Working from home… building an online business …. has many benefits such as the flexibility to set your own hours and to create the income that you choose. But, to build a successful business online, we must stay focused, disciplined, and work more on income producing activities. (which are money making task you do to bring in income)
Do you ever feel that the whole day has gone by and you have not accomplished your daily goals? Do you find yourself spending tons of time checking your social media news feeds and updates? I absolutely love social media, but if not used strategically during your work hours, it could have you totally distracted and not focused on making coins in your business. When working online, try not to get distracted surfing the internet for hours, checking emails, or you may even find yourself stuck in learning mode. When we do more of the non-income producing activities, we are only setting ourselves up for frustration and disappointment. Stay away from time wasting activities.
So, my advice to business owners and online entrepreneurs is to value your time. Stay focused, motivated, and energized. Avoiding distractions and procrastination at all cause.
6 Ways To Stay Focused and on Track While Working From Home
1. Schedule Your Work Hours
Decide how many days you plan to work and how many hours per day. True enough, working from home gives you more flexibility. But, during the time frame you designate as your work hours, focus on income producing activities. For example, if you choose to work between 9am – 11am with your clients… during those times you are not cleaning your house. Or, if between 2pm – 4pm you market your business…. during that time you are not baking a cake. We have to practice discipline on a daily basis. Make it a daily habit to buckle down and concentrate on income producing activities during your work hours.
2. Map Out Your Daily Method Of Operations
Each day know exactly the things you do to build your business. Example: do you run ads, blog, videos, (with a call to action to buy). Develop a daily plan of action. Have a system and marketing plan already set in place before you start your day. Know how many sales you plan to get that day, how you plan to connect with your customers/clients, and which marketing strategies you plan to implement. Never go into your day blindfolded. Be intentional and have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish that day. Do daily task that will produce you income.
Create a To-Do List. I like to schedule my week on Sunday evenings. This helps me jump start my week knowing exactly what I will like to accomplish. Decide which business building activities you need to work on in order to produce the income that you want.
Have a set schedule and a clear plan for your daily methods of operations. It should include the time you start and finish work, the processes of how you manage and grow your business, and a list of the projects you are working on.
3. To PJ’s or Not To PJ’s -It’s Up To You
You may be thinking, what does PJ’s (pajamas) have to do with staying focused. Now, I’m not saying that anything is wrong with working in your PJ’s. Having the choice to work where you want, when you want, and how you want is the freedom lifestyle. But, for me, it makes a huge difference when I change out of my sleeping attire. It sets the tone for me to start my day with a productive mindset and ready to work. Especially when I have to run errands for that day, I’m already dressed. Now, of course I do not think that it is necessary to put on high heels or a three piece suit just to walk a few steps into your home office…. at least I don’t…. but, do what’s best for you. The bottom line is to be comfortable, full of energy, and focused to work toward getting results and achieving your goals.
4. Create A Clutter Free Workspace
Get organized. Setup a separate space to work. I turned one our extra bedrooms into my office space. If you do not have an extra room to turn into your office… you can set up an environment in the corner of a room that’s specific for your work space. Free of distractions. One way that I keep down distractions is to not have a television in my office space. Or, you can just turn off the TV during office hours if it’s hard for you to stay focused.
Eliminating clutter helps you think clearly and to be more productive. I have a window in my office that brings in plenty of natural light with an outside view. Find what works best for you.
5. Listen to Motivational Music or Personal Development CD’s
I like to start my day by setting the tone for my office space. I surround myself with uplifting positive music to keep creativity and positive energy flowing. Listening to music that helps you stay upbeat and energized can help you stay focused. I listen to a variety of music. Some days I go for soft music and some days I listen to my favorite radio station. It all depends on the mood I have for that day. Sometimes, I may put in a personal development cd to increase my learning when I’m not on the phone with a client. And, many days, I may just choose to be quiet when working on certain projects. Create a playlist of the type music you love that will help you stay motivated and inspired.
6. Exercise & Take Breaks During The Day
Staying healthy and fit should be top priority. We all know that exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Because, what’s the use of making a ton of money and you don’t have the health to enjoy it, right? During my work hours, I sit at my desk for several hours at a time. I make sure that I start my day with exercise and schedule in breaks to move around more.
Yeah I know,,, when working from home, it is super easy to get distracted making several visits back and forth to the refrigerator. Create a schedule that will include the times you take breaks and your lunch time. This will not only help to stay focused, it will also help keep the muffin tops away. So, instead of hammering it away for hours at a time behind the computer, take breaks and schedule the times you eat healthy.
If your goal is to build an online empire, treat your business like a business. Focused and discipline while working from home is key when striving to get the results you desire. Because, the achievement of dreams through action requires focus. Focus on the things that will help you get to your goal. Successful entrepreneurs are strategic and are focused on making a profit. Every action should be focused on your target market, the products/service your offer, and your marketing message.
Don’t Waste Any More Time! Stay focused and value your time. We all have the same amount of hours in the day. What we do with them is entirely up to us!
Erica Mathews
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