How to Stay Motivated when Working from Home

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At the end of 2016, I decided to quit my low paying, traditional job and start working from home!

Did I have a plan?

No, but I didn't care I just knew I had to get out of there. Long story short, I'm still working from home and seriously loving it!

But that doesn't mean there weren't struggles along the way.

When you think of working from home, you think about all of the freedom you have and while that's a good thing, it can also deter you from getting your actual work done.

And because there's no boss breathing heavily down your back, you can let things slide.

So how in the heck do you stay motivated when working from home knowing how many distractions there are?

Create a separate “living space” and a “workspace”

Work is work and home is home, regardless of if you are working in a corporate office or working from home.

This is quite a challenge at first because well, there's a big comfy couch and a big comfy bed just a few feet away.

Giving in to the temptation to work in bed or on the couch can lead to other distractions like scrolling social media or turning on the Tv.

The best solution for this is to simply create a workspace where all you do in that space is work.

You don't relax or sleep in that space just as you would in a normal office.

This will also help you feel more like you are at work which will help keep you on track and motivated to get the tasks done that really need your attention.

Get up and get Dressed

Getting dressed as though you are going to work can really set you up for success during the day.

Just doing the act of getting ready for work will tell your brain that its time for work.

This will also overall make you feel more productive throughout the day and you won't have as much of a temptation to grab your favorite blanket and curl back up in bed.

Also, make sure you are setting an alarm or at least getting up at a reasonable time for work just as you would in a normal 9-5 job.

Try not to be late either!

These are all mental cues to help you feel like you are at work!

Keep a “normal” Work Schedule

Now you know me, I really don't like schedules but the point here is to make a time for work and a time that you will end for the day.

Here, we have the luxury to end after only a few hours of work.

The point is to just choose a time to begin and end that works best for you and the tasks that need to be completed.

Setting these beginning and ending times will not only help you stay on task but will also help you from going overboard and working late into the night.

When you know you need to be working, you are more likely to be actually working and vise versa.

Along with this, make sure to take normal breaks just as you would at work.

A lunch break and even a few breaks during the day to stretch especially if you are working on your computer a lot.

Keep the Tv off during “work hours”

This is absolutely imperative to staying motivated and on task when working from home!

It's way too easy to get sucked into a four-hour marathon of Grey's Anatomy and forget about all the work you have to get done.

The thing is, as business owners, it's usually just us when we first start out.

So if we don't do it, it doesn't get done.

Seriously though, even on lunch breaks, I don't recommend turning the Tv on.

Can you tell I've gotten sucked into four-hour Netflix marathons a few too many times?

Instead, go for a walk, play with your dog, sit outside, whatever!

Select specific times to check your phone

Are we back in middle school or what??

Not exactly but just as in school, phones are extremely distracting even if we are using them for work.

Checking one email can easily spiral into spending three hours responding back and forth to emails or even scrolling social media.

Make sure to set specific times and even time limits as to how long and when you want to be on your phone.

Allow yourself thirty minutes to respond to only the most important emails or to post to social media if it pertains to your business.

This is all about reducing distractions and learning to stay on task during work hours.

Make plans

Wait, didn’t I just say to reduce distractions and stick to working during the day?

Yes, but socializing and enjoying yourself is just as important. 

Working from home can be lonely at times and we don’t realize how much we’ll miss having coworkers.

So make sure to make plans with your friends for after work and live your life!

Mental health is just as important for your business as anything else so always make sure to schedule days off during the week as well.

It's easy to fall into that “hustle and grind” mentality but that's just a burn out waiting to happen!

There you have it, my top six tips to help you stay motivated and on track when working from home!

Do you currently work from home?

What are your biggest struggles?

Do you have any tips you'd like to add?

I'd love to hear from you so don't forget to comment down below and share your work at home buddies!

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