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The work-at-home lifestyle attracts many people because of the seeming simplicity and long list of perceived benefits. You don’t have a commute. You don’t have to punch a clock. You don’t have to sit for eight hours in a cubicle. You simply get to wake up, walk down the hallway, and get to work. Right?
This is what many people envision the work-at-home life to be. In reality, you have to possess some special qualities in order to be successful and make this type of transition work for you.
Self-Motivation
This is a must when beginning any entrepreneurial venture. When you work for yourself you need to be a self-starter and have the motivation to push yourself forward even when no one is telling you what to do.
You won’t have a boss looking over your shoulder keeping tabs on your projects. You have to make the effort to decide what needs to be done and create those deadlines for yourself. It helps to create a list of short-term and long-term goals so that you have an idea of where you are headed in your business. That way you keep yourself working towards something that is going to move your business forward. Need some help in the area of self-motivation? Grab my book bundle here for tons of great tips!
Organized
You have to have some sort of organizational skills in order to succeed at being a work-at-home mom. This can be a challenge especially if there are small children in the house. When life feels like it is constantly in disarray you won’t be as focused on the work you need to get done. Although your workspace doesn’t need to be perfect it is a good idea to have a dedicated space for files and other organizing tools. This helps boost productivity throughout the day as well. It also helps to have a place for everything and everything in its place. Take some time to personalize your space with inspirational art, some green plants, and plenty of light. Another idea is to place an essential oil diffuser next to your work area and fill with scented oils that are proven to boost focus. These include peppermint, rosemary, lemon, and cypress.
Flexible
This is especially true of the work-at-home mom. If you have small children in the home you must be willing to change up your schedule at the drop of a hat. Things come up that may mess with your hours and cause you to work late at night or super early in the morning. You must be willing to put in the time any time of day to make it work. If you go into the work-at-home venture knowing you need to be flexible with your schedule it will be much easier to adapt to this type of lifestyle.
These are three of many qualities that work-at-home moms should possess. Working from home isn’t nearly as simple as it’s thought to be. There is a ton of discipline, hard work, and sacrifice that goes into making each and everyday work. Not everyone is cut out for this type of life. You have to have a clear, concise idea of why you started this business and why you want this type of lifestyle. Once you understand your why it will be easier to focus on what it takes to succeed.
