day. You are not tied to your location like you are with a traditional brick and mortar business. There is no limit to where you can travel and work at the same time. Of course, you won’t spend all your time working at the beach but it’s nice to know that you have the freedom to do so when you want to!
I was high atop my mountain hide out when I wrote this, FREEDOM!
There is room at the top!
I say, I say, Join the army the sales army that is sales army secrets – Foghorn Leghorn
Get Paid For Your Input
You get paid for your input and not your time – When you work for someone else you are paid to be there from 8 am to 5 pm. You get paid the same whether you are working your fingers to the bone or barely sliding by. If you put in more effort, you may get a pay raise or you may not.
Working for yourself online means that you’ll be paid for what you put into your business. You don’t have to work a certain number of hours and you aren’t chained to your desk unless you want to be there. You can get the same amount of work done in less hours when you work for yourself, which leaves you free to do what you want with the rest of your time instead of sitting in a cubicle. With certain forms of online business, you can get paid again and again for the work that you do once. In a traditional job, passive income like this is non-existent.
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No More Office Politics
When you work with other people, there is a certain degree of politeness and pandering that you have to commit to in order for things to run smoothly. Many times the productiveness of the office is slowed down by inner office disagreements. You can also be constantly interrupted by a cubicle mate who likes to chat, co-workers who like to pop into your office and impromptu meetings. Not only can these things disrupt your productivity but they can be downright discouraging if you work with a group of people that you do not get along with.
When you work online, you get to choose who you socialize with.
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Starting a Home Business: Your Start-up Checklist
Starting your own home business is an exciting prospect, but not without its risks. Before you jump into being your own boss you need to make sure you have everything that you’ll need to succeed at your new venture. This “tool kit” consists of a few essential non-physical items that will set you on the right path to success, no matter what type of business you are starting. Look for the posts titled: A Reality Check, A Business Plan, Confidence, Dedication look before you leap.
If you’re ready to see a detailed version of this tool kit, Affiliatenaire will teach you all you need to know in 3 to 4 hours per week without emptying your wallet.
Starting a Home Business: Confidence is Key
Starting your own business and breaking away from the pack is something that is not for the faint of heart. You need to be sure that you have the confidence and the dedication to see your plans through. Completing your reality check and coming up with a business plan can help your confidence grow. When you take a step in a new direction, you need to be sure that you’re doing so on firm ground. If you don’t have confidence in yourself and your business idea, you’re going to second guess your actions and make yourself miserable. Take whatever steps you need to in order to build your confidence so that you can run your business correctly.
Starting a Home Business A Business Plan
Knowing where you are headed is one thing. Knowing how to get there is another matter entirely. A business plan will help you understand where your business is going. Whether you are building your business part time or plan on working full time on your home business, you need to have a plan. There are many resources out there about writing a business plan. Even if you are starting a small business that doesn’t need financing, you should do market research and complete a full analysis of how your business will take shape. At the very least, create a mission statement to guide the development of your business.
Starting a Home Business: A Reality Check
The first thing you need to do before you jump off the pier into self employment is do a reality check. Can your business sustain your income? Will there be a period of adjustment between your old job and making money with your new business? If so, do you have enough money to sustain yourself and your family during this time? These are serious questions that need to be answered before you quit your day job. Most new businesses fail because people don’t think about the reality of the situation. Make sure you give yourself a reality check first. If possible, try to start your home business on the side before you make the leap.
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