For everyone who missed Roberta's talk on "Maintaining discipline and motivation when you work alone," here are the highlights:
1.Tips on how to stay disciplined
*Draw a line between personal and professional time. You need to "intentionally" manage your time -- What hours are work time and what hours are personal/family time. It's easy with the pervasiveness of technology in our lives to blur the distinction.
*Work from a plan. It's essential to always move towards a destination. This also requires that you establish a time frame within which to reach your goals. Keeping a destination in mind will help you to make decisions You can always change your plan, but you need to start with one.
*Structure your day with rules and stick to them. Decide where to work, especially if you work at home. Be sure that family members are aware of your rules and follow them. Daily, create written expectations of what you plan to accomplish.
*Take the path of least resistance. Don't make things more complicated than they need to be. This includes honoring your own rhythm – ie at what time of day do you work best? Don't work in the early morning if you are most efficient later in the day.
*Do daily maintenance. Avoid clutter in your work space. You will be more focused that way.
*Stay connected to your field. You will lose your confidence if you aren't up on the latest trends, research etc...
*Create a system of accountability. Work on deadlines. Have a weekly appointment with yourself to clarify what you wish to accomplish for the week. It may help to have an accountability buddy -- a colleague or friend; but not anyone who is too personally or financially invested in your business.
2. Tips on how to stay motivated:
*Have a support network. Don’t isolate yourself : collaborate. Collaboration both keeps you committed, and may bring new business opportunities.
*Schedule regular human contact. This may also double as networking time.
*Work towards short and long term goals every week. Instead of fighting fires, make progress a habit.
*Measure your progress objectively.
* Keep concrete reminders of your progress handy.
*Keep 2 lists available: 1. the business benefits of what you are pursuing and 2. the personal benefits of your endeavor.
* Have scheduled intermittent rewards. This may be particulary helpful if done after completing tasks that your really dislike.
* Consider hiring out; especially to cover parts of your work that you dislike.
*Have a 15 minute success. Pick something that has to be done, and that will take no longer than 15 minutes, and complete it. It will fuel you to accomplish other things.
* Know who your champions are and reach out to them when you need a boost. These people can instantnly change your mood and encourage you to continue.
*Plan to become unmotivated. Everyone will have those moments. Have an arsenal of tools available to pull you out.
*When you get off track, just climb back on -- without judgement!!!
We hope that this is helpful for everyone.
Also, new on the sale rack today : from 60-70% off of select styles by Walter, Cynthia Steffe, and Poleci
http://www.wicati.com/
1.Tips on how to stay disciplined
*Draw a line between personal and professional time. You need to "intentionally" manage your time -- What hours are work time and what hours are personal/family time. It's easy with the pervasiveness of technology in our lives to blur the distinction.
*Work from a plan. It's essential to always move towards a destination. This also requires that you establish a time frame within which to reach your goals. Keeping a destination in mind will help you to make decisions You can always change your plan, but you need to start with one.
*Structure your day with rules and stick to them. Decide where to work, especially if you work at home. Be sure that family members are aware of your rules and follow them. Daily, create written expectations of what you plan to accomplish.
*Take the path of least resistance. Don't make things more complicated than they need to be. This includes honoring your own rhythm – ie at what time of day do you work best? Don't work in the early morning if you are most efficient later in the day.
*Do daily maintenance. Avoid clutter in your work space. You will be more focused that way.
*Stay connected to your field. You will lose your confidence if you aren't up on the latest trends, research etc...
*Create a system of accountability. Work on deadlines. Have a weekly appointment with yourself to clarify what you wish to accomplish for the week. It may help to have an accountability buddy -- a colleague or friend; but not anyone who is too personally or financially invested in your business.
2. Tips on how to stay motivated:
*Have a support network. Don’t isolate yourself : collaborate. Collaboration both keeps you committed, and may bring new business opportunities.
*Schedule regular human contact. This may also double as networking time.
*Work towards short and long term goals every week. Instead of fighting fires, make progress a habit.
*Measure your progress objectively.
* Keep concrete reminders of your progress handy.
*Keep 2 lists available: 1. the business benefits of what you are pursuing and 2. the personal benefits of your endeavor.
* Have scheduled intermittent rewards. This may be particulary helpful if done after completing tasks that your really dislike.
* Consider hiring out; especially to cover parts of your work that you dislike.
*Have a 15 minute success. Pick something that has to be done, and that will take no longer than 15 minutes, and complete it. It will fuel you to accomplish other things.
* Know who your champions are and reach out to them when you need a boost. These people can instantnly change your mood and encourage you to continue.
*Plan to become unmotivated. Everyone will have those moments. Have an arsenal of tools available to pull you out.
*When you get off track, just climb back on -- without judgement!!!
We hope that this is helpful for everyone.
Also, new on the sale rack today : from 60-70% off of select styles by Walter, Cynthia Steffe, and Poleci
http://www.wicati.com/
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