Motivated to work at home?

Fair Light · #1 02/24/11, 04:19 PM

I have dropped to part time at my regular job....I have decided to develope a sort of consulting business from my home for home gardeners...I have some contracted work lined up...I am excited but I have one problem...I have been sitting here at my dining room table/ desk all day...It is getting later and later..and I am having a really hard time getting motivated to actually do my work. It has been raining all day and very dreary...I have tried every thing...Got up at regular time (instead of sleeping in) showered, dressed, had breakfast..etc etc..And honestly I have wasted away this day..I have even popped in a movie that I have seen a gazillion times as back ground noise. I have done everything but get my work done...I have surfed the web and come here to HT more times than I should have today...How can I be excited about doing this and then NOT have the motivation to get it done...this is a good opportunity for me..I just need to know what you "work at home" folks do to actually work at home...

Harry Chickpea · #2 02/24/11, 04:23 PM

You just need someone to tell you to get to work. GET TO WORK! Whaddya think I'm paying you for!!!

What do us WAH workers do? Uhhhh What am I doing here???

Jokarva · #3 02/24/11, 05:44 PM

This is why neither DH or I could ever be self employed - we'd have to fire ourselves for never getting anything done.

Danaus29 · #4 02/24/11, 05:49 PM

I can't even get motivated to do dishes or laundry lately. No way I would be able to get motivated enough to take on another task at home. When I'm at work I can't do anything else.

gottahaveagoat · #5 02/24/11, 06:02 PM

I've worked from home for about 7 years. It is very hard at first to motivate yourself. You are doing the right things by getting up and getting ready etc. What I do, I set certain times to work and stick to them. ( I work around my kids schedules) Some days it might be 9-10:30 and 1-4 and then a little in eveing but I get all my work done. Even if you decided working 2 hrs here then break, then 2 more hours and break etc. You need to figure out what works for you. I don't know if you have an actual home office but that works the best. In evenings, if I find I need to work but want to be with the family I work off the kitchen table. I really think an actual home office is best. It's got the feel of going to work. Wish you the best, you will figure out what works just hang in there.

xix · #6 02/24/11, 06:18 PM

It is hard to stay motivated. I work with deadines well. That and making rewards for myself. If I get everything cut out, I can sit and read for 30 minutes. Stuff like that.

furholler · #7 02/24/11, 07:50 PM

Sounds like the typical self employment downfall. It really takes a LOT of work and motiviation. Self employed people are very self motivated, they rarely need someone to tell them to get moving-especially successful ones. With a 9-5 job, you do what you have to to get to quitting time. At home, there is no quitting time. Self employment isn't for everyone, which is why I'm not. We do things on the side, but I keep a job because I can always find an excuse not to work. By the way, a wise man once told me that an excuse is simply the SKIN of a REASON stuffed with a lie-affectionately known, around here, as "reason sausage".

One more reason to teach our kids diligence and perseverance, things I was never taught and find it hard to learn as an adult.

Yvonne's hubby · #8 02/24/11, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fair Light

I just need to know what you "work at home" folks do to actually work at home...

I just stack the unpaid bills in front of me. Works like a charm for me!

TheMartianChick · #9 02/24/11, 09:10 PM

I've been working from home part time for years. Prior to that I worked from home full-time...It just isn't for everyone. Not everyone is wired the same. Working from home works for me because I'd rather be at home than in the office. I am far more productinve at home and I love the fact that the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher are loaded and working everytime that I sit down to work. I can even cook dinner at the same time, if I desire. My goal is to eventually work from home full time again.

It really is a matter of dicipline and being accountable for your own actions. Not everyone can do this. My husband needs a set work schedule and a demanding boss to keep him motivated. Otherwise, he'd be lured away by ESPN...

Fair Light · #10 02/25/11, 11:23 AM

Thanks guys....its just new for me....I have no problem getting "outdoor" garden work done...it's just the "sit at the desk" kind.....LOL...I get off line this very moment and "get busy now"....well after another cup of tea.....I can do this...I can do this...I can do this....

Dutchie · #11 02/25/11, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMartianChick

I've been working from home part time for years. Prior to that I worked from home full-time...It just isn't for everyone. Not everyone is wired the same. Working from home works for me because I'd rather be at home than in the office. I am far more productinve at home and I love the fact that the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher are loaded and working everytime that I sit down to work. I can even cook dinner at the same time, if I desire. My goal is to eventually work from home full time again.

I am the same way. I am MUCH more productive here than at an office. And if I don't meet my deadlines I can't keep my clients and students happy, and will lose my reputation as a professional.

ETA: I also have no problem working into the evening or on weekends, especially if I want to do something for myself on a weekday.

Dutchie · #12 02/25/11, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fair Light

Thanks guys....its just new for me....I have no problem getting "outdoor" garden work done...it's just the "sit at the desk" kind.....LOL...I get off line this very moment and "get busy now"....well after another cup of tea.....I can do this...I can do this...I can do this....

Here is the thing.

When you are an employee you will always be depending on somebody else for a paycheck. If that other person screws up and the business goes under you are out of a job.

When you are self employed you ARE that person who provides you with a paycheck. And the harder and smarter you work, the more your business will grow. In other words, as a self-employed person the level of your income is up to you. No, you may not be working just 9-5 many days, But in the long run it is worth it.

Just keep thinking about that and the tax advantages of having a business at your house.