Well, as you guys know, I’m now working only from home every day. And I’m actually staying pretty busy, and making as much as I was during my internship days. (Still not as steady and secure as a “real” full time job, but I’m enjoying my time. Mostly. I’m certainly learning a bunch of things through this time though.
Here’s my list of the best and biggest lessons I’ve learned since going to work in our apartment.
1. People don’t think that I’m actually working. It’s not all that fun to explain that, yes, I’m actually working during the day so I can’t talk on Facebook, chat on the phone, or watch TV all day if I want to get anything done. Plus, I’ve learned that I often have to re-convince myself that I’m not unemployed right now. I’m self-employed.
2. Managing my time is harder now than ever before. I find myself feeling guilty if I don’t have time to clean the kitchen or fold and put away all the laundry while Hubs is away at work. Why? I wouldn’t feel bad about not doing those things if I was sitting at a desk at an office all day? I need to remember that working from home is just that…working.
3. It’s true that our surroundings influence our work. I’m often not inspired enough by the walls in our mostly plain apartment. Don’t get me wrong. I love it here, but I also think I do better work when my environment feels fresh. I spend way too much time in the living/dining room to have it feel very fresh and inspiring when I sit down to write.
4. Twitter, Facebook, and even email are time-sucking traps. I think you all know what I mean there, right?
5. I NEED a good desk and a good chair…like yesterday. I’m already noticing my neck and back feel tight and uncomfortable after a few minutes of working on my computer. I used to be able to sit for hours with my computer on my lap. Now, my head and eyes start to ache much sooner. Sitting on the couch may feel good on my tushie, but the rest of my body suffers. Ouch. At the same time, sitting on the hard, bar-height dining room table hurts my tush and hips, while my neck and shoulders feel more relaxed. Good grief!
What about you? Have you ever worked from home? How did you adjust?
I always find that going to the library or a coffee shop, even if only for a few hours, really helps me focus AND be inspired. If you can, turn off your wireless so FB and other things not related to work aren’t an option. If you need to use the internet, open the pages you need and then shut it off – still viewable! I usually unplug my TV, too. It’s just less tempting that way. Finally, I would suggest a reward system.. 1 hour of work earns you 1 FB check or 2 YouTube videos. Good luck!
I think the coffee shop or library idea would help, for sure. And it would help get me to change out of pj’s! It’s also a great idea to unplug the TV, but I’ve found that if I listen to music (usually instrumental only) that I’m not tempted to turn it on. I also love the reward system idea! I sometimes bribe myself with food treats, too, so I’m not tempting to snack while I’m working. Thanks for the suggestions!
It sounds to me like you are very disciplined. I don’t think I could work from home—way too many distractions! You will soon have a desk at your new home and a beautiful view to inspire you…just hang in there!
Yea, waiting for the future to come is difficult, though!
A routine is helpful. Get up and get dressed as if you were going to work at an office everyday. Working in a cute outfit is much more inspiring than working in pjs or sweats. And if someone calls for a last minute meeting no panic required!
For sure! I also usually try to work out during the day, though, so that doesn’t always work as far as getting dressed early because then I have to change into workout clothes and then back into work clothes after. I’m trying to figure something out with a schedule that feels more settled, but I’m also thinking I should do a better job about this. You’re right, I should be more business-attire friendly, I think. Thanks!
Its kinda difficult for me to work from home…I often start enjoying the serene moments at home with tea or indulge in cooking after some time…Its good to see you being so disciplined!!
I sometimes am tempted to do that as well! Glad someone understands my struggles! Thanks for the comment!
I am sometimes tempted by those moments as well! Glad someone understands my struggles. Thanks for the comment!