Do you find motivation ever a problem working from home?

I've had that happen from time to time. Generally when that happens it means that I have to set goals and then split them up. If I make my sub goals small enough, it's a no brainer to complete them, and then another, and another, and another. That's what works for me.

Funny you should post this today -- it's my first day in a new little office I rented after 20 years of working at home. I've come to believe I can be more productive if I can clearly separate my work life from my home life. Also, no dogs, no kitchen, no chores. So yeah, I see what you're saying.

I found a nice little place for $250 a month and will come here with the thought of no messing around -- just focus. We'll see...

U just described me every single day. I have no wife and kids, and i still accomplish only 25% of my daily goals.

I have a nice room with an HDTV and plenty of music and entertainment. When im about to start working, i think of a TV show to watch, or i think of reading the warrior forum. Yes, i was thinking of working just now but instead ended up typing this message.

If we dont control our schedule, we are our own worst enemy.

My suggestion -- find a cheap office somewhere. If you can't afford that, find another home biz owner in your area and split the rent on it and split the days. Even 2 or 3 days a week of solid focus can make a huge difference in your business.

I can tell you, today (in my new office) is the most productive day I've had in months....

Recently I was given the option to work from home 3 out of 5 days a week... To most it would be preferable since you get the best of both worlds but I'm still sitting on the fence with that one. I relate it to online learning as well - You have to almost force motivation where as it comes more naturally in a more traditional environment. In the end, self motivation plays a huge role in your focus.

JonB. I second your suggestion. Some of us will be amazed at the boost in productivity one can achieve by opting for a commercially rented office space as opposed to a home-office.

For most folks, it boils down to cost-cutting therefore many resort to home-offices, but having had both over my long self-employed career, I couldn't agree more that for some reason there is a marked improvement in productivity at a real office-space compared to a home-office.

I would definitely recommend an office to anyone. If you can't do that, definitely get up at a set time, shower, get dressed, brush teeth, etc. just like you were going to go into the office - then start work. Having a little bit of structure in the morning really helps me get into the right mindset.

Brainstorming action items first thing in the morning really helps as well. Overload your list with things you need/want to get done. With so many things on your list, you probably won't get them all done in the same day but subconsciously your mind will work hard at trying to achieve everything you need or wanted to get done for that day. Repeat daily. It works for me.

Although I work from home, I do find the distractions to be...well, distracting!

So what works for me is to go to the local library and use their Internet stations....Much faster and best of all, it's rent free!

I also find that I can kill 2 birds with one stone as I've found great resources at the library when generating content for different Internet projects.

Like Robestrong suggested, setting up a set of goals for the week has really helped me lately. I've also thought about heading down to a local Starbucks, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

The best thing you can do is to set working hours and do your best to stick to them. I used to work basically whenever I wanted, but it's too hard to become distracted during the day. Now I set working hours (usually 9 to 6) and typically try to work only on weekdays. I find that I'm much more productive. It's also nice since when you're unmotivated, you know that you just have to make it 'till 6 and then you're done. It helps me get through the tasks that I really don't want to do.

I can't afford an office, but I do like to go to the library or a coffeeshop to work when I have the opportunity.

Working from home is great, but fighting the motivation/procrastination battle is hard, especially if you haven't started making lots of money yet. And the distractions are tough sometimes. I equate it to how I used to be trying to study in my dorm room in college. That never worked out well, but when I got out and went to the library I did so much better. The same principle applies with working.

I am employed to a certain company but because of the greater needs that I have everyday, I really find time to spend working online even though how busy I am. It is not that really easy but I have to

I definitely know what you mean. My significant other works in an office, and while she's there, I've often felt responsible for doing many of the domestic house duties...(laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, cooking, etc.,) while working from home. After about two weeks of that, I realized that the day had passed before I even had a chance to get any real work done. Lately though, I've been able to focus on my tasks at hand. Some suggestions:

1) Find a time to work and a time to play. (Work from 9-6, but take an hour + for lunch to do something productive...Go for a walk. Exercise. Watch Sportscenter.

2) Lock yourself in a quiet area away from all of the distractions. Stay off the forums. Remove yourself from any rooms with a TV. Put your cell phone in a different room.

3) Structure a daily plan. Between 5:30 and 6PM, plan out your next day's activities. Create a calendar with a day-to-day plan.

4) Turn your home office into a home office. Don't use it for anything else but working. If you're using a small space, put up some motivational materials on the walls. Personalize your space.

5) Drink a lot of coffee.

Hope that helps!

I used to struggle with this and from time to time I still do but one thing that has helped me a lot is planning my day by setting tasks. If you want you can even take it a step further by giving yourself rewards for completing tasks. Setup your tasks by order of importance and urgency. Put an A next to important and urgent tasks and put it at the top of the list. Put a B next to important but not urgent. Then so on and so forth. A book I would also recommend is FOCAL POINT by brian tracey. Amazing book and it helped me lots.

It is important to get this under control.

You must be self-motivated and self-directed to make a "serious go" of this business.

If you aren't and can't, you are probably best keeping your job.

I've done the Starbucks thing, and it can work. I like seeing other people, so that's a plus. Of course, other people can sometimes be loud and obnoxious, so there's the minus.

If you have a library with a semi-private area to set up shop and a good wifi connection, that's a great way to go, too.

As for an office, if $$ is an issue, be creative. As I said, team up with another home bizzer to split the cost. Or get involved in a local entrepreneur meetup and ask if anyone has an extra office to spare for a few bucks each month (or for barter -- help a local business with SEO, for example, in exchange for a spare office).

For me, I finally came to the conclusion that the extra productivity I'll get working from my own office will more than make up for the $250/month it's costing me. Really, a few extra orders as a result of the work I'm getting done will be all it takes.

But yeah, the bottom line is this: treat it like a job. Go to work in the morning, even if it's just down the hall.

I used to be able to do that, but I've lost the will to make it happen over the years. So now I'm an office-goer!

Buy the most expensive, comfortable chair you can find.

I go to the local library - which has computers and internet and is free. If I am at home and find myself being distracted - I make a list of the reasons I am setting up/working on this business. I find this focuses the mind somewhat!

This is true, you can never work properly at home with the full concentration and time devotion. The house work attracts our mind and goals towards other stuff. Which is really least important things.

I usually find it pretty easy to work from home when I am working on my own business. I use to work from home now and then when I was working for someone else years ago, that was difficult. But when its my own deal, I usually find I am able to get the job done.

This is a real reflection of my life too, and I just happen to discover ways to overcome these by listening to some of the advice given in this thread.

I must admit I accomplish only 25-30% of what I set and I hope to improve it.

Thanks for bringing this up bacardi - just fine tuning yourself to add up just another hour of productivity per day would really get some results when you work it out to a month.

I have an office elsewhere but to be honest I prefer to work from home. I'm in the process of setting an office up at home and working from there permanently.

The thing with me is I never get distracted at home. In fact, I find it hard to pull away from my work for normal everyday activities. This IM business is just too darn addictive and I never tire of it.

I think it is easier to get distracted when you work from home but I don't think it really affects your level of motivation. Even though it might take slightly longer to get the work done for some people, they still ultimately get the work done.

Everyone works at their own pace, and the speed at which you complete work does not always directly reflect how motivated you are. Some people take a long time, some don't, but what is important is that the work gets done in the end.

I understand your problem, Bacardi. I used to have those problems, myself.

Here is what I did with great success. Each night before bed, I write down what I intend to do for the next day; sort of a todo list. Then, I ask myself, "How much can I reasonably expect to get done? I always plan to do way more than possible. Once done, I sleep on it. During my sleep, ideas often come up for the next day.

In the morning, I have my todo list and I get started. ... and, by the way, I save a game of Sudoku for when I get finished. It is amazing how much more efficient I am with this new regimen.

I do sometime get down on myself and feel like quiting, but i find motivation at home by thinking, if i do not continue or if i dont try this, well i would never know if it may work. Keep pushing something has to give.

This is a problem which I face too.

The good thing you can do is to collection doing work a long time and accomplish your easiest for you to adhere to these people. i utilized to perform basically anytime I want to, nevertheless it can be too much being sidetracked throughout the day.

I have a little 'trick' that I have used for years to help me do the tasks that I may well put off or get distracted and end up not doing.
When I need to do something but can't be bothered I take it in little tiny steps. So I may need to build a new site say. If I find myself thinking I'll put it off I think what is the least I can do to get started. So I may switch on the PC. Then I think what next, log in. I keep doing that as I'm not thinking about the whole task that seems daunting.
Taking little steps means they link up to a big journey and before you know it the task is done and you have time for the other things you want to do.
I use this every day in life for any task I think about putting off from walking the dog to starting a new project.

The beauty of internet marketing is working from home. And I love to stay at home or the beach, otherwise I rather just be an employee, which is much easier.

First I would suggest to make a daily timetable for the must do things. Even just 20 minutes a day, as long as you finish all the daily missions, then why not just enjoy the rest of the day.

I've thought about renting an office but I'm not at that level yet. Getting distracted can be a big problem but I try to set down my tasks first thing in the morning so I know what I'm supposed to be doing.

It's so easy to relax and take it easy and before you know it half the day is gone! I like to get out to a cafe or library sometimes. It tends to help me focus.

As for me, motivation is an internal disposition.
It's not about who surrounds you but who do you surround.
It's about who do you affect and not who affects your performance.

Hi, This is very common. The best thing you can do is make a timetable for the next day before you sleep and stick with your timetable. Don't think that the more time you spend the more productive you are..contrary the productive hour that matters.

I struggled working from home, baby screaming missus asking me to do something. I hated it, I now rent an office 5mins from home and love it


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I was in a similar situation - working from home I used to get asked for lifts here there and everywhere, it was too tempting to start later and later and the interuptions were a nightmare. I therefore rent myself an office now - £200 a month in walking distance form home, but just far enough not to be bothered - and go to the office to work (available 24 hours a day 7 days a week) and when I come home I dont work.

Also helps to sort your head and sleeping patterns.

Two things that will help keep you motivated are:

1. Feed your mind. Read blogs and watch videos every day on the various skills needed for success in online marketing.
2. Set goals and deadlines each day for yourself to accomplish the tasks that will make you a success online.

I work in intervals. I will dedicate 180 minutes straight of FOCUS towards my checklist and I will take a 15 minute break and then I will do another interval. I get much more work done working in intervals.

at times things are slow, and the environment isn't exactly perfect for working

Hi everyone,
if you like what are you doing you won't be lazy and easily distracted! You may feel sometime bored but if you love your work because home busienss is a job as well you will be glad what are you doing! But you must be careful and not to let your other passions to drag you off your work quite often.

And this is the key Passion. If you love what you are doing you will never work.

All the best E.

I find the best way is to shut yourself off from all distractions. Make sure your family know that while you're in the "workroom" you cannot be disturbed at all. Concentrate on doing actual work that will benefit your business and stay away from surfing forums, reading email, looking at offers etc until you have completed your daily task. This could be writing content for your site, traffic building, creating backlinks, blog commenting, seo, advertising etc. I find if I make a list of things I need to concentrate on, i.e. adding more pages to a site or creating graphics, then I am able to focus more clearly on what needs to be done. Often when you start working and get into the flow of things, the motivation increases with the action you are taking.

I'm a bugger for motivating myself, unless I've got my teeth into something, that I just can't walk away from. When that happens, nothing will drag me away from my PC.

But all the boring, mundane, sleep inducing stuff such as back linking, article writing, SEO zzzzzzz hasn't got a chance when the sun comes out, and the pools calling.

In my case I think it's called lazyitus.

I've been there and to be honest I have a strange way of dealing with it. For me, I need to go outside. I either bring my laptop outside to work, or just go outside for a bit if it's too hot. This reminds me that I'm a living, breathing human being. haha

It may sound weird but I can get into a zombie like state if I'm online stuck in a dark room for too long. I forget what it means to feel alive and motivated, so going outside and doing something helps a lot. We weren't made to sit in chairs and stair at screens all day. So getting a little activity can go a long way.

I used to...but then I read psycho-cybernetics and it seriously changed my life. I think that every internet marketer or person in general should read it. Get the new one with Dan. S. Kennedy!

It's always hard to motivate yourself but what is even harder is making others realise that just because you are home doesn't mean you can drop everything anytime they need something.

Best productivity tip I could give anyone is throw the TV in the bin. It wastes so much time. My kids have TVs in their bedrooms but only to watch dvds or play games.

Not having TV is a huge benefit. Wish I'd done it years ago. There was hardly anything worth paying a license fee for anyway!

Bacardi,

As previous Warriors have attested to, quite a few of us have experienced the same issue.

Here is a list of some things that have helped me work more efficiently from home:

1. Create a daily "To-Do List" and strike off completed task with a RED pen;
2. Keep a spiral notebook handy for keeping track of my time, tasks and ideas;
3. Get started on accomplishing those tasks during the hours of peak brain performance;
4. Do not turn on the TV -- record shows I like and watch them on Sunday;
5. Post "DO NOT DISTURB" sign up to keep children and others out;
6. Get out of the house once or twice a week and visit a bookstore or coffee shop or go for a walk first thing in the morning to get energized;
7. Select a day to tend to random things ... run errands, shop, surf forums, visit blogs and websites, and map out ideas (Fridays and/or Saturdays for me);
8. Create daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly goals and monitor progress;
9. And, lastly, I have found that being flexible and allowing myself room to slack off every now and then is okay. After taking a breather, I make a conscious effort to re-focus on want I plan to accomplish to get into the right mindset. Then I buckle down and get back into the flow of things by taking action on tasks found on my "To-Do List".

Hope some of the suggestions and comments have been helpful. Good luck to you and all of the fellow Warriors who have been faced with this challenge!


Iris

Motivation aint the problem for me. That's why they invented coffee and other stimulants

My issue is having my beautiful, gorgeous 1 and a half year old daughter trying to feed my Labrador her crayons or trying to climb into the washing machine

I think at times all of us that work from a home office struggle with this. I used to get in the bad habit of bringing my laptop in the living room & sitting in front of the TV...trying to work and watch ESPN at the same time.

What I do now is simply commit certain blocks of my day to my office space that I have designated in my house.

It also helps if I break my work down into 60-90 minute intervals...that way, I know all I have to do is work really hard for an hour at a time, and I can take a short 10 minute break.

If you focus on allocating certain blocks of time each day strictly to work, then you will be more productive.

For me it doesn't matter where I work whether at home or in an office I can become distracted by other people or the Internet. I have found the following things really useful:

Ask yourself why you are doing this. If it's to make money then why do you need the money - freedom etc. Write these whys on a list by your computer so you have them visible every time you sit down.
Schedule your day the night before so you are already "living" it. Write the tasks you need to do and do them in order. Don't move onto the next one until the first one is done.
Reward yourself when you've completed a task and enjoy yourself so spend some time for lunch or exercise.
Nicky

In my case I found it was less motivation than it was the lack of focus. People tend to get the two mixed up in some cases. I feelas long as you log in EVERYDAY and attempt to do IM your STILL motivated, your next thing to do is channel that and focus your efforts.

Motivation is lost the day you GIVEUP completely with IM.

Cheers!
Bryan

Hell yes! It's so hard for me to stay away from Youtube, Hulu, Netflix ect.. knowing that no one is breathing down my neck. I work best under pressure so I usually figure out a way to get things done though.

This is why concentration plays a huge rule in succeeding in online business.

Yes! There's so many distractions at home and because you don't have a boss you don't feel 'restricted' so you go out when you feel like it and so on.

What I do to ensure I work is write a list of what needs doing the night before and then I crack on with that list.

It is hard when working at home. I find that friends and family don't think I am working and am able to spend hours on the phone chatting!

I've decided to be more strict. I wont answer my phone during my working hours (if its really important they can send a text).

Dress as if I am going out to work.

Have a daily and weekly planner and stick to completing my tasks before I even check out my email (unless I am expecting something really important in my email box)!

Incorporate things that I need to do in the home during my breaks - like walking the dog, getting the washing going or hanging it out etc. Having breaks often is actually good for concentration - and my back!

Those are my thoughts at the moment anyway.

Hello! that happened a lot to me. But if I found myself in those times, I usually make a list of the most little things detailed so I can at least make them, you know, kinda like a check list but set in the most basic goal up to the most complicated ones. Then I always try to get all of them done according to their importance.

Hi, it's true that motivation, as well as productivity and procrastination are killing your business if not dominated.

A good way to dominate them, apart some high quality training I found on this same forum, is to decide to work. For deciding to work I mean closing your senses to everything. Shutting off radio, tv, putting parents and animals in other rooms as well as creating the perfect "office" to work in.

As office, I prepared a room in my house where anyone must stay out. If you are in a room with a pc, a printer and some tech stuff, there's no way to miss.
And more, on the market you can find some text writing software who shut off all the other temptations on pc, showing a white or black screen behind your document.

I don't like so much this last idea, because I need to surf to check some concepts and so on, but for someone this could be the working idea.

The most important thing is thinking that if you don't work, you don't get any money. This make me work all day

See you soon,
Alessandro Zamboni

This happens with me, goals do work. But not all of the time. As there is so much to distract me I think an office would work a lot better.

This thread is an eye-opener.

Will def consider renting an office one day...

Working from home is a total "pain in the ass." If you are single - or have an understanding partner - things may be different - but if you have a family - working from home can be torture.

If you have kids, forget it.... you will be very unproductive. Young children do not understand you are working. The only thing they understand is that you are home when they are home - and you are not spending time with them!

My advice - if you are single - no problem - work from home. If you are married or have a partner you love tremendously and they respect your time and what you do - work from home.

If you have young kids who are not in school yet - DO NOT work from home! You will get very little accomplished.....

Working from home is seen as a something "heavenly." In reality - it normally is not.

I make sure I get up on a set schedule. I also make sure I exercise each work day. that seems to keep me focus.

Working at home is a bit hit and miss at times. For me I was used to lounge around while working which eventually equated to a lack of progression, so since then I have refurbished my garage and have created it into a designated office designed for work only!

I have no music, no tv, or any other source of entertainment. I literally only have a desk, computer and a chair. I had to do this because if I treat something like a working environment, I will work.

As for facebook, twitter and all the other places I can go on to pass time online, my rule of thumb is to get the work out of the way first..do not rush it, but prioritize it. Then perhaps after some work, or a break, I will go ahead and check them out.

One last thing I do to keep me on track is to designate a working routine. So I will work from X'oclock to X'oclock from Monday to Friday. Just by treating it like a work place will make a massive impact to the way we look at the jobs that need to be done online.

It's easy to misplace your time doing something else, but if you've got commitment for your cause, your niche, your work, your FUTURE... then motivation shouldn't be too hard.

That's my 2 cents

NO! HAVE YOU EVER WORKED IN AN OFFICE ?!?!

The motivation comes from the Chedder (i.e moneey), as you get sales, i find it hard not waiting anxiously to get to my laptop to make another sale, check my aff accounts etc..

Secondly, the whole purpose of IM (maybe just for me) is i could work while i TRAVEL, which is my love.

You can party at Thailand, relax on the beach with a coconut smoothie and cash in the money.

NOTE *im not talking about the "dream" every new blogger has in mind, im talking about the Real Deal.

Cheers,

Lol, sounds alot like me , one way I over come it is that I make list of the things I need to in a day, I stick to it, once done I go off and play computer games. My reward for the da, if I get my list of thing done.

It helps me alot

Most people wish they could be their own boss, however, this at times requires you to become the boss that tells you to get back to work, when the beach is calling you on a hot summery day.

It's a common problem and almost everyone is susceptible to do the same.

There are a few things to do. Either find a better motivation to work or have more time alloted for work. Even if you slack of a bit if you have a lot of time for work then I guess intended work may be done. Either way, just find a way to get all unnecessary stuff away from you. :-)

Problem with motivation? rarely. Distractions? Absolutely.

Here's what works for me :

1. Checklists - I write out what I need to do and post it somewhere visible then I tick off each task that I've done. Its always motivating to see a checklist get all done.

2. Setup a separate work space - it should have nothing but work related stuff. It doesn't matter where it is as long as its isolated or insulated from your home life.

3. Fixed working hours - keep it separate. There is a huge temptation to work only when you want to but then this lack of discipline will keep you from getting anything done.

4. Breaks - stand up and walk around from time to time. Brew a fresh pot of coffee, light up or snack on something healthy. This will help maintain your focus and keep you productive longer. Siestas are great too, just make sure you set an alarm.

Staying focussed can be hard when working from home!
I always write a to do list every day with a limited number of tasks I HAVE to get done.
Also I find showering as soon as I get up helps me to focus on the day ahead and stay focussed on my work.
I used to have that problem too. Now I limit myself to only using Facebook and Twitter on my phone. This helps me to stay focussed on what on what I need to do work wise.

I also write down my goals and place them in front of me in the office and in the bathroom. This helps me to stay focussed on what I need to achieve.

Hope this helps

I believe everyone at one point in his/her life would lose some motivation but if you think of what you can gain at the end of the day. This just gives you a reason to keep going...

It's time to make the time works for you... make the time pay for you.

Yes, it is so easy to get distracted by other activities.
But since you know this to be the case, it's a good idea to face the issue head-on and develop a plan that works for you to stay in the zone and make good use of your time. what that plan is, will vary from person to person. And there are some excellent suggestions in this thread.