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Home Office Distractions and how I deal with them! NO!

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker DRE# 01921182

Working from my Home Office with so many distractions:  Where do I start!!??

  • Phone Call's from friends/Family/Co-Workers:  Although needed, wanted and desired, if you let it get out of hand, then it is costing you money!  Suggest "EMAILS" during your "HOT" time and schedule in those friendly chats when you are not trying to do business!  Remember, YOU NEED TO SET THAT TIME ASIDE!
  • Social Life: Once again, NEEDED, WANTED and DESIRED, A Must Have for most people!  Again, too much is going to affect your bank account in a negative way! The way I handle my Social Life is, I turn it into Night Life!  I have decided that with being a Realtor, I must become somewhat of a Vampire if I want to ever have fun!!  I am now "Mostly" planning my get togethers with friends in the evenings!  I try to set up appointments/dates in evenings and, so far, it is working for me!  Flexibility can be used, but modestly!  As in a hike in the morning/afternoon with friends. You cannot do everything at night! 
  • Kids, Grandkids, Animals:  All require your time!  This is where you explain to your family that when "Mommy/Daddy/Grandma/Grandpa is at the Computer and we have our earphones in, WE ARE WORKING! Good Luck with this one!  I can actually ignore most of what is going on around me after years of experience so, my family gets it.  (Even the Dog leaves me alone) Another Good Luck to you with making the animals understand.  :)
  • Housework:  I Hate It!  However, when it isn't done, it calls to me, in a whining type voice.  When you are at home, for some reason, you still feel obligated to keep up on your chores.  This one is really tough for me as I have a slight touch of OCD (makes for a better worker)!  What I do on days that I have too much Business to do and Housework has been neglected for a couple of days is simply this!  I clean up and make tidy my area where I will be spending most of my time! So, Upstairs living room/office is meeting grounds for everyone in the house and can get cluttered FAST!  I take 10 minutes to make my entire surroundings visually pleasing to me! Dust, Vacuum, Fluff the couch cushions, Bring up my favorite coffee cup and Ta-Da!!  In my mind, things are clean!  The next step, that I have already learned is, stay away from the rest of the house! 
  • Errands: It is just so funny to me that for some reason, just because my job allows me to be in my house, I am "Expected" to continue to do all of the errands such as Grocery Shopping, Meal Planning, Animals being taken care of, Taxi Driver, And at everyones Beck & Call!  NO! NO! NO! This is a Fun Word To Learn To Use!  Once you get going, It feels so good that it is almost hard to stop saying NO!! Remember, you have a "REAL" job.  And, usually, when you work from home, you put many more hours in then just an 8-hour day, 5-day a week job!  Start using this word RIGHT NOW!  JUST SAY NO!  Ah Yes, It Does Feel Good!!  Get your Family/Spouse to Help with these things! You Cannot do Everything and be successful.

My Routine is simple!  Ready for this??

First, My Smart Phone w/lot's of music! :)  I love just about every type of music!

Second, Headphones!!  (Great way to block out the entire world, get the "buzz" going and focus, focus, focus)!

Third, COFFEE!  Supposedly helps with concentration and, I agree.  Water is also very good as it keeps you hydrated!

Forth:  Visually Pleasing Work Area ONLY!!!

Fifth: CREATE THE BUZZ IN BUSINESS!!!