Guest post by Jen Cangelosi
Do you have days where you feel like you have been at your desk all day? Do you get to the end of your day and feel like you haven’t really accomplished much? That is not a good feeling, and when you start your day tomorrow you will feel like you are beginning the day already behind.
There are many people who decide to work from home and have a false impression of what it will be like. They thought it would be easy to work from home, and the truth is it’s not. It takes control, focus, and a clear plan to be able to have a productive work day from your home. No one decides to work from home to spend 80 hours working each week and still not see their kids.
Always remember to take breaks to help refresh your mind. Stick to a schedule, even if you plan to work all day in your pajamas! By breaking your work into smaller amounts of time, you are able to better keep your focus on specific tasks. Set an “end of the day”, a time when you are done ‘working’ for the day. Set a timer or cell phone alarm to remind you of this. Maybe designate breaks throughout the day, or even take an afternoon off to get your kids and yourself out of the house.
If you find you are having a hard time sticking to a weekly or daily routine, I suggest you get some assistance with your scheduling. Spend 30 minutes discussing with someone else what you need to accomplish each week. Think of it as a weekly coaching session to help you stay on track. Maybe even get an eBay buddy. Determine a schedule that sets out what you need to accomplish each day. It is important to maintain a balance between your family and your work – do not over extend yourself.
Get organized and stay on task.
Most people get their best ideas when they are not working. Ever have an idea while taking a shower, driving the car, or even just relaxing and watching tv? Write those ideas down right away, while it is still fresh in your mind. It is best to get them written down on paper, or as a note in your cell phone. Having a clear mind can lead to a productive day!
Most cell phones have a ‘notes’ feature, this is a great tool and is readily available. Start using it. This feature comes in especially handy when your pen and paper are out of reach. If you are like me you always have your cell phone with you. You probably have an email option on your phone also, so send the idea as an email to yourself!
The next day, or even later that day, when you sit down to work you can set up an organized plan to utilize your ideas. Whenever working on something, start by designating small tasks to have completed in alloted amounts of time. Maybe allow an hour or two for each task. Do your best to stick to your schedule and be careful you don’t over budget your time, other wise you will find it hard to get anything accomplished.
Work on each task, and take it one step at a time!
You may think that once a task is completed you will just rake in the sales. That is not always the case. Take your time and do it right. You can’t build a business over night. Many online businesses take years to get established, so be patient!
About the Author: Jenn Cangelosi has been selling on eBay for more than 10 years, earning both PowerSeller and Top Rated Seller status. The past year has found her spending time on Amazon as well, quickly becoming an expert at the ins and outs of this new marketplace. She is dedicated to helping others build thriving businesses by sharing her knowledge and expertise of buying and selling on eBay and Amazon. Learn more about about Jen at Boutique Bargains
