Working from home has unique challenges. This presentation provided suggestions on how to manage your time, increase productivity, and protect yourself from burnout - or the opposite, lack of productive work.

1. November 11 & 12, 2013
Julie Kittredge
Business Services Advisor

2. You are your own boss!
You can …
 call the shots
 have a flexible work
schedule
 work around other
responsibilities
 follow your dreams
 save money
But …

3. But …
 You wonder where the time




went at the end of the day
Your to do list looks the
same as it did yesterday
You’re spending too much
time on social media
You’re operating on a day to
day basis without a plan
Working from home is
starting to feel
unproductive and around
the clock.
A little planning can help

4. Determine your best work times
 Create set business hours.
 Is your house quiet between 10 -1? That is your work time.
 Is it evenings between 8pm – 11pm?
 Is it early mornings 5am – 7am?
 Pick your time. Stick to it. Protect it.
 At the end of the day, put the work away.
 Don’t fall into the trap of working more hours than you would at
a regular job (exception: start-up mode)
 Realistically, productive hours are about 4-5 per day.
During those hours, sit and work. Show Up.

5. Get Organized
 Schedule everything!!
 Laundry
 Meals
 Grocery shopping
 Email times, social media times
 Marketing day, Finance Day, Bank/Post office day
 Set aside one morning for social media/marketing
tasks. Hootsuite
 Dedicate one morning per week to stay on top of
finances. Quickbooks

7. Productivity Tools
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The secret to productivity: Don’t do so much.
We tend to think we can accomplish so much more than is realistic.
Multitasking is not productive work.
Plan for your morning, then your afternoon.
Respond to emails and messages quickly. (Schedule your email
time)
 Use voicemail to screen calls.
 Don’t let the urgent take over the important.
 Apps for blocking out the internet on your computer
 Anti-social $15
 Leechblock – Free Firefox addon
 Freedom $10

8. Planning ahead
 Set goals for your business.
 What five things need to be accomplished in the next
 Three months?
 What is the first step, and then the next step.
 Have a marketing or editorial plan
 This is your guide to what you need to be working on.
 Don’t let inspiration take you on a rabbit trail
 Avoid getting overwhelmed or distracted.

9. November 2013
~ November 2013 ~
◄ Oct 2013
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Dec 2013 ►
Thu
Fri
1
Sat
2
Story:
Event:
Give a glimpse into my fall Smith Family Session
photo walk and some
personal reflections during
that time.
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
15
16
Story:
Share the story of the
special settings I used to
capture my daughter
during a special moment
Event:
Last Session opening
22
23
29
30
Teaser:
Working on a fun new
offering (photography
workshop)
10
11
12
Teaser:
Blog a peek of the new
nature photo calendars –
see what’s coming soon!
17
18
13
19
20
Event:
List new photo calendars
in the shop
24
25
14
Announcement:
Blog complete Smith
Family Session
Include announcement
about Saturday session
availability
21
Story:
Share holiday photo tips
for capturing the story of
thanksgiving
26
Announcement:
Email monthly newsletter
highlighting new listings in
the shop along with the
Black Friday coupon code
*highlight new calendars!
And new December photo
workshop!**
27
28
Happy
Thanksgiving!
Event:
Event:
Black Friday
Small Business Saturday
Social Media reminder of
Special coupon code
coupon code
celebrating the support
of small businesses
More Calendars from WinCalendar: December, January, February
Plug in each step into your marketing calendar
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
Blue = Marketing Event
Green = Announcements
Peach = A teaser
Pink = the story behind your product or service
Inspired by:
http://makezine.com/craft/crafting_your_online_presence_3/

10. Create Routines or Rituals
 It’s mental programming
for getting in the groove.
 Your brain will sense it’s
time to get into work
mode
 For example:
Work hours 9-2
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Get the kids off to school
Turn on classical music
Get your cup of tea
Sit to do the tasks you’ve
planned ahead for the day

11. TIP:: Do not check email first!
 “Checking Email” sets you up for the endless cycle of
internet cyber space
 Spend the first hour accomplishing the first most
important thing on your list. This will create momentum
for the rest of your day AND it will give you a sense of
productivity – if nothing else is accomplished for the rest of
the day – you will have accomplished this one most
important thing.
 Fun article about what successful people do during the first
hour of their workday here.

12. Just SHOW UP
 Half the battle is
gluing your butt to
the chair and
beginning.
 Set a timer for 30
minutes, and just
begin one thing.
 When you show up, 9
times out of 10 you
will create something.

13. Reward Hard Work
 You’ve set the timer. You
worked two hours.
 You’ve earned a break.
Take a breather. Eat
lunch.
 Reward yourself 10
minutes of _______.
 Go for a walk
 Get a cup of tea
Then get back at it.
Set the timer again.

14. Beat Isolation
 Stay connected and professional
 Join local organizations or networking groups
 Chamber of commerce
 Organize a coffee day with other local business owners for
networking
 Meetup.com
 Library programs

15. Take work away from the house
 Way too many
distractions at home.
Head out for the first or
second half of your day
 Good for desk work
 Email
 Writing a newsletter
 Brainstorming goals
 Schedule an out of the
house work morning @
 The library
 A Coffee shop
 A Bookstore

16. Avoid burnout – you cannot do it ALL.
 Develop a niche. You don’t have to service every inquiry that
comes you way. Who do you REALLY want to serve?
 Good book on the subject Worth Every Penny, by Sara Petty and
Erin Verbeck
 Stay true to your business vision and your priorities.
 Say No: You’ll have to say no to some activities in order to make
time for your business.
 Schedule time with your spouse or significant other.
 Schedule time to take care of you.

17. Take Care of YOU
 Determine your daily non-negotables.
 Exercise: It increases your energy and mental clarity
 Eat healthfully: be intentional about your lunch – avoid
snacking or skipping meals
 Schedule once a month lunch with friends
 Attend inspiring workshops and conferences
 Pursue ongoing learning:
 Learn4Life (for AH cardholders only)
 Ed2Go (for everyone else)

18. Last thing of the day
Write down 6 things you must accomplish the next day.

19. Recommended Reads
The War of Art : on overcoming resistance
Working from Home: earn a living where you live
6 Tips : work/life Balance for people with big dreams
Very Wise Words: 10 Productivity Tips