Overcome the Distractions of Working from Home

Tell someone you have a home based business and their mind immediately conjures up images of you lounging around the house, sipping your favorite drink and chit-chatting with your pals while barely breaking a work sweat. It’s no wonder that having a residual income home business brings with it its own unique distractions.

One of the most common beliefs is that since you’re working from home, you’re not really working. Fact is nothing could be further from the truth. Like every job, you don’t get paid unless you work and your home business is just that – a business. Let it be known that you’re running a business, not watching the last season of Lost on DVD.

Along those same lines, being that you’re home, your family and friends may get the impression that you’re constantly available to them. Your kids, spouse, girl/boyfriend see that you are physically present; therefore you should give them the attention they’re asking for. Your friends may drop by unannounced to simply hang out. This is where you have to draw some serious boundaries. If you explain that it’s important to have your time to work so that you can have time to play, and stick to that, they will eventually get it.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, working from home can feel somewhat lonely. You’re used to working in an office full of co-workers and now it’s just you. If you begin to feel cut off from the world, remind yourself why you started your home business in the first place and the perks of doing so. You can also schedule coffee or lunch sessions with friends or colleagues to get you out of the home office for an hour or so.

Lack of motivation can be a major obstacle to overcome for those who earn residual income. When you don’t have anyone nipping at your heels or encouraging you, it’s easy to get sidetracked, put things off and feel unmotivated. When these moments present themselves, give yourself a deadline to feel what you feel and then move on. Find ways to motivate yourself and forge ahead.

No one said working from home was easy. But, if you face your distractions head on, you and your business will be the better for it.