If you are a work-from-home entrepreneur then you will agree that being your boss is the most cherished luxury in a home based business. And you will also agree with the fact that this luxury comes with a demon called: distraction.
These distractions may seem very frivolous, but if you come to think of it, its these trivial activities that hamper your productivity. We have a list of most common distractions that can divert your mind easily, so have a look and if you have been squandering away your time in any of these activities, then you must consider curbing them.
1. Phone
Even if you are working in a calm environment of your home in complete solitude, one phone call from a friend or family can easily distract you. You could be a very social person, and receiving endless, non-business related calls may a daily routine for you but when it comes to work, keep these calls at bay. With smart phones gaining popularity, conversing is not the only distraction that a phone carries these days.
2. Daily Chores
Another advantage of working from home is the liberty to do your daily chores at you own pace, however this privilege becomes a hindrance if you are in the habit of completing them during your working hours. Many a times it becomes difficult to draw a line between professional and domestic life, but remember if you don't draw this line you will end up messing up your work. Try to remind yourself, that if you would have been working in some office away from your the comfort of your home, your laundry and dishes would be waiting for you to come back and finish them. Why should it be any different now?
3. Television
Sometimes its your favorite game, at times a sudden twist in your favorite soap opera or something that catches your attention and makes you forget that you are an entrepreneur and your business needs you to spend time on it rather than indulging yourself with the idiot box. Although there are many home-based entrepreneurs who prefer to keep their television running while working, and if you are one those blessed people who can work efficiently while watching TV then ignore this point, and if not, then it is highly recommended to schedule timings for your television treat.
4. Social Networking
Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube or any similar sites that social networking is the latest contestant in the top 10 distractions while working. Although, it is these very sites that hugely help in promoting your brand, but if you end up posting your last night party's pics on Facebook or stalking your favorite celebrity on Twitter, then it is complete waste of time and energy. Try to stay 'invisible' in chat rooms and limit your 'friendly' interactions on these sites till the time your 'to-do' list is accomplished.
5. Browsing
Internet comes with massive amount information and getting lost in the web exploring various wonders and news in the world can turn out to be quiet time consuming. You may begin your search looking for something work related, but thanks to inter-linking you may end reading what Justin Bieber has been up to lately. The best solution is to subscribe to RSS and read what you love after completing your research related your business.
6. Your Refrigerator
Eating frequently is another common distraction among many home based entrepreneurs, with refrigerator and kitchen just few steps away, temptation to munch something or another every now and then sure does become quiet tempting. However, having small frequent meals during the day is recommended, but don't abuse this theory by overly indulging yourself in food. Learn to draw a line and do your health and your business a favor.
7. Emails
Although email marketing is good for your business, but if you have not filtered work related emails and mails from friends 'n family then you are definitely wasting precious time by getting distracted and ignoring the mails with higher priority. If you are a crafter, writer or an artist, then we recommend that you set time to check and answer your mails so that email notifications don't get into the way of your creativity. Google allows you to integrate all your mail accounts into one, but it is advisable to segregate work mails form friends 'n family.
8. Working All The Time
Another problem that home based entrepreneurs face is that they get into the habit of working 24/7, an email pop up in midst of dinner is enough to distract them and ignore other important things life. You may be curious to check the traffic to your site every now and then, but as we mentioned earlier that you must learn to draw a line between work and domestic life. Like they say ' all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' and this holds true for home based entrepreneurs too, therefore give yourself a break and enjoy yourself, later devote yourself completely to your work.
9. Family & Friends
Another major advantage while working from home is that you get to be close to your family and friends, but if it starts hampering your work then it becomes a distraction. Kids may need to be fed or picked up, your friends may drop in for a beer or a coffee but you need to let them know that even if you are at home, you are still at work. Talk to them and let them know that during certain hours of the day, you are not available, other than that, you are all theirs.
10. Procrastination
Many a times working from home leads to laziness and entrepreneurs end up delaying task completion and then panicking when a deadline sits on their head. This leads to unnecessary stress and guilt which eventually hampers health and productivity. If you have committed your self to something then don't let carelessness or displeasure towards a certain task stop you. In fact make it a point to finish the least desirable task first and save yourself the embarrassment of not meeting a particular deadline.
About this Author
Gunjan writes for E-junkie's blog where she talks about E-commerce, Small Businesses and Self Publishing.
Website: http://www.e-junkie.com/
Blog: http://www.e-junkie.info/
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