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People love working from home, but how much work are they getting done?

It is very easy to get distracted with home related tasks that have a negative effect work related productivity.  Working from home is not about getting the closet reorganized, weeds pulled, pantry cleaned out, or laundry done. Ladies… I am especially speaking to you on this one! We women tend to be juggling so many different hats and multi-tasking in so many areas, that we can easily get less accomplished in our home-based business ventures. While this may not deny your success, it can certainly delay it.

I have many friends in network marketing and internet marketing. When I ask them how their business is going, they don’t have great things to say. It’s not rocket science, but it does require laser-like focus.  Remember one of my favorite quotes… “Discipline Determines Destiny”! Start forming good habits early on. If you start right.. you will finish right.

How can you have a profitable home business if you focus on the wrong tasks? You have to focus on tasks that are going to grow your business.

Most people who are successful with their home based business will say they wanted to work from home for a few main reasons.

  • Time Freedom and Flexibility to spend more time with loved ones and more time doing what they love
  • Financial Freedom - working an 8-5 job rarely brings the level of financial independence that dreamers seek
  • They had a passion, a cause, a “why” for getting into that particular work

Certainly there are many reasons people decide to start a home based business, but getting more house chores done is usually not in that list. Increasing your focus will increase your productivity, which will increase your profits, which will increase your passion to pursue this dream of working from home.

Too many times entrepreneurs give up because they are not seeing results, not realizing that it is their failure to plan and position their days that leads to their problem.

Challenge yourself to break out of that “stuck in a rut” syndrome. Change your plan of action and you will change your results.

The 8 Point Productivity Plan

Pre-planning

You should have a game plan for every single day of work. Get your home chores done the night before and write out a list of scheduled tasks for the day. Then set the order for those tasks. Now, when you wake up in the morning , you are focused on your mission for the day. Cross off items as you accomplish them so that at the end of the day you can easily look to see what you accomplished for the day.

Early Bird Gets the Worm

Get up early in the morning and start your day just like other hard working folks. Success in a work from home business is not obtained by sleeping in and not having a schedule to follow. It  is counter-productive. Think of how much more you could have gotten done in those extra 2 or 3 hours of time. Take control of your business. Take control of your days.

Dress for the Occasion

When we look better we perform better. That is not my rule – it is scientifically proven. Don’t stroll around in your pajamas expecting to accomplish great things. Dress for great things and you will accomplish great things. You will realize that when you are dressed for a day of business you will be more productive, feel more confident, and be more assertive in your actions.

Daily Roadmap

It is scientifically proven that our minds and bodies are more alert and productive in the morning hours. This is why most surgeons perform the difficult surgeries in the morning hours (when they have that option, of course).  Get the most important tasks done in the morning hours and schedule meetings or conference calls in the afternoon hours.

I’ll Call You Later

Many times friends or family members who do not work think that because you work from home that it is o.k. to call for an hour of chit chat in the middle of your day. This is sabotage. They are not doing this to you intentionally, but one or two calls in a day and you miss out on opportunities and get less done. Remember, you are in control of your day. Do not answer personal calls or politely tell folks you will call them back at the end of the day. Interruptions are the major cause for uncompleted tasks.

Break Time

There are studies proving that an exercise break in the middle of the day improves job performance. Jim McKenna is known for his studies showing that with midday exercise consistently increases performance through sharper mental states and better time management. Take 30 minutes for  a bike ride, a walk in the park, or a trip to the gym. You can still do your hard workout sessions in the morning if you are already in the habit, but don’t exclude this short little afternoon session.

Mastermind with Mentors

We all have so much to offer and share with the world. Having lunch with a business colleague, industry leader, or mentor a couple times each week will keep ideas fresh and allow you to see different viewpoints. You get energized in sharing success with others and you will find that these little lunch dates keep you focused, accountable, and action oriented.  Life is about relationship building and meetings like this will enrich your professional and personal life.

Review, Revise, Repeat, Reward

At the end of every day it is important to review the list you made for the day to note what actually was accomplished, the results of that, what new requirements have arose from this, what didn’t work, what needs to be rescheduled, what tasks are repetitive, and so on.   You should strive to accomplish at least 75% of your list each day. Naturally, there are going to be those days where “life” gets in the way, but strive for your 75% on a consistent basis and you will gradually see rewards emerge from your efforts.

The first step is taking the first step. Start implementing new habits today.

  • Take Action
  • Take Control
  • Stay Committed
  • Create Results
  • Live the Dream!

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