Putting Off Procrastination at the Home-Based Workplace
by Carrie Hinkel on January 29th, 2008
Working for yourself is truly the American dream for many. However, when procrastination rears its ugly head, it can turn an entire day into a complete waste of time. With no time clock to punch or without a supervisor demanding results, some new entrepreneurs find they have a hard time getting a jumpstart on their day. Well, they’re not alone. Procrastination is a common problem for many small business owners. Why? Because it’s so easy and tempting to fall prey to it.
Here are some foolproof ways to say goodbye to procrastination and hello to productivity!
Create a daily task list – You might say “Hey, I didn’t start my own business so I could be chained to yet another desk for eight hours. I want to get some extra free time out of this!” And, that’s fine. Each morning, make a list of the things you want to accomplish that day for your business. When everything on the list is checked off, take the rest of the day off. Now, that’s giving yourself an incentive to work harder and faster!
Break up large jobs into smaller ones – While a large job may be daunting and just too easy to put off, several smaller tasks are seen as doable and even motivating, as you cross each one off the list. So, instead of thinking of “creating a business website” break that job into several smaller ones like “create homepage”, “write FAQ page”, etc. You’ll feel good about finishing each job and it’ll keep you from delaying the entire project.
Turn off communications when working on a project – Emails, phone calls, instant messages – it’s a wonder you can get anything done. Hearing that email “ding” as a new message arrives in your inbox can be all too tempting to stop what you’re doing and see what’s inside. And, instant messaging may be fun and a cute distraction, but it just keeps you from getting your work done. Even a single phone call can disrupt your work momentum and delay your productivity by up to 15%. There’s no reason why you can’t check you messages after you’ve completed a particular project.
Check your Caller ID – When you’re answering phones during the day, try to avoid answering calls from friends and family. If it’s truly important, they can leave a message and you can get back to them. Loved ones are notorious for interrupting home-based business owners’ days to chit-chat. Many times they think that because you’re home, you’re available. Do yourself and your business a favor by checking the caller ID before you pick up the phone – you might just save yourself from thirty minutes of procrastination.
Set up an efficient office space – It’s amazing how an organized desk and uncluttered surroundings help to create a motivating work atmosphere. On the other hand, a desk piled high with papers and receipts, with no pens in sight has “procrastination” written all over it. A clean workspace with work utensils nearby is not only inviting, but motivating too!
Separate “work time” from “home time” – When working at home, it’s all too easy to start the day by doing a load of laundry, washing the dishes or vacuuming. Save the household chores for the end of your workday. And, be sure to let your family and friends know your work hours – if you don’t treat working at home as “work”, then neither will they. Setting up the boundaries early between work and home will be a huge benefit to you in the long run.
Take short breaks – Believe it or not, you’ll end up getting more done in a day if you take a short 10-minute break every hour, rather than working for three hours straight. Your brain needs a rest, and your body needs a chance to rejuvenate every once in a while. So get up, walk around and have a healthy snack. You’ll find that a quick break is just what you needed to become focused and energized again. Working for long stretches inevitably ends up with slow productivity and sporadic daydreaming.
Feeling better about working for yourself and ending your reign as king or queen procrastinator? Good. Now start using these tips today and get motivated about your business again