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.
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The Smarter Home Office

The other day I was speaking to a friend of mine who owns and operates a graphic design business from his home. After a lengthy conversation on blogging, he mentioned that it was time he returned to work, stating "back to the dungeon." When I asked him why he compared his home office space to a dungeon he laughed saying that the room felt cold and depressing. Also, since it was on the opposite side of the house from the livelier rooms, it gave the impression of complete separation from everyone else.

Having an undesirable home office space can be detrimental to your home based business. Location, lighting, clutter and noise are but a few elements of your home office that can cause major distractions, when negative, ultimately leading to work stoppage/loss which can directly affect your ability to make residual income.

You may feel the “personality” of your office space isn’t important but you’d be amazed how the arrangement of your work room can make you feel despondent and negative. In The Smarter Home Office: 8 Simple Steps to Increase Your Income, Inspiration and Comfort, author Linda Varone targets the potential pitfalls of your office space. The award-winning design consultant discusses how to choose the right lighting to decrease eye strain and low energy levels, how to choose the best chair for the ultimate in support, and where to position your office desk for maximum work efficiency. You’ll also read about tips on painting, decorating, space usage, organization, and storage. The Smarter Home Office also sheds much needed light on how to run a home business while working under the same roof as your family. Let’s face it, dealing with family and business in the same space can be a bit daunting at times.

By realizing the potential of your office space, the benefits of having a residual income home business, and how small, low-budget upgrades can provide a work space that’s uplifting and inspiring, you’re sure to generate positive results all around.

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