Blogging from home can be very rewarding, but it can also be frustrating if you aren’t able to be time efficient. If it takes you two hours to do something you could do in one hour, you may need an “efficiency overhaul” on your blogging technique. Here are ten ways to be more productive when you work on your blog at home.
1. Make A To-Do List For Each Day
You need to know what you’re doing each day, and you need to divide your work load up into manageable chunks that can be done in a day’s time. Clearly defining what you’re working on today and what you will work on tomorrow will help you to be able to tackle your projects without getting overwhelmed or frustrated. If you just sit down each day without a defined set of tasks, not only are you not optimizing your time, you’re also going to work until you’re exhausted. Set up your to-do list for each day and when you’re done with that list, you’re done for the day.
2. Take Planned Breaks Away From The Screen
Sure, you know you need to take breaks from your blogging. But your “break” shouldn’t be getting on Facebook. You need to actually get off the computer and go do something else during your break time – even if it’s just getting a cup of coffee, watching a television show during lunch or going outside for ten minutes. Don’t spend your break time shopping online or doing anything else on the computer. This will help you to be more efficient while you are on the computer, doing your work.
3. Set Up A Dedicated Work Space In Your Home
You can’t blog in front of the television. It’s going to be impossible to focus. You need to set up an area in your home that is dedicated to your work, and an area in which only work takes place. After a few days, you’ll notice that as soon as you sit down in your work area, your brain is automatically gearing up for – you guessed it – work. When your brain is in this mode, it’s easier to complete your tasks and you’ll notice that you also get them done a lot faster.
4. Set Up A Specified Time That You Will Be Working
Working throughout the day here and there will definitely not allow you to maximize your time. You’ll wonder why it’s taking you so long just to get a few things done, but the reality is, that you’re not spending all of that time working. You’re doing other things too, and before you know it, you’ll be three hours down and wonder why you only got one thing on your list finished. Set up a time that you will be blogging, from X time to X time, and stick to it.
5. Make Sure Family Members Know When Your “Work Time” Is
Because you’re blogging from home, your family likely thinks you’re available whenever. This can lead to a vicious cycle of doing other things when you should be working, and feeling like you’re working all the time, because your work is never done. Set a reasonable time that you will be unavailable, and make sure your family knows when that is. You’ll be surprised at just how much you can get done in that specific block of time.
6. Get Rid Of The Clutter
It’s almost impossible to work in an area that has stuff everywhere. If you have coffee cups, papers, bills, pens and everything else scattered across your desk, your brain is automatically going to become disorganized. Clean up, and it automatically lets your brain know, “Hey, it’s time to organize and get busy.” Spend a few minutes at the beginning of your work time each day just cleaning up and organizing, so when you sit down, you’re already ahead of the game.
7. “Clock Out” At The End Of Your Work Time
If you’re working on your blog all day and never cut yourself off, you’re going to burn out fast. You may be tempted to just go back and check stats really quick, or to write a fastblog post because you have a fresh idea. Forget it! Write down your idea, or check your stats tomorrow. When you are done for the day, make sure you’re done! Close the laptop and go do something else. If you’re always “working,”
