Singin� the Work at Home Blues? Jazz It Up With Feedback from These Successful WAH Stars�
Many of us who work from home know that it can have its pitfalls. That doesn�t mean we�re not grateful, or that we�re ready to throw in the towel, but this coach will be the first to say that life at home 24/7 doesn�t always rock. There are days that I find myself singin� the work at home �WAHhhh � blues!
So � I reached out to a group of successful WAH business owners with 4 quick questions. I hope you enjoy � and benefit from � a few words from the wise!
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Patti Dobrowolski
Chief, Strategy & Creative Design
Alchemy: The Art of Transforming Business
Follow Patti on twitter @pdobrowolski
Q � What is the greatest recurring work-at-home challenge you have encountered?
Patti�s Answer: Getting caught up in email and surfing on line when I need to be focusing on creating or delivering client work or developing new business
Q �� What solutions have been most effective in combating the challenge?
Patti�s Answer: I went to this 3 tiered system:
Focus Day: During this day, email gets checked 2 x a day and not first thing! You are working directly with clients.
Buffer Day: On this day you are preparing for your delivery days, you can also do business development, and return key emails
Rest Day:
Q �� What is the greatest work-at-home challenge you encountered during your first 6-months in business in your home office?
Patti�s Answer: What is the greatest work-at-home challenge you encountered during your first 6-months in business in your home office?
Making sure that I didn�t cut the grass and clean the house instead of focus in my office.
Q � What solutions were most effective in combating the challenge?
Patti�s Answer: Set and keep a schedule. I�m a list person, so I make a list for the day and check things off as I complete them. I understand now that I have a short attention span for deep projects to I do the HARD stuff first and the secondary stuff last. Since I am a competitive cyclist, I reward myself with the completion of my task list by going for a training ride!
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Ilene Segal
Founder | Creative Director
baby idesign
www.babyidesign.com
ILene�s Answer: Isolation. It was a big adjustment going from an office filled with people, some of whom were my closest friends, to being in a small NYC apartment alone, all day long. Six years later and its still a challenge.
Q �� What solutions have been most effective in combating the challenge?
ILene�s Answer: The good news is that when you�re alone all day, your anxious to get out at night. I love to go for a run after work, go to the gym and/or socialize with friends in an effort to have human contact. Unlike most people who are tired after work and just want to go home, I�ve actually taken this opportunity to get in shape and be more social.
Q � What is the greatest work-at-home challenge you encountered during your first 6-months in business in your home office?
ILene�s Answer: While it may sound silly, maintaining my sense of style. I went from a glammy job where I wore great clothes and accessories every day, to being alone in the apt, where it’s easy to fall into the pitfalls of no make up and pajamas daily.
Q � What solutions were most effective in combating the challenge?
ILene�s Answer:I remember when I first started my business, every person would say to me �oh you�re so lucky, you can work in your pajamas all day.� I hated that. I believe in the look good, feel good theory. And I do not believe in wearing sweatpants just because I work from home. I have coined my new style as �comfortable chic!� I�ve even implemented dress up day where every Wednesday my assistant and I dress up in either a skirt or dress. Even if I�m in the apartment all day, I feel good and more productive in a dress. You learn to be creative for inspiration when you�re alone a lot of the day.
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Brad Shorr
Founder of the award-winning blog, Word Sell, IncQ � What is the greatest recurring work-at-home challenge you have encountered?
Brad�s Answer: Working in a vacuum. Like Gregory House on the TV program �House�, I need to bounce ideas around with people to be at my creative best.
Q �� What solutions have been most effective in combating the challenge?
Brad�s Answer: I look everywhere for opportunities to collaborate, and continue cultivating relationships with people I�ve worked with in the past.
Q � What is the greatest work-at-home challenge you encountered during your first 6-months in business in your home office?
Brad�s Answer: Deciding whether to go whole hog in one direction or try a variety of business models all at the same time. I�d go back and forth between one approach and the other, which pretty much guaranteed nothing would work.
Q � What solutions were most effective in combating the challenge?
Brad�s Answer: First, I gave myself permission to stumble. Then, I sought out help and input from people I knew, trusted, and had been successful in ways that I wanted to excel. Finally, I learned to be patient. Business plans need time to ripen.
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Want to join the work at home movement? Here�s your invite. Get some home business tips, resources &�some occasional booty kicking�just saying:) You In?
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