Self-Discipline

The hardest thing I've found about running my own business at home is self-discipline.  Unlike your traditional "job", you don't have a boss telling you what to do and setting deadlines, or telling you that you did a good job. You are the BOSS. You set the meetings, the deadlines, and there is no "annual review".  

At I first when I left the corporate world several months ago, it was easy to keep busy. And the busier I was, the more I seemed to get done.  Then after about a month I had caught up on backlogged projects and household things that needed my attention, and I hit a mental wall. I struggled for over a month and got really lazy with my time, even taking TV breaks during the day because I was mentally wandering and not sure what to focus on. I also struggled a little bit with losing my identity.  I was previously Heather the corporate executive and I took a lot of pride in my work and in the company I worked for. I was proud of my teammates and colleagues. And even though it was my choice, suddenly that role was gone! I then posted a video on my Facebook page and asked for friends to give me their best tips and got the swift kick in the pants I was looking for! This are the key things that they shared, which truth be told I of course already knew:

• Make a plan. You can't "wing it" or chances are you will fail. This includes making a TO DO LIST (more on this in a future post) and SCHEDULING everything that needs to get done. 
• Keep "business hours". Whether you are still working full time and doing your business on the side, or doing your business full time. Set hours which you will be working and people can contact you about your business.
• Ask for help. If you are struggling with motivation, talk to a friend, ask friends on social media for their best tips.  Sometimes talking to someone else can be a huge inspiration boost!
• Set small goals and big goals, and revisit them on a regular basis (once a week).
• Remind yourself of your WHY: why are you doing this? Connect to that why emotionally. Visualize the life that you want and go for it.
• Give yourself some "Me" time everyone once in a while - to watch TV, take a bath, do something mindless and unproductive. Everyone deserves a break but it should be once a week not every day.
• Realize that you are human. Everyone slips up sometimes. But it shows your true character when yourself back on track.