If you have chosen to work from and not from an office, then you are probably faced with the same problems that I am, most notable is the problem of staying productive! More experienced freelancers have probably long tamed the beasts that tempt us when working from home…
The Main Advantages
- Working to our own schedule
- Low overheads
- Convenience
- Not working for ‘the man’
Our Main Problems
- Working efficiently
- Separating home-life from work-life
- Lack of motivation
- Boredom
- Solitude
Working from home, is a slight paradox in the beginning. In that, well, we have spent most of our lives up to that point associating home as a world away from work, where you can kick back and relax. This notion, combined with all the other stuff that is happening in the home, makes concentrating a bit of a struggle for the best of us. As such in all my efforts to stay productive, I have realised one of the biggest things you can do is give yourself a dedicated working area.
A Dedicated Area
I have moved myself from the dining room table and set up a dedicated ‘office’ work space in a spare bedroom. It’s working out so much better, I have eliminated much of the distractions I have downstairs i.e TV and the Playstation! Working on the kitchen table, is a great way to kill any real ‘business’. Giving myself this full on work-area feels like a real positive step towards taking everything more seriously – less interruptions, background noise and temptation!
Psychologically, giving myself this separate space to work in has done wonders. Then, spending the time, to set it all up according to how I exactly want things. I have a noticeboard; postik notes and my organiser – so I immediately sit down and can see everything I have done, need to do and want to get done!
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[...] Freelancing From Home and Staying Productive [...]
[...] Freelancing From Home and Staying Productive [...]
I do all my freetime-freelance works in my living room because I have got an appartement without space for an office. I would like to have an office room because the TV in front of me is disturbing even when it is off. Maybe in two years I will get a new appartement with one more room
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adminReply:
Hi Michael, sounds like myself, not too long ago! i can testify to the fact that when you give yourself that dedicated work area – you will find yourself getting so much more done!
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OK so it has been nearly one week since i has left my old office work and has decided to work from home. I am 24, is that a problem. Most of the time, i am alone, just me and my computer.
I get my motivations by following a priority list. As you can see, my website is still wip and i am working on it constantly to make it stand out of every other blogs. So this encourage me to sacrifice most of my life and dedicate myself to work.
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Mel @ AcuityReply:
Hi Mahen, i try to get myself away from my PC aswell – to fight the solitude…Have a pop down to a local library for an hour or so to do some work. Be amazed how little journeys in the day can keep you feeling ‘fresh’! Good luck with the blog!
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Hi!
I’ve did the same thing when I moved to my new house, here we got two bedrooms, one of this bedrooms was spare, then I decided to put my computer, my book shelf and a sofa here. It’s like a shelter, it’s distraction proof. Everyday I wake up, take 8 steps away from my bed and starts my daywork.
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That’s a great tip Mel.
I used to have my office and computer in the same room where I slept and tell me about it, I got so distracted. It always seemed like I wanted to take a nap.
Now, my office is in the living room and I have increased my productivity a lot.
The challenge for me now is knowing when to leave the computer and stop working.
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[...] Freelancing From Home and Staying Productive [...]
I work from home and love it – I have a office which has a tv so i work with the tv in the background.
My main problem (if it is a problem!) is staying in bed until 10.30 am starting work at 11am and then working until 7/8pm
I like it, but is probably not ideal.
b
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I live in a small flat, so all I can do is separate work and private life in my head. I wake up round 8, start work at 10 and finish at 6 pm. If I keep this scedule strict, I can be productive and focused. I also agree with taking small walks, having breakfast or lunch out with someone, then back to work. Also one important thing: take one inspiring public event once a week! Last week theater, this week design meetup
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Hey, I have a 1 bed apartment, I work from my Lounge too, I do have space for desk etc on the landing and I have tried it out but for some reason I feel more comfortable and get more work done in the lounge – to my surprise.
I also had offices, much prefer this.
Cheers Luke
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