How do you motivate yourself while working from home?
In May of 2014, my wife quit her job as a data analyst at Digitas to pursue her passion for hand-lettering full time. She works at home now, creating custom commissioned pieces for clients, running a successful Etsy store, and exploring her own art style. She and a lot of self-employed folks struggle with time management and motivation though. Leaving a traditional employment situation takes away a lot of externally-imposed structure, schedule, and routine. It's really hard to impose those things on yourself! Everyone has different ways of getting themselves going and keeping themselves on track every day while working from home. What are yours?
By the way, she just finished a 365 project where she letters something new every single day for a year. Yeah she's a beast. https://instagram.com/byjoanneshih/
For me, it's all about the environment. I am a freelance editor and so more than not, I work for home.
These are some things that have helped me:
Set a work schedule. It doesn't have to be fixed. That's the nice thing about working from home. But it's helpful to block out time, at least the night before, of when you plan on working each day.
Set milestones. For me, if I have goals I want to accomplish by certain dates, that helps me.
3). Work in a place where you won't be disturbed. This can be the hardest part about working from home. When people distract you, it's hard to get work done.
And your wife's work is incredible.