5 Unconventional Places to Scout for Web Work
If projects are running thin or you’re seeking to expand your project search, check out these 5 places you might not have considered before.
Top 30 Tips for Staying Productive While Working From Home
I found this older post from ZenHabits today. I find that while I love working from home, I do sometimes find it hard to stay productive. There are so many distractions, and no one looking over my shoulder making sure I am working!
While I was reading the post I was struck by how much of the advice related to working at home the way you would work in an office. Things such as setting a schedule, limiting the number of hours you work, and taking breaks are all things that happen naturally with most “away from home” jobs. I tend to either have trouble getting started and spend all day procrastinating, or I get so involved in my work I work 12 or 14 hours straight and forget to eat. Honestly, I’m not sure how productive I really am after 10 hours of working without eating!
While all 30 work from home tips were great the last tip was my favorite.
30. Be grateful you’re working from home and not in some cubicle! That gratitude will motivate you to work harder, so you can continue to work from home.
So click on over to ZenHabits to read the rest of the 30 work from home tips, and find even more great tips in the comments.
Would you like to share your best tips for staying productive while working from home? Comment with them here and I’ll put them all together in a WFH Pro post and give you credit!
Those of you who know the joys of working from home, whether you’re self-employed or freelancing or telecommuting, know also the joys of procrastination and the lures of laying on the couch. Now, I’m as much in favor of a good nap as the next guy, but a nap should be a break, not your default work mode….
Working From Home….In My Pajamas?
Thanks to a really old advertisement for I don’t remember what, a lot of people think that working from home means you can work wearing just your pajamas, or sweats, or …. nothing at all! ( Now that’s a scary thought!) In fact, being able to work in your pajamas is often mentioned as one of the benefits of working from home. That may be true for many people, but not for me. Even though I work from home, I find it important that I have my morning routine to get my day started. That means coffee, a shower, and getting dressed before I start work in my home office.
Now that doesn’t mean I get all dressed up in a suit and heels. My work wardrobe is definitely causal. Nice jeans and a sweater, or khakis and a blouse. I find that if I stay in my pajamas, it is hard to get into “work” mode. I am more likely to surf the net and play Freecell.
The other benefit to getting dressed every morning is when the “emergency” meeting comes up. When the boss needs you in the office right away, or that “special”client needs attention, it is nice to be able to just get up and go. Much better than trying to make excuses to buy more time so you can shower and find clean clothes to wear!
I also find it helps to fend off all those distractions that come from your neighbors. You know the ones. There is this belief that because you work at home you have plenty of free time to take care of their errands. Pick up their kids, accept a package, or whatever! If you come to the door dressed for work it is much easier for them to believe you when you say, “I’m sorry I can’t help you right now, I’m working.” How much credibility do you think you have when you are in your pajamas and your hair isn’t combed?
How about you? Do you find you work best in your pajamas? Or are do you prefer to dress for work?
Do You Have a Work From Home Story To Tell?
Do you have a work from home story to tell? If so, I would sure like to hear about it! Please send your funny, amazing, entertaining, or even serious story about the prides and pitfalls of working from home. I will post my favorites and provide a link back to your site.
Please send your submissions to admin at wfhpro dot com.
I look forward to hearing from you!
7 Tips for Business Etiquette on the Phone
As a work from home professional you probably do much of your business over the phone. Lynda Goldman gives advice on how to make a good impression with clients, bosses and co-workers in her article on telephone business etiquette.
Telephone Etiquette - 7 Tips for Business Etiquette on the Phone
By Lynda Goldman
Telephone etiquette is more important than ever. With voice message systems and email, it’s getting harder and harder to talk to a real person. So once you reach someone, you really want to connect and make a great impression.
1. Answer the phone, and call people back. You’ll make a great impression by being available, rather than hiding behind voice mail.
2. If you call someone and actually reach them, always ask if this is a good time to talk. If they sound rushed, ask when would be a good time to call back. There’s no point in trying to rush a conversation when both parties don’t have time to talk. You won’t accomplish what you set out to do.
3. If someone tells you they can’t talk now, ask them when would be a good time to call back. If they tell you to call the next day around 10 am, be sure to follow through. You’ll make a great impression by doing what you said you would do.
4. Make telephone appointments to discuss important issues, just as you make appointments to meet in person. Being in someone’s calendar for 10:30 am on Wednesday gives you almost as much importance as being there in person.
5. Prepare for your call in the same way you prepare for a personal meeting. Know the reason for your call, and jot down key points to discuss. Putting it in writing will help you stay focused, and lower your chances of getting sidetracked, or forgetting important items.
5. Stick to your point and keep it brief. If you are friendly with the person, it’s fine to ask how they’ve been, but monitor their voice. If they sound hurried, get to the point, or ask when would be a good time to call back.
7. Take notes. During the call, write down the relevant points you discussed. You’ll make a great impression by showing your attention to detail, and you’ll avoid having to call back to check on information you missed.
Do you know the biggest business image mistakes? Find out with these free reports:7 Business Casual Crimes and How to Solve Them, and 13 Foods that Can Sabotage a Business Meal, when you sign up for my Communication Capsules Ezine at: http://www.Impressforsuccess.com/signup.html
From Lynda Goldman, author of 30 books including How to Make a Million Dollar First Impression
Article Source: Lynda_Goldman
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