Do you work from home? I do. I have a separate office in my home - a space designated just for working. I love it. It is very convenient and thankfully clients are not aware that often when I am working with them on the phone that I am sitting in my pajamas with my dog at my feet. I don't have children at home any longer so distractions are not my problem. Working endlessly is. It is hard to set good work boundaries (ie. normal office hours) when you are working from home. Or that is what I find anyway. It seems I live in this always accessible, always available, always working mode.
1. Take breaks. Get up and stretch. Go outside for at least 30 minutes everyday (huge health benefits I hear with going outside - including helping with better sleep).
2. Do not work long into the night. Set a regular work routine and stick to it. Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Really HUGE health benefits on this one and I am not very good with this at all.
3. Be careful with your eyes. I spend HOURS in front of the computer either working on invoices or research (well yeah, and reading blogs, haha). Try the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Like these tips? I found most of them here. There are 30 altogether if you want to read the whole article!
If you have the opposite problem I do and find yourself distracted and have difficulty staying focused here is a great tip for you:
Keep 3 lists of 3: Three things you will get done, three things you would like to get done but aren't essential, and three things that need to get done at some point. That way you stay focused and aren't left with idle time at the end of the day.
I hope my sister who is the illustrator is reading this. She works crazy hours and sleeps very little. And today is her birthday. So I hope she will take heed and go outside for a while today!
Okay people. It's Monday. Now get back to work! :D
Happy Birthday Deb!
4 comments:
Thank you for your comment today! I'm so happy to be a new follower!
Stacy
Yes, I can relate to all of this! I have two little dogs at my feet right now! Great tips. I do find that I'm constantly working and late into the evenings. I really need to get better about setting office hours and sticking to them.
Wow, great post sherri! Thank you! How did you know this is just what I needed?
I'm still working a full time job while pursuing my small decorating business. I've taken a few days off here and there to dedicate to design projects here at home, and it was really difficult to get into a routine. I know that once I make the jump and work from home all the time (I hope) that I'll need to establish a routine for myself to stay on task. These are great tips! And beautiful offices too - that's on my never ending to-do list.
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