How I Stay Focused & Productive In My ‘Perfectly Distracting’ World
Working from home sounds great doesn’t it? I’ll be the first person to stand up and say it’s wonderful! I love working from home and wouldn’t want it any other way – but I will also tell you it’s one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.
Check this out:
I have set aside 6 hours a day to really get going with Internet Marketing. I felt I needed to do this after spending the last year or so observing and dabbling on and off without serious intent.
I’m a week and a half in and looking at my time management: well to put it politely it sucks big time!
Just in the last 3 hours, I’ve made several cups of coffee and sandwiches I don’t really want, I’ve been to check on the dog and ended up blowing 20 minutes playing ball in the back garden with her. Also I’ve picked up my guitar to strum out a tune. Twice. And I’m not even a good guitarist.
I’m not sure if this is a lack of focus, procrastination or just a fear of failure stopping me from really hitting it.
So how do you maintain focus with all the distractions around.
That’s so common! And it only gets worse.
Wait until people you know begin to get those bright ideas that since you work from home, you have tons of free time during the day to assist them with their mundane chores, errands or needs. That’s when it gets most difficult.
The phone rings throughout the day with people wanting to chit-chat because they have the day off or may be at home sick and bored.
The Top 7 Work at Home Distractions Are:
- Family Obligations
- The Munchies
- Too Much Sleeping
- Procrastination
- Unnecessary Phone Calls
- Television
- Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or Skype
Sound about right?
So HOW on EARTH does a person stay focused and get anything done when working from home?
Let me tell you — I am formally diagnosed OCD and Adult ADD. That’s what I like to call “Perfectly Distracted.” It was extremely tough finding my groove and still poses a major challenge some days.
I’ve always believed and LIVE – "success comes out of necessity" – When you NEED to stay focused you will.
Create a target, a goal – something you NEED – not just the things you WANT.
For me – that was being able to raise my twins on my own. I hated turning for help from my parents and knew I’d never get help from their dad – so I never counted on that. That was MY big motivation.
I learned of the 20 minute timer method – that didn’t work. I had twins, a dog and the attention span God gave a mushroom.
What worked for me was an organized blog binder.
I shared details of what I learned and how I put my binder together for a "not mine" blog here: Organize Your Blogging Business With A Blog Binder
While my method is focused more on blogging – it can easily be customized to suit your own projects and goals.
Are you a work at home veteran? What are some tips you’ve learned to get and stay focused?
Not a veteran and need help? What are some of the distractions you struggle with most?
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My Comment Commitment: If you leave an approved comment on any of my posts, I will visit your blog and “share it” in some way whether on StumbleUpon, Twitter or Facebook depending on if I can find a nice fit.
I have begun a stockpile of articles that are my way creating fuel to help get me get back on top of my game even when the water is calling my name…
