"In It To Win It" For Yourself

Working within the Arise Platform is an awesome, work-from-home opportunity.

While that phrase “work from the comfort of your own home” sounds wonderful – and it is – it’s important to realize distractions are everywhere, from the phone, to the dog, to the knock on the front door, to the baby crying, to the bathroom that is begging to be cleaned.

For years, online gurus have claimed how wonderful it is to work from home (or on the beach, in a hot air balloon – you get the picture) doing what you want whenever you want, even in the comfort of your jammies … but the truth is this: working from home is just that – WORKING. It requires a solid commitment to yourself that you will dedicate “X” amount of time to earning “X” amount of dollars – those dollars being whatever you need or want.

Did you know there is an estimated 54 million people (a number that’s growing every day) who have decided to be the master of their own fate and work from home? Some are entrepreneurs who have a hobby, craft, or invention but most are freelancers and independent contractors, like me, who work within another framework – mine being the Arise Platform of work-at-home opportunities.

Providing services as an independent contractor is an up and coming way of life for so many folks that some might even call it a movement! Statistics don’t lie: companies are changing their structures, downsizing, some completely going out of business, and those deemed as “employees” are being thrown wake-up calls that require them to be “in it to win it” for themselves.

Being “in it to win it” for yourself requires FOCUS.

How to focus when working from home

Focus is a commodity in short supply no matter who or what age you are! We all have busy lives filled with a lot of <you fill in the blank>. There are so many things to occupy and pre-occupy us that sometimes it’s downright scary.

But not to worry; this post will give you the top sure-fire ways to stay both focused and motivated when working from home.

1. The 52 / 17 Rule

Statistics have shown that when you work at one thing for a period of time that taking breaks helps keep up both motivation and productivity. However, recent experimentation on this reveals that there is an actual “formula” for this work-then-break thing, and it’s called work at whatever you’re doing for a little less than one hour - approximately 52 minutes - and then take a break a bit longer than what employers normally give - approximately 17 minutes as opposed to the standard 15.

The great thing about working from home is that even THIS RULE OF THUMB can depend on your personal preferences. For instance, I prefer to work in shorter, 30-minute sprints, called “intervals”. I normally choose three, 30 minute intervals and then take one 30 minute break. I do this purposefully when I choose my working “intervals” for the Fortune 500 company I’m serving.

Whatever you decide will work best for you, be sure to set a cell phone alarm or something like that to resist any distractions that could interfere with your dedicated work time. Think about it: why wait for four hours to pass (as is standard in the “daily grind work for an employer” before taking a break to get that caffeine fix when you could have it whenever you choose?

2. Step away from Facebook & Twitter

It’s no secret social media helps improve work productivity … but this statistic isn’t about checking that media throughout your work day! It’s more about marketing and your online footprint that may help inter-office collaborations or the launch of your newest book.

If you just can’t go a full day without a social media check, set aside a specific time to do that – maybe even use that time as your “reward” for staying on-task. If you’re one of those people like my daughter, who couldn’t possibly go without checking out those media alerts on her phone or computer going off every few minutes, check out a tool like “Cold Turkey”, an amazing and FREE “blocker” app which will completely x-out your ability to give in to temptation to check those social media and other sites during your designated work times – which, remember, YOU set up as the times YOU wanted or needed to be earning that cash!

3. Be more Active

We know that exercise can help improve mood and increase energy. But did you know that setting aside time to do a bit of bend-and-snap < (OOPS) stretch exercises during your work day can actually improve productivity? >just a bit of work-at-home humor, there.

Did you know researchers found that people who did 2.5 hours per week of exercise in place of work were just as productive - or even more productive - than those who didn't?

Whatever your work-at-home “job” is, instead of working out in the evenings when you're likely too tired, make a bit of bend-and-stretch part of your regular daytime schedule. Don't be surprised if your energy and focus actually increases because of it!

4. Maintain a 'base level of pressure'

Okay, that’s probably new jargon for ya. But what it means is simply setting yourself some deadlines. Yep – there ARE those folks, like me, who work best under some pressure. If you’re one of us you’ll agree that the more time you have to complete something, the slower you go to get it done, don’t you agree?

This is where self-set deadlines come in handy.

If you’ve decided to work a full, forty-hour week this week then give yourself a tight but realistic time frame in which to get that done. Choose your “intervals” accordingly and by that I mean “plan your work and work your plan.” This will help give you laser-focus as you work.

5. Resist the urge to stay in your PJ's

Can you really work in your pajamas?

I know … I know. It’s been toted all over the internet that working from home allows you the option of working in your jammies. And that’s true – that option is yours. BUT … the clothes you wear have a direct impact on your work performance and productivity.

Think about it. Whenever you’re in sweats or pajamas, it just doesn’t feel like it’s time to work; it feels more like TV or distraction time. Want to know why?

According to Dr. Karen Pine, a professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, which clothes you choose to work in are important. She states: "When we put on an item of clothing it is common for the wearer to adopt the characteristics associated with that garment. Types of clothing have symbolic meaning for us, whether it's professional work attire or relaxing weekend wear.”

In other words, our brain causes us to behave in a way consistent with what our clothing mean to us. So if we’re in pj’s, our brain pushes us to ‘let go and chill-ax.’ Talk about the mind-body connection!

That’s why I make a point of getting dressed every day, just as if I were going into the office. I may leave off some of the makeup and/or jewelry, but I’ve come to realize that – practically speaking – how I’m dressed is a strong boost to my productivity and motivation.

6. Decide Your Week a Week In Advance: Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan

Looking ahead to the upcoming weeks and months can be overwhelming – for me it causes my brain to frizz out. Now that I work-from-home without the energy buzz of co-workers and the set-for-me end to the day, it can be easy to lose motivation and focus.

This is why it’s so important to decide ahead of time the exact time for each day during a week you’ll be working and when that time ENDS. Working from home allows me to look at my upcoming week to see what my family needs and choose my work hours around those needs. Planning my work and then working my plan gives me added focus and motivation, keeping me from giving in to distractions.

If you don’t have family to consider, think about YOU. Are you more a morning person …or does your energies normally “spike” in the afternoons? Do you enjoy sleeping in and are a died-in-the-wool night owl? Working from home allows you to choose a set time each day (and/or evening) that’s the same - this is my personal preference – or choose which times of day or evening work best for you.

7. Have a dedicated work space

Not everyone has the luxury of having a home office, and that's ok. Even if you live in a 500 square foot apartment, you can set aside a small area that's just for work-related activities … an area that looks and feels like a work space.

If you’ve family at home during your chosen work times, alert them to the fact that you’ll be “at work” during certain times and to treat you and your area accordingly.

Making the couch "your work space" rarely works and will leave you fidgeting around for a more comfortable spot for your backside, not to mention you’re way to assessable to distractions, both people and the four-legged kind. Make sure you have a comfortable desk and chair and use it.

Having this clear delineation between 'home' and 'work' areas help ensure that you, and those around you, have proper boundaries and expectations when it comes to your work time. If you ARE lucky enough to have a separate room for your home office, make it a focus-and-productive-friendly work space as possible.

Conclusion

Studies have clearly shown that working from home can increase personal energy, productivity, and satisfaction. But without the proper checks and balances in place, it can just as easily lead to feelings of isolation and a serious lack of all of the above.

Planning for success is key, so use these 7 Top Tips to ensure a successful work-at-home experience.