Search Results for: blog disciplining yourself isnt easy

Do NOT Check Your Email

Recently, my colleague, Stephanie Romero, wrote a post called The Distraction of Email. Amy Andrews, blogger extraordinaire, wrote a post called Ignoring Your Inbox, which was a review on a book about increasing productivity. I can tell you firsthand that email can throw your entire day off kilter. So, these posts were close to my heart. My morning routine included checking email and Facebook. I wanted to get a jump on the day by knowing what was going on in social media and checking to see if any important emails were sent or answered. I thought it was the right … Continue reading →

The Distraction of Email

Those who work from home know how easily we can get distracted by so many other things. It might vary from one person to the next but if you are anything like me, email can be a real source of distraction. It feels like a catch-22 when you are a writer. You rely upon the email for various reasons. Yet the very thing you rely upon can make doing your own work difficult. Think about all of the email you receive. You probably receive personal emails from family and friends. Then there are the blogs and newsletters you subscribe to. … Continue reading →

Combating Isolation When You Work from Home

If there is one detriment to running a home business it is isolation. You can easily find yourself isolated from the world around you. I have no co-workers to talk to (or contend with). I don’t really have a “boss.” I have an editor but she works several states away so our conversations take place through email. And now that my children are back in school, the house can become eerily quiet. It is as if I am cut off from the rest of the world. Now some people (myself included) thrive on working independently. Although this can be a … Continue reading →

Do It My Way, and No One Will Get Hurt

I’m an odd little duck, and I’m the first to admit that. I like living a carefree life, as long as the carefreeness of it goes according to my schedule. I like being spontaneous, as long as I know exactly what that entails. I like being an eclectic homeschooler, but within certain boundaries. And I absolutely cannot stand it when something happens to throw me out of my groove. Three times this last week, I had my day all mapped out and I knew exactly when I was doing what. My to-do list was polished and shining, I was moving … Continue reading →

Avoiding Distractions While Working from Home

Distractions are probably one of the bigger pitfalls to working from home. When you are in the comfort of your home it is easier to get distracted. Of course, what distracts one person might not be the same for another but the reality is that it can be a real challenge. The ideal work space is in a secluded room, one without a television or a computer, unless of course you need a computer for your work. Your work space should consist of only what you need and nothing more. I realize that this is not feasible for everyone. My … Continue reading →

Using Lists to Stay Motivated

Staying motivated while working from home can be a struggle for some. Just the comfort of being at home, the pull of doing other things or the beckoning of the bed can be enough to make it difficult to stay motivated. I find it a struggle every-so-often, especially if I was up late the night before. While technically I could sleep in later since I work from home, I choose not to. That’s because I believe in sticking to a schedule. I would rather finish my work earlier in the day if I can. No matter how you “feel,” just … Continue reading →

When Your Passion Becomes Your Job

If anyone had told me even a year ago that my passion would become my job, I would have said you were nuts. While I would like to say that I had confidence in myself, I think I did only to a certain degree. I was a stay-at-home mom for all three of my children. In addition, I was a homeschooler for a period of five years. It wasn’t until my children entered kindergarten, 2nd grade and 5th grade that they began formal school. Before I had children I worked in an office. I started off as a secretary, which … Continue reading →

Overcoming Writer’s Block

One of my archenemies in my job is writer’s block. It is very frustrating, particularly when you have a deadline. It seems if I am on a tight schedule and I need to produce something, the more I try to overcome writer’s block the harder it pushes back. There are moments when I sit at my desk, fingers poised on my keyboard and I stare at my screen. No movement comes from my fingertips. I stare blankly, hoping that something will just pop into my head. But after a few moments, I push my laptop away and sigh. Overcoming writer’s … Continue reading →

Can You Take Constructive Criticism?

Can you take constructive criticism? I have to admit that for a long time I really battled with this. In fact, when I first started writing for Families I really struggled with the initial editing process I had to go through. Yet I have quickly realized the teachable moments that are found in constructive criticism. If you can’t take constructive criticism and I am referring to your career here, then it means that you believe you have “arrived.” You are at the place you need to be and there is no room for improvement. You cannot grow in your work … Continue reading →

The Importance of Setting and Maintaining Boundaries

With all of the technological innovations that have come into common use in recent years, it’s easier than ever to run a business from home. While technology is an essential part of any home based business, the 24/7 instant access that it provides may leave you feeling like you can never completely “unplug” from your business. The question is, what effect does being on-demand, all the time have on your business and personal life, and how can you balance being available for your business with being available for your family, yourself, and your life. An unfortunate consequence of the instant … Continue reading →