Work at Home Productivity Tips –

During summer holidays one of the most important things to remember, and one of the hardest things to do is to designate our working hours and our playing hours. 

Staying 'on task' becomes sometimes a far away dream if we don't make a concentrated effort to do so. 

The Internet is a big place, so to speak, and it is full of distractions, and these distractions become mere specks on the landscape when our house becomes full of 2 legged distractions home for the summer. 

It's very easy to get sidetracked when you work at home during the summer. 

It's one of the best things about working at home. I can't say I protest loudly when I have to pack up and go to the beach, but it is important not to let distractions affect your productivity. 

Even if you're not getting paid by the hour, time is still money.

SET HOURS AND STICK TO THEM

One of the advantages to being your own boss is the ability to set your own hours. 

This is particularly true when you have an online business, because you don't necessarily have to keep hours that are convenient to your customers. 

But it is important to actually set working hours instead of just working when the mood strikes.

* Write yourself a note reminding yourself that work time is for work only, or put up an "Open" sign.  It can serve as a gentle reminder to yourself and everyone else that work time is work time.

My daughter made me a sign when she was quite small that said 'Do not disturve. Worker working. I still have it here somewhere'.  I think I'm going to dig it out.

* Use your timer so that you don't have to keep checking the clock, and neither does anyone else. When it rings, it's time to move on. 

USE FLEXIBILITY WISELY

Another great thing about working online is flexibility. 

If something comes up and you need to attend to it right away, you can drop what you're doing and attend to it. 

But it's crucial to stay balanced, and not to abuse this privilege that working at home give us.

When you have an unexpected interruption, even if it is adorable and cuddly, or not so adorable and cuddly, you lose working hours. 

If you were working at a regular job, you would have to either take sick or vacation time or lose pay. 

When you work for yourself, you can make the hours up at a time that is convenient for you. 

Be sure that you do, however I do believe that summer holidays are a good time to cut yourself some slack.

The trick is to plan some down time and stick to your plan.

HOW DO I LOVE THEE, LET ME COUNT THE WAYS

Let's face it, working at home during the summer is a challenge, but sometimes resembles lifestyles of the rich and famous as we park ourselves and our laptop on the back deck, take our paperwork to the beach or take a long lunch for a stroll in the park.

An online business is one of the most convenient and flexible ways to work from home. 

It also presents more opportunities for distraction than many people imagine. 

Online business success requires a lot of discipline, but the rewards are many.

Here they come now…