Jan 8, 2015
This Week’s Episode
Happy New Year! In response to feedback from the listener survey I shared with the email list, I’m sharing 10 habits for successfully ‘owning’ from home.
I’ve been a full-time solopreneur for about 15 months, and I had to learn some new habits and modify others. Owning a home-based business has some interesting challenges and isn’t quite the same as working from home.
10 Habits for Successfully “Owning” (or Working) from Home
- Shower and dress
- Prioritize weekly (or more frequently)
- Establish work areas for different tasks
- Structure the schedule
- Minimize distractions
- Find and use appropriate audio and visual aides
- Stay hydrated
- Eat regularly
- Schedule time with peers
- Don’t forget to take days off
These habits help me stay productive and focused, and allow me to face the many challenges of operating a home-based business as a solopreneur.
1) Shower and dress
I start the morning off just as though I would be going to work in a traditional setting by showering and getting dressed. Although I do wear very casual clothes when working from home (in the tradition of the housedresses my grandmothers wore), the process and structure of these morning rituals help me to have a more defined day, and to get myself mentally prepared for work.
2) Prioritize weekly (or more frequently)
On my most productive weeks, I review my to-do list, my future plans, and recent emails on Sunday night to develop a list of weekly tasks to complete. I may even specify the days when each of these tasks should happen, or set an internal deadline within the week.
During the year, I tried another tactic I read about online. Instead of listing specific tasks for the week, I listed the projects I planned to focus on during the week. This method is supposed to reduce the feeling of overwhelm that is sometimes associated with long to-do lists. I didn’t find this tactic to be helpful, but I mention it in case it might work for you and your business.
I also include habits I’m trying to develop on my to-do list. For example, when I was first getting back into regularly posting on Pinterest, I would write down “Pin 5 things” and list each day of the week so I could cross off each day as I posted my Pins. Once I have developed a habit, I no longer list it on the to-do list. (So, I don’t list “check email” on my list, but the list is otherwise quite detailed and specific.)
I may adjust the list during the week as priorities shift, but I still find it helpful to maintain.
3) Establish work areas for different tasks
Although many articles I’ve read about working from home stress the importance of creating a work space/desk, I find that having multiple work areas is more effective. Each space should be optimized for the type of work you do from that location. For example, I prefer to podcast from an area that has better sound, do accounting at a desk with a larger monitor, and crochet my samples from a cushioned chair.
This doesn’t mean that each area is the size of an entire home office, but rather that you consider what spaces are the most appropriate for certain tasks. I also have some out-of-home places that I enjoy working from on occasion. One of my local libraries is very quiet, has a large communal desk next to a window that I can work from, and is well staffed and well lit. It makes a great location for writing without distraction.
Working from different spaces can also help to break up the monotony of working from home, which may lead to a creative rut.
4) Structure the schedule
On a related note, consider choosing specific days of the week or times of day to do specific types of work. As you set a structured schedule, consider when you have the most energy, when you can work with the least interruption, and the length of blocks of time you have available on different days.
When I’ve done this, I’ve found that I’m much more efficient because I’m not constantly switching back and forth between different types of skills, energy, and workspaces. For example, you may want to cluster your writing activities on a certain day when you have few distractions and during the time of day when you feel mentally alert.
5) Minimize distractions
I don’t have a smartphone, I don’t have any alerts set up on my laptop, and I usually keep my cell phone on vibrate. This lack of electronic distractions helps me maintain focus and determine when I will be interrupted. I can maintain more control over my day because I choose when I will check my email, voice messages, Facebook notifications, etc.
There are other types of distractions as well. Perhaps you own/work from home and you have caregiving responsibilities for children or other family members. Consider how to structure your day to minimize distractions or to work on demanding tasks that require more concentration when you’re least likely to have interruptions. Or, ask for help with caregiving responsibilities when you have important deadlines or need to focus on a concentrated business task.
6) Find and use appropriate audio and visual aides
I find that listening to instrumental music allows me to maintain an energetic pace without the distraction of lyrics. When working on simple crochet or knit samples, I enjoy watching streaming shows or catching up on video tutorials. While commuting and doing errands, I enjoy listening to podcasts. You may have similar preferences for audio and visual aides.
I use a secret Pinterest board to organize tutorials I plan to
watch. I have queued films and shows on Netflix. I subscribe to the
podcasts I listen to regularly and make sure to download them at
least weekly. And, I maintain a list of internet
radio stations I listen to regularly and keep a few
instrumental playlists on my laptop. This way, as soon as I’m ready
for a specific type of audio or visual information, I don’t need to
waste time searching for the right content.
7) Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated keeps me alert and keeps my skin healthy so I don’t have too much dryness when crocheting or knitting my samples. Drinking water at regular intervals also provides a reason for me to get up multiple times during the day, which is critical when you are sedentary for most of the day.
8) Eat regularly
I make sure not to skip meals during the day so that I can keep my energy level high and my mental focus strong. Even when I’m “in the zone,” I will step away from an activity to prepare a meal so that I don’t fizzle out later.
9) Schedule time with peers
People who work in traditional work settings interact regularly with peers and co-workers, and most home-based business owners don’t have such frequent interactions with peers. I recommend you schedule time (face-to-face or online) to talk with other home-based business owners.
Specifically, I’m referring to private settings online where you can have honest discussions with your peers about concerns or challenges in your business. So, I’m not including Ravelry groups, for example, but private Facebook groups.
If you can find creative entrepreneurs or, better yet, other yarn industry indies, you can talk even more specifically while also networking with your peers.
10) Don’t forget to take days off
It’s easy to fall into the trap of working all the time when you own a home-based business, but taking time off to relax, spend time with family and friends, and just to regain focus can be critical to your business success. If you are feeling unmotivated or burned out, taking a day off can give you time to recharge so you return more productive.
If you enjoyed this episode
The Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in January, 2015. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).