Just a mama enjoying life with her family in sunny San Diego.
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{Totally dreaming of this today /via}
As most of you know I’ve recently picked up some freelance work. This is both exciting and exhausting but I’m having such a blast working with new clients and getting to know each of them. I currently have a part time job as a barista, I LOVE my job and cannot imagine not working there, I’ve been there for over a year and a half and have been given the privilege to basically pick the days and times I get to work. I love my job, seriously. I get to work the amount of hours I need all while having the freedom to accept freelance jobs. I’m extremely thankful for this.
Now that I got my new iMac last week I’ve been doing more work at home instead of the coffee shop. I’ve noticed somethings that really help me stay focused and get work done so I decided to share these tips with all of you.
What works for me:
» Painting my nails
I read an amazing post by Diana on this topic and now I want to continue painting my nails every week. I really CANT get work done unless my nails are painted. OHHHH I’m also super happy because now that I’m not in culinary anymore I can paint my nails any which way I please. It’s amazing. Last weekend I decided to test out Sephora’s OPI nail polish and got their “It’s a tire jack” all black polish. I.love.it.
» Background noise
Whether it’s netflix playing or music from my Pandora or iTunes it really helps me stay focused when it’s not dead silent in the room.
» Closing out Twitter/facebook/mail/feed reader
I spend the first hour or so browsing my feed reader, answering emails and talking my face off on Twitter + Facebook. After that I buckle down, close all of those applications and get to work. Knowing that I’ve given the “social butterfly” in me time to let itself out it gives me the satisfaction to start on my projects with a clear mind.
» A clean workspace
Aaron and I have a habit of dropping everything where it is once we enter the house. It’s a horrible habit but we’ve also started another nice habit of cleaning before we start work. We spend a good 10-15 minutes tidying up the bedroom and putting everything into place. I can’t express how important a clean workspace helps us stay focused.
» Breaks
When you’re working away on a project it’s hard to not get sucked into it. Often times I find it easier for me to concentrate when I take breaks. Today for instance, I was having a difficult time with an illustration, left to go get coffee at the shop and came back ready to start again. I found I no longer had any difficulty with that obstacle and I’m actually REALLY happy with the result! Also, don’t forget to take breaks to feed yourself. I totally forgot to eat today. Oops.
So here are just some tips that I’ve noticed help me. Is there anything that helps you get work done? Please share! I’d love to hear what helps you out 🙂
New reader here! Hello, love your blog <3
I do the same exact thing with checking, then banning myself from Facebook/Twitter/email/reader when I'm doing schoolwork. I find the opposite helps me in the background noise department, though. Which is weird because I never used to be able to focus without music way back in high school.
A clean workspace… absolutely!
? sécia
http://www.petiteinsanities.blogspot.com
I need to get out of the house regularly, too, otherwise I end up with the social skills of a gnat!
I’ve come across this picture before. It’s one of my favorites.
Great tips! I posted my tips on having a good craft day here : http://www.katesirrelevant.com/2011/07/how-to-have-good-craft-day.html
i completely agree with having painted nails!
awesome privilege!
those are really good tips! sometimes background noise really helps :)))
Sydsense
That’s a pretty sweet work scenerio! I too, have been nail crushing and it’s total “me” time. After I left the bakery in Reno, the first thing I did was paint my nails. I love it, I’ve been making photo tutorials…it’s getting out of control! I think having a clean/organized space and being able to walk-away and come back to your work are paramount. Great tips!
Sometimes I spend more time cleaning up my space than actually working. But it does help!
You got them all, but I also suggest getting dressed up and ready like you’re going to work at an appropriate time. Amazing how my work ethic changes when I wake up and shower and dress at 8am, rather than roll out of bed at 10 and work in my pj’s all day, ha!
That’s the way I go too, I wake up, make some coffee and read the shit out of all the blogs in my reader, blab on Twitter and Facebook, and get it all over with. Only then am I free to actually get to work.
This might sound silly, but I’m a total nut for my planner so I physically set work hours on my calendar! It helps to have that time scheduled so I can schedule personal things around it — that way nothing gets in the way of work time.
Hi Vanessa! Thanks for stopping by my blog and sharing the link of Darlingtonia Moccasins with me!
xx
I’m a little late to the game on this post but a big giant me too on the background noise! Even at work, which is where I am now, a too quiet office drives me insane and doesn’t let me concentrate, which is also the case at the moment. I just found your blog but I’m really enjoying it! Thanks for posting.