Sometimes even the most dedicated home – based professionals suffer from a lack of motivation. If your get up and go seems to have gotten up and gone somewhere without you, do not despair. It is not gone forever. Here are a few tips to help you through those times when you just don’t feel like doing your work. Get up and move. Fatigue can definitely sap your motivation, and a brisk walk can help bring your energy back. Bonus points if you walk outdoors, as the visual change can help to break the monotony of your work environment. Even … Continue reading →

It seems like every day, I find new reasons to be thankful that I work from home. Since every day in my life as a stay at home mom is slightly different, I have the opportunity to see my situation as a home – based professional from many different angles. Today, my observations in this area consist of two primary sentiments. Today’s first reason that I am thankful to be a home – based professional comes from my experience as a lawyer. I am thankful that as the owner of my own tiny little law firm, I am in control … Continue reading →

One of the things which sets home – based work apart from traditional work is that home – based professionals are often largely in control of the role that work plays in their lives. While this is not always the case, it is much of the time, especially in situations where the home – based professional owns his or her own business. If one or more of the adults in a household have the freedom to make choices about when and how much to work, it can help the entire family to achieve many things. For example, if one person … Continue reading →

According to “Holiday Insights,” July 5 is “Work-a-Holic Day.” Perhaps as someone who runs a home-based business, you can relate very well to this. One of the ways they define a work-a-holic is someone who is working during the 4th of July weekend, works because it is fun, because you want to (not because you need to), works on the weekends and it’s the last thing you think about before you go to sleep. So how do you fare? Do your answers suggest that you could very well be a work-a-holic? I have to admit, that I guess I am. … Continue reading →

Working from home can be exhausting and overwhelming. You need to have your ducks in a row and maintain a balance between family and work. It can take a long time filled with rejection before you turn begin to operate in the black. Building a platform, advertising, and organizing your business takes time and hard work. Those who work from home combat the idea that life is a cakewalk. We plead with others to understand that we also work long hours and put in a full day, at least. While, that is all true, there is another side. The side … Continue reading →

One of the fun things about being a home – based professional is that you can do your work in any way that floats your boat. You do not need anyone else’s permission to structure your work day, your work area, or anything else about your work in a way that inspires or motivates you. If you are not sure what I am getting at, here are a few fun suggestions. You can dress for work in any way that motivates you. Unless I have a court date, I do my best work in yoga pants and tee shirts. When … Continue reading →

In every job and profession there are “ugh” days. The days you think your head will explode if you have to file one more expense report or write one more word. The days you just want to quit and start something new. For many too many “ugh” days and they are off to work on their own and become home based professionals. No more expense reports, no more unpaid lunches, no more boss’s dirty looks. Soon they settle into their new adventure and things are hard and busy but worth every drop of sweat. Then it happens. The feeling previously … Continue reading →

I was recently thinking about some of the positive aspects to working outside the home. For instance, commuting can be a real source of frustration for many who do it on a daily basis. But I was thinking about how it can also be used as a time of transitioning. That commute can help you move from home mode to work mode and then vice versa when the day is over with. Depending on how long you are commuting and the form of transportation you take, you could spend your time unwinding by listening to music or reading. The point … Continue reading →

Sometimes you just get lucky when it comes to finding work that suits you well. A couple of years ago, I decided to try my hand at freelance writing. At the time, I was a stay at home mom looking for work that I could do from home for an hour or two a day to help pay the bills. I knew that I could write well, and there were no real startup costs to speak of. All that I knew when I started was that the work met my criteria for a flexible schedule and home – based location. … Continue reading →

My biggest problem with freelance writing is staying motivated. Some days, the words just don’t come. When that happens I want to turn off the computer and go do something else. Being a freelancer I have the flexibility to do that but I’ve found that if I let myself walk away it’s harder to get back and easier to walk away the next time. So, I have to find ways to motivate myself. At first, I used rewards, just like I did with my daughter when she was younger, but then the combination of sitting at the computer and all … Continue reading →