With all that is going on around the globe right now, many have transitioned to working from the “comfort of their own homes”, and while that sounds like a wonderful concept prior to the experience, you may soon realize that it’s not as easy-going as it sounds. Working from home can bring about some new obstacles that threaten your productivity, especially when you are not used to it. Here are some things you can do to help foster your focus strength:
1. Have a Little Morning Ritual
nnnnHaving a little ritual to transition you to your desk eases the jolt of starting work in the morning. When you are working at an office or another location, your body and mind have the luxury of building up to your optimal brain energy level. You need time to wake, energize and power up.
The best way to prepare yourself for productivity is to plan your morning routine around setting yourself up for success, both mentally and physically. Fuel up with a proper nutritious breakfast, get your blood pumping with some exercise or stretching, and maybe even pump yourself up with your favorite tunes. Whatever it is, make it enjoyable and healthy – you’ll notice an immediate uptick in focus and energy throughout your day.
2. Set Your Work Schedule
nnnnIt doesn’t have to be 9am- 5pm. That doesn’t work for everyone, and depending on your business, it may not even be necessary. The most important thing is to find something that works for you at the most optimal time and make it consistent. Consistency is key. Routine is key. Getting into a groove is how you create a serious attitude about your work environment, and will also help to prevent you from overworking.
3. Set Ground Rules for Interactions
nnnnMaybe you have roommates, maybe you have extra chatty neighbors, or maybe you just enjoy texting with your friends and family throughout the day. If it is getting in the way of your work and productivity, create boundaries. A great way to do this is to set your phone to a “Do Not Disturb” setting for certain busy hours, or turning your phone off completely if you don’t need it for work or have a separate business line. A little bit of light social contact is healthy when you are isolated from colleagues, but can easily get out of control if you aren’t intentional about it.
4. Create Your Own “Water Cooler Break”
nnnnWith that being said, it is important to have a little bit of conversation at designated periods throughout the day to converse with peers. It keeps you from feeling isolated, gives you an opportunity to vent and commiserate if necessary, and can also serve to share inspiration and keep you motivated. Your mind needs the little bit of social relief to keep from getting sucked into a dark work-cycle vortex. Allow yourself a little “Water Cooler Break”.
5. Schedule Breaks
nnnnBreaks should be scheduled – with the exception of bathroom breaks, etc (we’re not trying to make you prisoners over there). If you don’t set guidelines for when you can take a break, it can quickly turn into many little breaks throughout the day, interrupting productivity. While you don’t want to stress yourself out or over work, you have to realize that you are your own main accountability partner. With no one else around to tell you to keep working, it’s easy to slip and play loosey-goosey with your time management. Have the conversation with yourself, set the expectations.
6. Leave Home
nnnnNow obviously this means something a little different for the time-being, with our out-of-home options being minimized for safety reasons, but let’s get creative. It’s not healthy to stay cooked up in the house 24/7 (this goes for life in general), so make it a point to get outside in the sunlight. Take a walk around your neighborhood, take a drive with the windows down and the music up, or even find a friend who has a lovely backyard to take a break in or work out of for a bit.
7. Get an Accountability Partner
nnnnThis is important. Going back to our point that you are your main accountability partner, that is still true, but find someone that ideally is in the same situation as you (which will be much more common right now) and ask them to check in on you and vice-versa. Bonus points you can complement each other’s industries and provide a helping hand or advice to each other – after all, we’re all in this together. Having an accountability partner means that you are not alone. It’s easy to get caught up in the cycle, tune everyone out and ultimately burn yourself out. Take the measures to prevent the mental fraying, by seeking out a peer who will partner with you for mental stability and positive support.
8. Look for Training Opportunities
nnnnAdd value to your business or your role by discovering training opportunities. You can find these for free on YouTube and all over the internet, on podcasts and websites, and many companies offer these resources to their employees nowadays. If you are a business owner with a team, this is a great asset to search out and offer to your team. The learning process is ongoing and essential to the healthy growth of any business who aims to be successful. With these days leaving you possibly on the lookout for productive ways to fill gaps in your service, it is the best opportunity to invest time in resources and motivation for your team.
9. Be Positive
nnnnThere are endless ways to keep positive, from funny memes on around your workspace, to uplifting music, and people. The bottom line is that you need to design your work environment to be full of inspirational and motivational elements. Colors, decor, quotes, music, photos…. If it lifts your spirit, it has a place in your space.
We can always find a million reasons to get bogged down, feel blue or stressed, so be prepared to combat those moments with rays of sunshine, strategically placed where you will see them most often.
10. End Your Day With a Routine
nnnnHaving a ritual at the end of the day is just as important as having one to start it off, if not more important. This little ritual is something to look forward to and to celebrate the end of your day with. Maybe it’s something simple like a happy dance to a fun tune, or maybe you are saving a delicious meal as your own reward for making it through another productive day. Perhaps it’s a glass of Pinot Noir, and a call to your favorite person. Whatever it is, let it be a guiding light at the end of a tunnel. We all need one.
All in it Together
nnnnRemember, in these crazy times, we are all going through it. Help each other out when you notice a need, and don’t be too proud to ask for help. We are a community. One of the reasons we love helping business to gain funding is so that they are able to get through the rough patches and grow into the light of success. If you have questions about what kind of funding you could gain access to to help grow your business or get it into a good place, give us a call.
Thinking of Starting a Remote Business?
nnnnIt’s becoming all the rage now, with people looking for opportunities and creating new business ideas. If you are one of the bright new entrepreneurs looking to weather this storm by building a strong boat, we can help you find funding options that are right for you. Why wait another moment?
Financial restraints have been a complaint for many of the dreamers, limiting themselves to their immediate funds. There is an alternative. If you have the dreams and decent credit, Small Business Loans and No Doc Loans are available to you. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge you need and the resources available to make your dream a reality. Give us a call – we have the education and the perspective to help you obtain the loans you need for your small business. Visit our website or give us a call to find out what financial backing is available to make your business soar!
Unsecured Finances has over 10 years in the consulting business! We specialized in educating and assisting clients on acquiring Unsecured Business Loans and Start-Up Business Specialty Loans including; Unsecured No Documentation (No-Doc Stated Income) Loans, Unsecured Business Loans, and Unsecured Start-Up Business Loans and Lines of Credit from $10,000 to $500,000 without Assets.
nnnnApply on our website to find out if you qualify, or call today for a free consultation: 1-888-294-2584
