My name is Neville, and I’ve never had a job.
This means my entire working career there’s been no office to show up at everyday.
There’s no such thing as “vacation days” or “sick days”.
There’s nothing I can do to get fired!
I can work from home, a coffee shop, a co-working space, my own office space, my bed, the couch, the pool, or fly across the world and work from there.
To someone who’s worked an office job their whole life this sounds pretty amazing. But like everything in life, it has it’s Yin’s and Yangs….good’s and bad’s….pro’s and con’s.
Working from home is great in some ways: PRO’S
- Can wake up anytime you want.
- Can go on vacation anywhere for any length of time.
- Can do stuff during weird hours. Going to WalMart at 5pm is a nightmare….but going at 10:30am on a Tuesday is great!
- Can do fun stuff during weird hours (like go wakeboarding on the lake at 10am on a Tuesday when the lake is smooth and no other boats are out), and then do work stuff at night.
Working from home can also suck in some ways: CON’S
- People miss the social element of an office.
- No accountability and people telling you what to do.
- It can get lonely.
- Sometimes kinda boring.
So for someone who’s been at it his whole life, here’s some of the tools you can use to successfully work from home. This list comprises of the things I’ve invested in that’ve massively increased my work output consistently over the years.
1.) Wear ear plugs:
I love working with ear plugs on. It’s like “my own little space.” Whether at home, in a coffee shop, a co-working space……ear plugs drown out just enough noise to let me write in peace wherever I am. However they still let sound through enough to hear your phone ring, people talking to you etc. I’ve been raving about ear plugs forever.
I’ve been through a lot of brands of ear plugs, and the only one’s I can stand to have in my ear for long periods of time are Hearos.
I’m not sure why they’re different than others, but all I know is they block out sound really well, and they’re super comfortable.
A pack of 14 pairs will run you like 5 bucks.
I think ear plugs might be the highest ROI (return on investment) product I’ve ever bought! They are especially helpful when writing. Since I have to write a lot, the ear plugs seem to keep the focus “in my head” for a lot longer than not using them.
I’m an easily distracted fellow, so cancelling out all auditory distractions is super helpful.
2.) Have a good pair of headphones that allows hands-free calling:
Over the ear. On the ear. Wired. Wireless…..I don’t care. Whatever your preference is. Just make sure you have a reliable set of good headphones you can wear for long periods of time that also allows hands-free calling.
This means it’ll have that little volume dongle that also has a microphone in it so you can take calls.
You’ll be using these for phone calls, and also for Skype and Google Hangout video calls. Honestly the standard headphones that come with any iPhone are pretty dang good in all respects, so you don’t need to spend a lot of money on headphones.
I personally prefer the standard Bose in-ear headphones. They’re compact, they’re extremely comfortable, they fit in my pocket, and I can use them for other things like running and the gym. For some reason the design of the Bose in-ear silicon thingy is the most comfortable I’ve ever used. I can leave them in all day without a single tinge of pain on my ears:
I also have the large over-the-ear Bose headphones, but they’re so damn big I can’t possibly take them everywhere! They take up a ton of space in my backpack when traveling and also require batteries. So over the years I’ve transitioned 100% to a nice pair of in-ear headphones and love it.
3.) Use “Self Control App” to block distracting websites:
This is a handy little program from Mac computers called Self Control that completely nukes certain websites on your computer for a set amount of time. For example, I’ll set it to completely block my top-most distracting websites for a certain period of time to get work done:
You can also set it to only allow certain websites to be access for productivity purposes (Like Outlook.com or Gmail.com).
This app has saved me TONS of time when I’m feeling super lazy and start slacking off. By simply restricting my access to websites like Reddit or Digg, I’m pretty much forced to do work.
4.) Install “News Feed Eradicator” Chrome Extension:
I use Facebook for my business a good amount…..but the damn thing is so addicting and distracting. ESPECIALLY the newsfeed (which is precisely designed to get you hooked in and scroll through Facebook). Because of this, I may go on Facebook to answer one little message, and then 30 minutes later I’m stalking friends-of-friends!
To combat this distraction, just install the “Eradicate Newsfeed” extension for Chrome to block the Newsfeed, yet still use Facebook.
This thing is a lifesaver. It only prevents the Newsfeed from popping up, but allows all the other functionality of Facebook.
If you want to re-claim some of your time, this is one of the best ways to do it. I’ve had people tell me of any tip I’ve EVER given them, this Newsfeed Eradicator was the most useful thing.
5.) Have a big brainstorming surface (Either a whiteboard, chalkboard, mirror, or window):
Being able to write things out on a giant white board is extremely helpful. It’s also really helpful if you have a friend or colleague over and you’re trying to explain an idea to them.
Having access to a big ole white board is always great. However you don’t ONLY need a white board. It can be any large surface you can write on with a dry-erase marker. Mirrors and windows make great dry-erase surfaces also. I routinely use a big mirror in my living room to scribble on:
6.) Have basic office supplies ready:
This includes tape, paper, stapler, pens, markers, and a printer. Yes….a printer.
The reason I say stock up on stuff like this is because when you ACTUALLY NEED THESE THINGS and you don’t have them, it wastes an exponentially large amount of time.
You know how much time I’ve spent fastening together random sheets of paper because I didn’t have staples in my stapler? Or how hard it is to print something out if you don’t have a goddamn printer? It’s so so so so much easier to spend $50 in advance and knock out all the office supplies you’ll need.
Here’s my little desktop-stash of office supplies, always within reach:
7.) Have fun toys laying around!
Working hard and earning good money isn’t about trying to just work all day….it’s about working hard so you can have a great life. Life is better when you can sprinkle in a little fun into anything you do!
I have guitars all over the place.
I’ve got a piano.
I’ve got a 3D printer to play with.
I’ve got a hoverboard thingy to lazily roll around on.
You’re the goddamn CEO of You Inc……bring as many toys to work as you want :)
Whenever I take a break to jam on an instrument or good around, I usually get the best ideas. There’s something about putting your brain into a playful state that helps you get a lot of creative work done.
8.) Have a “3rd Place” where everybody knows your name:
This is a concept I stole directly from Jordan Harbinger from (here’s the episode about the 3rd Place).
A “3rd Place” is someplace that’s not your house or office…..it can be a regular coffeeshop where you know a lot of people. I think my 3rd Place would be WeWork. I love going there, I know enough people to strike up a conversation whenever needed, it has lots of cool nooks/crannies where I can work in a non-traditional format. Rain or shine, weekday or weekend, holidays etc….I can always go there.
Some people’s 3rd place is a pub.
Some people’s 3rd place is a park.
Some people’s 3rd place is a restaurant.
Some people’s 3rd place is a friends place.
9.) Keep relevant books for inspiration:
If you’re a designer, have a bunch of books about design.
If you’re a copywriter, have a bunch of books about copywriting.
If you’re a programmer, have a bunch of books about programming.
Whenever you’re stuck, or need some inspiration, you can always bumble through your stack of books and get some great ideas.
I have a separate “Reading Room” in my place where I keep an assortment of copywriting & marketing books.
10.) Have a sitting AND standing desk:
Sitting all day is not the optimal work position. However…..standing all day is not the optimal work position either.
The optimal position for optimal work is BOTH sitting and standing.
Every single person I know who went to an all-standing desk goes back to sitting in less than 3 months. Sometimes standing is not the optimal comfortable position.
The desks that are most badass allow you to sit AND stand.
I personally have been using a HumanScale Float Desk for about 3 years now. This thing is a BEAST. It uses no electricity, it’s freakin huge (6 feet wide), it’s extremely simplistic, and it works via an internal counterbalance that allows you to move the desk up-and-down with one hand with up to 165 lbs on it.
If you’re going to be at a desk allllll day long, you may as well be comfortable….and sometimes being comfortable means sitting, and sometimes it means standing.
When I bought this desk it cost near $2,000. I asked my mom before buying it if I was crazy for spending $2,000 on a desk. She said, “No! At my job they would spend $6,000+ on each workstation so people would be comfortable and work more.”
Suddenly $2,000 didn’t seem so bad, as I use this thing every single day for multiple hours.
I’ve noticed a lot of copycat desks like the HumanScale Float which are faaaarrr cheaper than the $2,000 I paid. You can Google “Sitting Standing Desk” or “Adjustable Height Desk” and find a variety of them.
I would highly recommend setting up your home office environment up in a way that’s conducive to your particular line of work. While I think most jobs nowadays can be done with a laptop and a simple kitchen table, it’s much better to have a proper workspace.
If you’re a programmer or designer, perhaps you’ll have a workspace with multiple large monitors. If you’re an architect perhaps you’ll even have an old-school drafting table near your computer desk. Whatever your job is…..take some time to make a nice, tidy, comfortable, and functional home workspace. A huge part of this setup will be your desk, so chose wisely!
11.) Lighting behind your desk for video calls:
If you work from home quite a bit, my guess is you take a decent amount of video calls. For this reason it’s important to have lights BEHIND your desk that brighten your face & surroundings.
If you already have great lighting in your home office then you probably don’t need these lights, however most people’s home office will not have ideal lighting. This means when you get on a video call it looks extremely unprofessional and just plain hard to see. This is where having a set of lights behind your desk comes to the rescue:
I have a set of 3 lights behind my desk from Wistia’s Cheap Lighting Kit guide. The whole set of lights cost less than $100, and have really improved the quality of my video calls. They are setup to a remote so I can click a button and all three come on at the same time.
This way whenever I hop on a Google Hangout or Skype call, I just press a button and it brightens up the picture!
The difference is easily noticeable. Here’s the LIGHTS OFF and LIGHTS ON pics from my 27″ iMac stock webcam:
Desk lights off:
Desk lights on:
The picture with the lights on is far more easy to see. Even with the bright sun shining through blinds of the window, with these lights I can still be seen. #brownpersonproblems
12.) Keep a bunch of Sticky Notes around:
You know what they’re for. They’re so useful. You can never have enough.
13.) Throw “co-working parties”:
It’s important to actively seek out others to work with, bounce ideas off, and just hang out socially. You can do this by holding a casual “co-working party” every once in a while.
I used to hold “Morning Pool Writing Sessions.” I would just send out a small Facebook Event invite to a few friends I knew would show up, we’d go to the pool downstairs with laptops, grab some coffee, and work from IN the pool!
Fortunately these chairs hover your butt like 2 inches above the water so you don’t get wet.
Here’s Me, Noah Kagan, and Ryan Holiday chilling in the pool at 8am on a cold day. I call this:
“Morning Pool Writing Sessions: Hoodie Edition”
Here’s another co-working party, but this time at a rock climbing gym. I sent out an invite for a random Wednesday for people to meet at the Austin Rock Gym and bring their laptops. It was nice combination of getting some work done, friends meeting friends, and rock climbing.
“Rock Climbing, Horsing Around, and Co-Working”
These co-working parties are super cheap (maybe just buy some chips, salsa, water) and fun to throw. It also brings out people who you may not know want a buddy to co-work with.
Have a co-working party at your home, at a coffee shop, at a work space, or even an unusual venue. Just send out a quick Facebook invite to your friends and you’re done!
14.) Work from a coffee shop (pro’s and con’s):
I used to be a total coffeeshop hound. It was always a fun experience working form a coffee, kind of a like a little “field trip” from work!
PRO’S of coffee shop working:
- If you’ve been cooped up at home for a long period of time and have no where else to work, a coffee shop is always a welcome change of scenery.
- You serendipitously bump into people you know, or make new friends.
- Since there’s other people around and you specifically went there to get work done, you’re less likely to sit around and goof off.
- The distractions can also serve as a creative outlet. Sometimes being outside of your normal environment drums up great new ideas. I’ve had lots of great emails and pieces of content I’ve written from coffee shops.
However there’s some serious drawbacks to consistently working from coffee shops:
CON’S of coffee shop working:
- It’s actually pretty expensive. I would routinely spent upwards of $20 or $30 working from a coffee shop. Getting 2 drinks, a sandwich and a cookie will easily ring up a $20+ tab!
- The amount of distractions are through the roof: People coming in-and-out, jockeying for a place to sit, finding out where you can plugin your laptop, loud people talking etc.
- Shitty internet is a common thing. I’d say when working from a coffee shop that 25% of my time is spent fiddling with the damn internet. It works sometimes, then cuts off. Sometimes it flat out doesn’t work at all. Sometimes it’s super slow. Generally without internet you can’t do much, sooooo what was the point of coming to the coffee shop then?
- Just trying to go pee is a major life decision of leaving all your stuff unattended and asking a stranger to watch your stuff.
- Taking calls or video calls is unprofessional looking and difficult. Slow internet, background noise etc really prevent you from doing any sort of proper video calling.
- Driving, parking, figuring out which coffee shop is open….it’s all a big time suck and distraction.
I’ve gotta say in the past 10+ years I’ve got a TREMENDOUS amount of work done at coffee shops, but the experience of coffee shop working is always inconsistent and riddled with distracting variables.
I’d say I’ve got FAR MORE WORK DONE at various co-working spaces.
This brings me to the next tip for working from home…….
15.) Join a Co-Working space:
I personally love co-working spaces. The very first co-working house in the U.S. was started by my friends right here in Austin, and now the co-working concept has massively exploded into every city.
My personal all-time favorite co-working space is WeWork. Honestly I’m not even sure if there’s a single competitor who has done co-working as well as WeWork.
It’s a co-working space with offices alllll around the world. I obviously go to the one in Austin, but also New York and San Francisco when I’m there. It’s SUPER CONVENIENT to have a proper place to get work done besides a janky coffee shop.
It’s got all the things you need to get some serious work done: Conference rooms, coffee, water, beer, restrooms, safe to leave stuff around, 24 hour access, power outlets, printers, office supplies, fast and reliable internet, and great locations.
I used to associate “co-working spaces” with just a bunch of semi-un-employed freelancers, but WeWork is a legit collection of real businesses, freelancers, lawyers, accountants, big companies etc all bundled into one great space.
There’s developers/freelancers/designers/lawyers that use the huge WeWork network to drum up all their clientele.
I probably get the MOST AMOUNT OF WORK DONE at WeWork compared to any other single location. There’s something about the way it’s setup, the people there, and the amenities that make it a great spot to get hours and hours of work done.
I particularly like that at one WeWork working session I may sit at my desk, use a little “phone booth room” for an hour, setup in a conference room for a while, take a break on the balcony, go to the little yoga room and do some pushups and handstands, grab a cold brew coffee, grab a snack, chat with some friends. It’s like having a full-on tech office experience without actually having a job (or having to hone my workplace communication skills) :-P
Ever since getting a WeWork membership I no longer enjoy going to coffee shops to work. There’s too many variables, shitty internet, and distractions to deal with compared to WeWork.
So if you’re looking for a great spot that can be your own “3rd Place”, a nice getaway from home, and a place to socialize yet get work done, I’d super-highly recommend a nearby co-working space if you have one!
16.) Have a nearby caffeine source:
Most people like a bit of caffeine, so instead of having to hunt it down every morning from a store or restaurant, it’s nice to have it handy.
This means keeping some coffee or tea at home.
In my apartment complex we have a free coffee station thingy, and it’s a morning ritual of mine to go downstairs and make the coffee-robot brew me up some fresh black coffee or a cappuccino:
I try my best to avoid putting too much milk and other crap in there. The goal is to get pure caffeine into your system, not shit-loads of sugar that will crash you within an hour.
If you wanna get totally buzzed, try drinking between 200mg and 400mg of caffeine on an empty stomach before noon! It’s safe for healthy adults, and if you cut yourself off by noon it shouldn’t interfere with your sleep.
You know that actually sounds pretty good, think I’ll grab a cup right now :)
Example weekly schedule of working at home:
Every day and week is different of course, but here’s a rough sampling of how a week will go (keep in mind my entire life is within 4 square blocks Downtown, so transitioning from place-to-place requires only a quick walk):
- Monday: Writing day. Work from home in the morning. Take a few calls. Around 1pm head to co-working space and write. 5pm go to gym. Dinner with friends.
- Tuesday: Consults day. Home all day taking calls. Do work in-between. Catch late lunch with a friend. Work or goof off till night.
- Wednesday: Writing day. Go to WeWork early in morning. Work until tired. Around 2pm head back home. Workout. Work some more from home.
- Thursday: Consults day. Home all day taking calls. Do work in-between.
- Friday: Writing day. Will either go work with a friend, to a co-working spot.
- Saturday: Sometimes will do a “Smart Saturday” where all day long will get work done.
- Sunday: Typically get 2+ hours of work in if no other plans.
17.) Getting a Work From Home Job:
All of this information assumes you already have a work from home job…..but what if you don’t?
If your company doesn’t allow it, maybe you can try this script with your boss:
If you want to do your job from home, then you have to convince your boss and your company it will benefit THEM…..not just you! That is the key.
The above script makes sure it shows that if you do your job from home, the company will benefit from it.
Hope this example and all these tips helps you better work from home!
Join the email list and download this whole Working From Home post for your files:
Sincerely,
Neville Medhora – Writing this from home
Reallu interesting article to read! I’m also in the copywriting business and work from home regularly. You just are in another flow when you work from home and it could help in the creative process.
Nicely written and very helpful :)
I agree completely about the caffeine source and the pros and cons of working at a coffee shop.
Working from home is a luxury. But as dreamy as it sounds, working from home doesn’t come easy. Thanks for the insights.
So I love all these ideas.
I have one question. What advice would you give to folks who are work-at-home-parents?
You know maybe homeschooling parents, or parents with little kids not in school?
Neville, I absolutely love this post! It was so helpful! I’m an entrepreneur who was a regular 9to5-er until fairly recently, so making the switch to working for myself and from home has been kinda rough because I’m also horribly ADD and being on social media for work destroys my productivity. I literally got that chrome extension for newsfeed eradicator as soon as I read it in the blog — so far so good! :) By the way, I love your writing style – very engaging.
Thanks for the post, Neville. I started my own company just over two months ago and its just me at the moment working from home. I have a breakfast bar that I use as my desk so I can sit on a bar stool or stand or I work from my couch. Its nice to change it up every couple of hours.
I also swear by Brain.FM which I got via a deal at Appsumo…very effective for concentrating for long periods of time with some good noise cancelling headphones on.
Congrats on the new businsess Daniel!
Make sure to get out of the house and work with others (preferably in your same industry) every once in a while. It will definitely help you get more creative.
Best of luck on your new endeavor :)
GOLDEN RULE:
If work from home, avoid staying all day home.
Take a 15 minute sun bath. Go out even to buy something you don’t need at that time, could be water.
You must go out to free your mind.
Also, meditate.
Thanks for sharing Salomón! I agree with all of these recommendations :)
Nev, are all those guitars in the first guitar picture yours? Either way I’m half nerdgasming and surprised at the collection. Seem to be an EVH fan! Some fast action Charvels too.
I’m not sure if I can see the pedal but I think from a creativity standpoint, you might really enjoy a looper pedal. I can see the picture of the acoustic and amp and small red pedal and think it could be the same as the boss loop pedal I have. Makes impromptu guitaring much more enjoyable.
As of writing this, “This Book Will Teach You…” has just arrived. YEEEEH.
Hey Andrew, yup all the guitars are mine (not pictured: One ukulele in the closet and one Martin Backpacker half-guitar in the trunk of my car).
The guitar list is as follows:
1.) Alvarez black/white electric (model ?).
2.) Bass guitar (some cheap no-brand model I bought off eBay around 10th grade).
3.) 1 Lyon acoustic guitar I bought from Target during a Black Friday sale (It’s actually been a shockingly good guitar for the price).
4.) 1 Martin Acoustic (this one is my favorite, it’s a joy to play and sounds fantastic).
I do also have a Boss Loop Station pedal I hook up to the amp and play. Looping is actually how I originally learned my scales a few years back!
http://www.nevblog.com/pretending-i-know-how-to-play-the-bass/
-and-
http://www.nevblog.com/playing-with-big-amps/
There’s also a microphone and stand hooked up to the amp. I turn up the reverb high so it drowns out all the voice imperfections :)
The piano is a Roland F20 (Full 88 keys and weighted) I keep in the bedroom.
Hope this clarifies the whole instrument setup!
What an awesome article (love the images too)! It really seems like you’re enjoying your work from home lifestyle! Regarding the eleventh tip, I think good lighting is really important not only for video calls but also for the overall atmosphere which can have a great impact on your focus and productivity!
Very glad you liked…..I definitely agree lighting plays a big part in productivity. I have several of the lights in my home linked up to a remote that sits on my desk. Whatever the mood calls for, I can immediately create by pushing a button :)
Always great ideas from you, Neville!
The responses here have reminded me of all the really good parts of being really hard of hearing. I can actually remove the sound. I also do focus and concentration pretty naturally, because it takes that to hear stuff, so it’s wired-in for use all the time.
I use lists all the time, however I also like to do an end of the workday routine where I create the List and Then put the files and/or paperwork and/or notebooks in a pile, in order of priority, on my desk next to my computer. So when I look at the list I can immediately go to item #1 while I’m putting my cup of coffee on the opposite side of my computer.
So it’s like you have built-in ear plugs :)
I definitely see how the reduction of outside sounds frees the brain up for processing (and focusing) on other things.
Great you’re using lists, they definitely help structure the day. I use them all the time to, like this:
http://www.nevblog.com/to-do-list-how-to/
As usual, a pleasure to read you.
If you like cats, it could be very helpful to have them around when you have to deal with a stress. The purring therapy has no equivalent and it is free :)
I try to make at least one break (15/30min) for a 4 hours’ shift.
Very cool get stress relief from the cats. Some people do meditation, some people do medication, some people use cats :-P
Nice list.
Instead of earplugs (which I love to use too), I usually turn on a white noise app from my iphone. It keeps my earbuds in place in case I want to switch to phone calls on the fly, instead of pulling out earplugs, plugging in earbuds, putting them into the ears, and then taking the call.
Oh nice….I’ve used a few of those in the past.
I still prefer ear plugs, but sites like http://coffitivity.com are good for errant background noise. Thanks for sharing Kenny!
First off, I love your cartoons They always make me laugh. Second: I’m slowly working towards theme days. I still fall in the trap of doing a little bit of everything a day.
As for my working from home tips; here’s my 3 cents.
1. Have a lock on your office door – As a mom of 2 (almost) preschoolers + nosey….errr… loving husband. Locking the door is a must. Or like clockwork every 28 minutes I get “checked in on/hugs breaks” because I must be “lonely”.
2. Have family time right after breakfast. If it’s not raining we go for a 30 min walk.. If it’s pouring – dance party to Queen. This way everyone gets their mom fix and I avoid nasty “all-you-do-is-work-all-the-time-and-play-on-facebook” eyerolls.
3. Plan your day the night the before. I pick 3 important things I want to get done or meetings I’m going to have the next day then ruthless work to get “just” those things done.
Thanks Kate, those cartoons take a while to draw and Photoshop so I’m glad you like them!
1.) Bahahah, great tip for freelancers with a family!
2.) GREAT TIP!
3.) I do the same: http://www.nevblog.com/to-do-list-how-to/
I’ve noticed people with families definitely have a different set of tips than people without. Thank you very much for sharing Kate!
Thank you for being the most entertaining copywriting/biz blog on the block, Neville.
Awww…thank you Kate!
Working from home is such a luxury! Since I started doing it full time 2 years ago my 3 tips for productivity are:
1. Get up and get ready like you are going to to work.
2. Have a dedicated desk space near a window. Looking out and seeing motion, light, etc., helps keep me focused and connected.
3. Get out at least once a day and walk a lap around your block. You would normally walk to get coffee with co-workers or grab lunch. Getting out helps you clear your mind and gets the endorphins popping.
HTH!
Andrea
Awesome tips Andrea, thank you for sharing!
Check your library’s private rooms. Forget the days of old fashioned, stuffy places. Now they have super modern, sleek, beautiful libraries with private rooms you can use for free with ZERO distractions. Try several libraries in your area. Heck, and when you travel too. A built in office for you anywhere. You’ll be amazed at how nice some are and how much you get done.
That’s a great tip, I totally forgot I used hound libraries alllll the time because they’re free, quiet, have tons of resources/bathrooms etc. Great tip!
Wow, I loved the 16 suggestions AND there is great stuff in the comments as well. Will need a bit of time to digest it all. I downloaded Self Control within seconds of reading about it (ha!). In my situation, I have another homeworking partner and kid around me, which I can find distracting at times (they want my attention…they want food…they want blah blah blah…I just want to be left alone to get on with MY STUFF)…my solution? Encourage those two to get out of the house for some fun (park, movie, rollerblading, etc.). Next step…backyard office…(not sure who goes in it yet).
Self Control is great….and if you’re a Facebook user definitely checkout Newsfeed Eradicator also!
I too am always pleasantly surprised by the quality comments people leave, I learn A LOT from them. Maybe you should get the kids into PokemonGo, that’ll definitely get them outta the house for a few hours :-P
These are great suggestions… for someone single and without kids. Do you have a buddy / coworker / etc who perhaps used to follow this plan but has adapted it for being a work-at-home parent with a spouse who works outside the home?
Hey JJ, absolutely a lot of these suggestions still work! However the plan is obviously very different when you’ve got a family/kids.
I think they generally value being at home more than I do, or free time to take kids to the park/doctor/whatever.
I was thinking of getting someone to guest post their family schedule.
I wake up, go down to the beach and walk two miles, take photos, and post the best one on FB.
The newsfeed block idea is awesome!
Then time to get some good work done while I cook a tasty breakfast and head off to the coworking space I own. The early birds are already there making money. It is a great place to work without distractions-but still around smart happy people.
Lunch is always spent with friends at local mom and pop restaurants.
Oh, then Newsfeed Eradicator would definitely be perfect for you!
Sounds like you got your morning routine down pat, good job Russ :)
Thanks Nev
I also enjoy spending time learning from your emails and putting your knowledge to use.
My new social media guy is becoming a Nev Kopywriter.
ps I endorse your hand written single page goals.
Thanks Russ, appreciate the kind words, and very glad your social media guy is putting in the time to learn some good Kopy!!
Thank you for sharing this great post, Neville! My tip: ** don’t ** keep a glass of water near you, on your desk. Always go get and move your body. :)
Thank you Fabrício! Hmmm, I actually love keeping a glass of water on my desk, it makes me drink WAY more water :)
Thank you for the tip!
I work at home full time and spend a lot of that time on conference calls. For most of the calls, I need to reference a document or take notes and am, therefore, tied to a desk. But, for a delicious few, all I need is to pay attention. I grab the dog leash, put an ear of corn in my pocket and head across the street to the lake. As soon as the ducks and geese see me, they come waddling up. I feed them the corn, walk my sweet dog, grab some Vitamin D, take a long visual nature break, and come back home 15-20 minutes later totally refreshed, ready for the next call. I agree with you, Neville, good hands-free headsets are a must.
The second thing that I do to break up the conference-call-at-my-desk routine is to go outside, sit in the sun, and do some sort of menial activity, shell peas, pot a plant, or sweep the patio. The outside break and sunshine make such a difference.
Thanks for a great topic and discussion.
That sounds fun Teresa! I don’t have a dog, but I’ve dogsat quite a bit, and it IS fun playing with the pups in the downtime :)
I like your idea of taking walks during calls where you only have to listen, otherwise it sounds like it would get boring just sitting inside all day.
Excellent …
Maybe turn off your phone too ?
Work early ( very early ) and/or late ( very late )
to be not disturb …
I keep my phone on, but I keep MOST app notifications off. This way only calls and texts get through. Thanks for your tips Oliver!
Hai. I am a typical introvert. My energy gets taken away in contact with other people. On the other hand I reliad my energy by being on and in myself. So I was a little bit struck by the fact that all the pro’s of working not at home are con’s to me and visa versa.
I really like the point of having toys for fun and for getting new ideas. I never have been thinking about using some kind of toys. I start working in my garden for thinking and getting ideas. But then I stay too long outside.
I use music when I am writing: minimal music like Philip Glass. Music that does not make me sing along ?
Thanks for this post.
Hey Selma, very interesting observation! I am the opposite (I get energy from being around others), so I guess the post was much more focused on getting CLOSER to people.
Well for you, I assume just do the opposite :)
But yes, I would suggest having some sort of indoor toys you can play with quickly. I’ll often fiddle around with a guitar or some other toy for just a few minutes or seconds and then go back to work. Than kyou for sharing Selma!
Thank for this Nev. I work from home for my ‘day’ job and also my freelancing/online side hustle. I find I get more done at home than in an open plan office environment. The main factor for me is distractions. I’ll get people asking me things about once every 20 minutes in the office. When I’m at home, I get left alone.
Here are my 2 main survival aids for working from home:
– House/Trance Music: There are loads of free mixes on YouTube or SoundCloud. The repetitive bass beats really help with writing. I’ve got a big pair of cans for the office that blocks out ambient noise and puts off ‘casual’ interruptions.
– Phone in airplane mode: I read this on another blog. I’ll put my phone in airplane mode and set a timer for 25 minutes. When the time’s up I can goof off, check my Twitter/Facebook or whatever for 5 minutes then it’s back to work.
You’re very welcome Neil! Love the tips. It seems like you’re in high demand at your office! I wonder if you can do something like put up an “IN THE ZONE” note or something asking people not to bug you, or use big-ass headphones to show you’re not in the mood for talking.
Although I understand if you’re required to interact with these people whenever they ask you for something. In that case, your home will definitely be more productive than a distracting office. Thanks for sharing :)
Hi Neville,
I’ve been following your blog for a while now. This is my first reply. I love your blog and how you create exceptional value for other copywriters. I’ll soon reply to a bunch of posts you made to share my thoughts.
About this post, I absolutely love your idea regarding the earplugs. It came at a time when constant noise around me was literally driving me crazy!!! I’m from the Netherlands, but working as a digital nomad, so I don’t really have a home. At the moment I’m living in Prague for 3-5 months in an apartment I rented. I consider this my home for now. But man, the neighbors are redecorating their home or something. All I hear the whole day is some fuck*ng hammering. And the walls here are made of paper. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. In the Netherlands you wouldn’t hear a thing, the walls are isolated and thick. But here? What the fuck. It’s like someone is directly hammering my brain. So even earplugs don’t work! I had to flee outside to be productive! I couldn’t take my laptop with me, because it was not charged. So I took an old fashioned notebook and a pen, rushed outside, and started to write. I came up with some amazing ideas. Now I thank my stupid neighbors. Still, I hope they die anytime soon if they continue with the noise. I just wanna work in peace from my temporary home.
Hey George, thanks for finally sharing :)
I guess if you have really noisy neighbors then even ear plugs won’t help. Maybe have a polite talk with them about it? They may not even know they’re being noisy without you telling them.
However in the daytime it’s kind of fair to be allowed to make a little noise, so if they are doing construction or something similar, it’ll be difficult to force them to stop.
Maybe get out to a co-working space or your “3rd Place” in Prague and get some work done away from home!
Another great way to work from “home”: pack a lunch and head for a quiet spot in a park. Or anywhere out in Nature. This is especially inspiring for actual writing, when it helps to be free from the distraction of internet access.
My own favourite spot is on a cliff top, within the walls of a stone fort, built in case Napaleon decided to invade England. He never did – but I’m so grateful to him for inspiring the building of such a magnificent “office” for me.
Thank you for recommending the best earplugs – at this time of year, the seagulls have noisy arguments that often carry on all night long. They won’t disturb my blissful sleep any more. Speaking of which, when your office is also your home, it’s vital to keep it out of the bedroom. Sleep is sacred.
Very cool Steve! Your Napoleon cliff top might be cooler than my place: The Texas State Capitol grounds (about 6 blocks from where I live).
I definitely agree a quick trip to the outside world can inspire a lot of creativity!
Hi Neville — great article with very useful tips. What works for me is to switch off tasks so that my brain becomes recharged with new activities, rather than sitting and working on one project for hours on end. I am not a multi-tasker by any means, but I find that working on a variety of projects helps each one become informed by the others. I am always amazed at how often I can apply my ideas and thoughts across a variety of work activities, enriching them as I move forward.
Thank you Janet!
Keep doing what works well for you. I guess multi-tasking for you cross-pollinates your ideas!
I am a regional manager for the company i work for covering the west coast out of my home office. I travel 2-3 days every two weeks but the other times i’m at home trying to bang out calls and set up meetings and underwrite some deals. it’s super easy to get distracted and I do. The times I don’t I found that putting everything I need to get done in my calendar with pop up reminders really help along with allowing myself a reward only if I complete the task example – can’t watch this weeks episode of silicon valley until I complete my presentation for my next travel meeting. The other thing I do for anyone that has a set # they need to reach of any test is I have a roll of pennies (30 for me) on my desk with an empty cup. the goal is 30 calls a day. with every call i make i drop a penny in the cup. this gives me a visual on how far along i am. so if by lunch i’m only at 10, i know i need to pick up the pace or focus more.
Hey Fadi, those are some interesting methods. I like that the pennies thing works for you, super unique.
And if it doesn’t work out, maybe Gavin Belson will give you a job at Hooli??
Hi, Neville! Great tips. The only thing I saw in your post that I would challenge is your weekend work hours. I’ve been a freelancer for 20 years (a copywriter for 30) and I’m a big fan of boundaries, as well as warding off burnout. So I draw the line at the end of the day and at the end of the week. From time to time I have so much work that I push past those lines, but I try to be pretty strict about it because this gig will wear you down if you don’t walk away from it on a regular basis. I’m more likely to work late on a week night than on the weekend.
I really enjoy your emails and thought you had some great ideas here. My favorite ear plugs are the yellow and pink Leight brand. And thanks for the Self Control app. I didn’t know that existed and it will help me tremendously.
Hey Tierney, I totally agree to an extent. I used to keep days where I wouldn’t work, but what I found was: Sometimes I just WANT to work!
It’s like work is my hobby sometimes, and I don’t mind it at all.
But you are correct about boundaries, and if I have plans on the weekend, I will put them over work (unless the work is crucial). I’m also VERY cognizant of boundaries in this way: If someone needs something done, I will ONLY promise it can be done the following day. I’ll never do same-day stuff or else it keeps piling up and makes you go crazy.
Thanks for the feedback and tips…..I know a lot of people have trouble with boundaries, and by declining to work at certain times of the day will greatly help them.
Getting dressed for work and not working in house wears is a good one for me. It sends message to the brain that it’s time for work.
Thanks Abiola! I tried dressing up professionally for a month when working at home….I think it had little effect on me personally, and now I don’t care how I’m dressed at home for work (unless I’m on a video call and have to be presentable). Thanks for sharing!
I use neurological music to keep me focused and ontask. Specifically, I use the app Focus@Will. It has a timer and I’m always amazed at how much I get done in 20, 30 or 40 minutes. Mostly use it for when I’m writing. Loved the above ideas and I downloaded the SelfControl and Eradicate newsfeed! Brilliant!
I’ve tried that, it’s good stuff. Still prefer the ear plugs though!
Good job download the two apps, they will save you crazy amounts of time!
5 things I do before anything else, I used to call it 5 @ 5, but unless I’ve just traveled back from the East Coast, who am I kidding?
I mediate, make coffee (great beans, Hario hand ground, pour over . . . I may be as addicted to the ritual of making coffee at this point as I am to the caffeine), move (walk outside). There’s usually another thing I’m playing with or testing i.e., hanging, cold showers, reading, mobility.
Then I write . . . for me. There are lots of great journals out there, but a thin Japanese notebook is not overwhelming or pretentious, and it travels well. Brain Dump (thanks, Tim Ferriss), Truths (what I know, not what I want some genie in my subconscious to deliver), My Desires (goals with enough feeling to make me want to take action to reach them naturally), 3-5 Acks/Wins (“I rock . . .”), 3-5 Gratz (“I am so grateful for . . .”)And my secret weapon, To Do Cubed — 1 MIT and 2 things that need to get done . . . today one of them is laundry or I’m going commando. To Do Cubed has really become an anchor for me because when I first started working from home, I either went down the rabbit holes everyone else directed me toward or I wasted my day not knowing what the hell to do. This gives me focus and if I hit all three, the day has been a success.
Great article, Neville. I’m going to starting using the mirror tip today!
Great feedback Marcie, and good luck with the mirror writing!
The best way to stay productive, is to constantly try new productivity methods, and it looks like you’ve got that down!
My work from home tip:
• Every other hour get up and walk around for 15 minutes (outside if possible)
• Pomodoro technique since I get distracted easily (i Like 50 min of work, 10 min break). After 3 pomodoro sessions I’ll take an extended break and go back for more
Dang, a lot of people like this Pomodoro Technique!
I have severe untreated ADD, and working from home is nearly impossible, but there have been a few tricks that get me in the zone.
1. To do list with only a few items on it. A new list can be created mid day.
2. Having my own office space separate from the living areas.
3. Pomodromo -with mechanical timer
4. Brain.fm – Can’t stress this one enough, time it with the pomodromo.
Great tips Thomas!
I like your first one….that has definitely helped me over the years:
http://www.nevblog.com/evolution-of-the-daily-to-do-list/
my own little have to stay focused is to get up and do a 30sec walk around the room. it keeps me from falling asleep and getting board.
That’s always a good tip. I also enjoy some pushups or handstands to get the blood flowing!
clean the house on Sunday’s. Environment is critical to creativity. Clutter is distracting!
PS. What does the pic say in your reading room?? “Some fucking passion” ?
I’m guessing the first word is ‘Show’
You guessed correct Phil!
http://www.nevblog.com/show-some-fucking-passion-poster/
Bahahha, it says “Show some fucking passion” :)
Fantastic Tips!!
I have been working remotely for my job (and my side gig) for over 2 years now. Few tips I can provide:
1) Waking up with intention and morning routines help frame your work day out. You’re waking up with a purpose and goals in mind.
2) If you hit the gym in the AM, do it and take a shower. If not, still take a quick shower/rinse. it cleans off yesterday and focuses you for today.
3) Always have your To-Do list ready from the night before so you don’t waste time figuring out the stuff you need to do. Just jump right in.
4) Take a break and go for a walk to stretch your legs and refocus your energy. Listen to an inspirational podcast that reminds you of your goals and what you’re trying to achieve.
Hope that helps!!
Thanks for the tips Jesal! Possibly shirt-worthy.
I routinely use every single one you suggested :)
Agree with all the above. Great thread. About the lighting. It’s key. Why be on video if it sucks? Also most people don’t know but good lighting can save you on bandwidth also more processing power is needed. If you ever travel and your location has crap bandwidth, remember lighting!
Totally agree Josh! One of the reasons I hate taking video calls outside of my home is the video quality. I love being brightly lit, in a controlled volume setting, with a good webcam.
I’ve seen small portable LED lighting….but I usually just ghetto-rig the area I’m in my tilting lamps or being in a bright area.
All very interesting suggestions. For the past 45 years and more I’ve free-lanced writing legal briefs from my home office and I’ve found it useful for my desk to be positioned in front of a blank wall. Windows and decorations are a distraction. I work seven days a week, take short hourly breaks, although if I’m hot on the trail of a narrative or argument often I work until it’s drafted out. I need quiet (no music, although I like to hear the birds singing outside) and a comfortable chair and I don’t play well with others when there’s work to be done. I have no use for the growing list of electronic distractions that most young people seem to crave (e.g., Facebook, twitter, etc.), but I indulge myself with twice-daily walks covering roughly five miles everyday, weather be damned (often I sort out legal arguments as I walk and record them for later consideration). I suspect my work habits are more useful for those who do technical work, whereas if I wrote comedy or screenplays most likely the work product would be better if there was someone else in the room.
How interesting you find a blank wall to be best….I’m literally the exact opposite!
Everyone is so different in their preferences, it’s great to hear all the alternate setups people like. And I agree your work habits probably best fit technical work (although who knows, some creative person out there may have the exact work preferences as you).
I tend to need mental stimulation and distraction to get my mind in a playful state when writing copy. Not ALL THE TIME, but some of the time.
Great feedback…..whatever works for you, works!
I’ve been working from home for around 6 years and this is my magic formula, so I hope it will be helpful to others:
– Having both standing and sitting desk is a good option, but I’ve found that balance board ( eg http://goo.gl/u0dmtx ) and standing desk work magic for my back. Find some great music and you’ll have both fun and exercise while you work. I’m a funk head so my personal favorite is: http://radionula.com/
Mixcloud is also useful.
– Flexible work time is tricky for me, though it’s useful when I travel. I work in 2 chunks of time (morning and evening, 6+3 or 6+4 hours usually), so I can “recharge my batteries” in between.
– Socializing is important, at least 2-3 times a week, otherwise I become the person from the Oatmeal’s comic (http://theoatmeal.com/comics/working_home). I don’t have much of free time and I carefully choose people I spend it with, which keeps my optimism at peak.
– Keeping a lot of plants and having a good light in my work space benefits my mood>>motivation.
– I use Trello for organization (from personal tasks like “call your mom” to managing projects at work), this plugin for blocking all distractions: https://www.gofuckingwork.com/ and this android app to speed things up: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plafhop.getshitdone.
– No sweets and simple carbohydrates allowed while I work, so I don’t get sleepy and lazy. If I want something sweet, I eat a piece of fruit. By all means, fight the pig within you and you’ll be happier, I promise.
– Having a separate bedroom with no gadgets inside (only Kindle is allowed, but no wifi use!) helped me sleep better, so I have plenty of energy when I wake up. Earlier I lived in small apt with no separate bedroom and watching my work desk from my bed gave me the feeling that I work 24/7.
– Dancing ’till morning hours on weekends is my best stress reliever. Having priorities instead of deadlines also helps a lot. Living a good life, laughing a lot and having no toxic people around you also helps a ton.
– I don’t work in pajama or underwear, it only makes me wanna go back to bed.
– Loving my job (aka being good at what I love and having a good income from that) is maybe the most important factor for motivation. There were days when I did lousy projects for lousy money and I couldn’t make myself to go out of bed, but I knew if I keep fighting and learning that there will come a day when I’ll be able to choose nice projects and nice people to work with. Now I’m eager to wake up and “go” to work :) So, if you’re going trough hell, keep going, there’s a sunshine ahead :)
These are all fantastic suggestions Marina, this is DEFINITELY a shirt-worthy post :)
I totally get your last point. If I’m not excited to work on something, even if the money is really good it’s SUPER HARD to start.
Thanks again for all the tips!
Awesome post. My tip for anyone starting out is to put pants on. It’s crazy how much more productive you can be from home when you change out of your pajamas or actually put clothes on. It took me a few solid months to realize that my laziness was showing up not only in the no-pants wearing to work,, but my work itself. So word to the wise: get dressed even if you don’t plan to leave the house. It will help start your day.
Bahahha, a lot of people have actually said this!
I find it to be sort-of true….it just depends on the day. Sometimes I can work in sleep clothes all day, and sometimes I’ll need a shower to get the day kick-started. Thanks for sharing Jen!
Sincerely,
Neville Medhora – A guy currently wearing pants
Hi Neville,
as I am a very disciplined person, I have only one rule I stick to: never to do any work on my computer in my pyjamas! For me, the most important is to keep my private life separate!
Kind regards,
Monika
It seems you and many other people hate working in pajamas…..I dunno, I kinda love it :)
Thanks for the tips Neville! I’ve been a copywriter for several years (in house) but have only been reading your stuff now for a few months, and have to say you breathe fresh air into the industry. I look forward to your emails and their insight and wit each week. I also picked up your book on Amazon, totally dig it. As for tips for working from home, I would have to say that I always have a steady stream of Jake and the Neverland Pirates cued up on Netflix. The show captivates my toddlers and prevents them from harassing me while I try to get some work done. I’ve also found that working out early in the morning (a la Gary Halbert) really wakes me up and sets up the day well. Thanks for again!
Oh wow…..so having kids at home I’m sure makes working from home 100x harder, so I’m glad you have a distraction robot (aka your TV) to keep the kids occupied for a bit.
Thanks for sharing Shay (and for the very kind compliments) :-)
I recently discovered the app Forest and I love it. It uses the Pomodoro technique, with a countdown timer, AND it blocks distracting websites. What I love about it is that instead of warning you or simply closing the websites again, you plant a tree and if you visit the blacklisted websites, your tree dies.
I don’t want dead trees in my forest.
So I click to plant the tree, work hard for 25 minutes (or more) and then admire my tree and give myself 10 minutes free time.
You can find it here: http://www.forestapp.cc/
Such a cool little app. Thank you for it! I really like how it uses some of the strategies games use to keep us hooked but in this case for our own benefit.
Glad you found something new whilst browsing these comments Tibi :)
Oh how interesting….they kind of “gamified” the Pomodoro Technique! Thank you for the share Danielle.
No social media in the mornings.
Oh yeah……if you first get on FB (or whatever) in the morning it can be a big time suck and kind of distracting and pointless. Totally agree Ron! (though I’m guilty of it) ;)
Two things help me quite a bit: having a morning routine (I use Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning) and Focus@Will which has music in different styles or ambient sounds (your choice) that I can listen to that keeps me focused.
Great tips John! A lot of people have mentioned Focus@Will so far. Seems cool!
In case you don’t have the ready cash to get a standing desk, a reasonable alternative is a single or dual adjustable armed monitor stand (now as low as $70 although I paid more like $200) that fastens to your desk. Add to that an adjustable laptop stand (about $30) for your keyboard. For sitting comfort, a rocking footrest for underneath the desk can be helpful (about $30). There are tabletop standing desk additions, as well in the $350 range, but I haven’t tried them.
Thank Fran! There’s a lot of new sitting/standing solutions I’ve seen over the years. I think the price I paid ($2,000) for a desk is pretty steep, and there’s a lot of ways you can create your own sitting/standing space for cheap or even free.
I’ll often just stand up with my laptop at my kitchen counter, and that’s pretty decent for working (and free)!
Before shutting down at the end of the day, write the three most important things to do the next day (most important item first) and post it conspicuously. Next day, immediately read the list, then focus only on the first item until it’s done, then the second, then the third.
(Not my original idea and not just for working at home)
Good advice Mark! I pretty much do this exact thing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSskW5xiLiQ
Thanks for the article bro, got out with some future ideas for my Batcave.
I’m a video editor and most of my work is done from home.
Most of the time it’s great cause I can do anything I want but it’s also the worst thing because of that. I don’t have a separate room to work in so the freaking bed is always near my desk. This is how I roll:
1) I do my bed as soon as I wake up. Aside from that 0.1% feeling of doing something right, it’s so tidy that it sort of stops me from messing it up again.
2) I use an app called ColdTurkey instead of Self Control, but I guess it does the same thing. It automatically comes with a list of 25 websites that you can block with the option of adding more. Got Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit and more blocked until 9pm. Until then I’d always say I wouldn’t then end up watching 3 hours of YT. https://s31.postimg.org/dtzkf0jcr/Screenshot_2.png
3) I try to eat as late as possible in the day. I’m more energized when I’m on an empty stomach and everything I want to do after I eat is take a big nap. I usually snack on easy things like watermelon and carrots.
4) 2 hours after I wake up I’m the most productive I’ll ever be during the day, no need for caffeine. But after that, I want to ride that bed and usually that’s when I hit the gym. I get energized with a shower then I’m right back at it with the white vans.
That’s me.
Great insights from everyone in the comments here!
Thanks Tibi, I totally agree with all of these (and also thanks for the recommendation to ColdTurkey).
I’ve actually been a huge fan of not eating till later in the day recently. It really does help keep you alert and get A LOT more done with A LOT more energy.
Anytime I eat a big breakfast or lunch I’m pretty much wiped for the next few hours.
Thanks for the greta recommendations, definitely a shirt-worthy post!
In addition to what you already mentioned:
1. Quick workout in the morning. The purpose here is get your blood flowing, not to train for the rest olympics. My morning routine includes 100 push-ups (usually intervals of 20-40 with 30 second rests), or 100 situps, or 30 pull-ups. I mix them up every day.
2. Morning coffee in the sun (if there’s sun). While sipping coffee I go over notes on Evernote that are related to things I’m currently working on, or to prime myself into a positive mindset.
3. Use pomodoro technique. The traditional pomodoro is 25 minutes work and 5 minutes rest (I think). I usually set my pomodoro form45 minutes work, 7 minutes rest. However, I don’t strictly follow it. If I’m in a flow state, I keep on working and ignore the bell.
4. During (pomodoro) rest periods, do something unrelated to what you’re currently working on. Play guitar, read a book, do a quick workout (if you’re tired), take a quick shower…
5. Drink water. Keep a bottle at your desk regularly, and take a sip every now and then. This keeps you alert and combats drowsiness.
6. Take a coffee nap. I recently started doing this, and it’s amazing. If you’re tired/drowsy, make a cup of coffee, and take a 15-30 minute nap immediately after. It doesn’t actually matter if you’re able to fall asleep or not, but try to. You’ll wake up extremely alert and ready for action. ( the science behind it, in a nutshell, is that it takes time for caffeine to kick in, and by the time you wake up, you will feel extra altert thanks to the caffeine &a nap mix)
7. Diffuse distractions. My work office is problematic… I have my bed right alongside my desk, TV (even though I don’t watch Tv anymore) etc…the mere existence of these objects can be distractions. So if you have no choice, and you can’t work from a separate room, then diffuse these distractions. Examples: unplug your tv from the chord, put a ton of bags on your bed, making it unsleepable.
8. Work with an extra screen. I literally can’t work without 2 screens, especially when I’m coding/designing stuff.
I’m sure there’s more I can’t think about right now…but that’ll do for now
Hey Rafael, great list!
I actually like a lot of the distractions because I’m often having to do creative work and look for fun things to do….but if you’re doing coding or designing I can see how that’s a big distraction.
I’ll rarely turn on my TV during the day unless I want to take a rest while eating a quick lunch….otherwise yes that could get super distracting.
Thanks for sharing Rafael!
Something that’s made quite a difference for me even though it’s obvious: I think it’s good to have a space that’s dedicated to work and clearly separated from the rest of your home (i.e. office with a door that closes, a shack in your garden, whatever), that way you can have some kind of “going to the office routine” and separate work/play more clearly. Separate computers to me is even better than Self Control (just block stuff permanently on your “work” computer).
I’ve been meaning to try those Bose earphones ’cause as you point out, they’re way lighter than standard headphones. I’m curious if you’ve tried the noise cancelling version? Or maybe someone else here has! Would love to hear opinions about them before I take the plunge.
Hey David, I agree that having a separate space can be really good. However I’ve noticed sometimes I actually ENJOY being in the “main” space, and not separated. I guess that preference varies by person.
However if I had a family and kids, a separate space would probably be necessary!
The noise cancelling version of the Bose headphones are still clunky (they have this big battery compartment thing you have to lug around). They also still use batteries which is just another annoyance and thing to worry about. That’s why I haven’t seen too many people stick with them.
However I have tried them and they work really well. So if you don’t mind the little battery dongle, you’ll enjoy them.
Pomodoro Technique works wonders. 4 short sessions with a short break between each, and one long break after. Can’t work too long, you need to take time to rest your eyes as well. It’s good to stretch often and look at green objects like trees during your breaks. Staring at your laptop screen for too long isn’t healthy.
Good tips Julian. I naturally tend to take breaks when staring at a screen is too much, or I’m feeling lazy in front of the computer. A quick walk around or a handstand or some pushups is a great break for the eyes and the body!
Hi Nev – great post.
A lot of people assume that listening to music is fantastic for enabling you to get “stuck in” whilst working.
Although listening to music (or at least the decent stuff…) CAN be good, I have found the trick is to ONLY listen to instrumental music.
Why?
You won’t find yourself getting distracted by the lyrics. Also – have you ever been typing away whilst listening to someone talk/sing only to realise you have zoned out and accidentally typed whatever it is your are listening to? Rather than what you ACTUALLY wanted to type? Yeah. So annoying.
Here’s some I’ve listened to recently:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8pVz6nJpEc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iak9_xjlJAw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzf7OR6-C8o
The examples I’ve given here might not be to everyone’s taste, but once you find your sound – the effects are great.
I totally agree with you Sam. I prefer listening to music with no words, or just background vocals like in house music.
My FAVORITE music station to work to is “Deep House Radio” on Pandora. I can listen to that kinda stuff forever :)
Step #5 – Make sure to use dry-erase and not permanent markers on your mirror. I have a *friend* that did that once…
If you’ve use permanent marker on a white board, simply go over the ink with an dry-wipe marker and it will all come straight off!
Deodorant works well too, the alcohol-denat must pull away the ink pigments.
:-)
So funny you mentioned that Sam…..someone wrote on my mirror with a permanent marker, and a teacher friend of mine used this trick to get it right off :-)
Bahahah……I’m sure your “friend” felt really silly after doing that :)
But Sam said it correctly below: Write over the permanent market with a dry-erase marker and wipe it away. The alcohol inside the dry-erase markers loosens the ink of the permanent marker!
…………..and if you’re using a chalkboard, the bet way of getting them clean is to use Guinness.
Tip I learnt in my first bar job
Use Guinness?? Now I’m going to have to find a chalkboard and try that :)
Hi there!
I am finishing up my degree in Creative Writing in New Zealand and someone mentioned to me recently that copywriting could be a career avenue. Because of this, I found your blog, and have just today printed off The Boron Letters.
I sometimes find it hard to do study at home, as I am surrounded by distractions. What helps me is to reward myself for hard work, but in a different way each time.
Example 1: Accumulative reward
I tend to use this one when i feel particularly motivated
1hr continuous work = 1 candy bar
2hrs continuous work = watch a tv episode
Etc
Example 2: timed rewards
I tend to use this one when I’m struggling to get into the work I’m doing. First start with 30 minutes of fres time. Then go into an hour of work. Once that is done, reward yourself with another 30 min break.
With this one i eventually loose track of time while working and do a solid 2-3 hour block.
Well I hope this helps people. Sorry in advance for any spelling mistakes etc. I only have access to my phone while my laptop is getting fixed.
Paige
I do something like this for just writing, and it’s super old school (but works for me). I set a timer on my stove clock and then I sit down and force myself to do nothing but writewordseverythingthatcomesoutofme and I don’t stop until I hear the beeper telling me that the time’s up.
I got this idea from the writing instructor extraordinaire Natalie Goldberg in her book “Writing Down the Bones”.
She advocates using a pen to paper. A ‘fast-writing-pen’, that is. But I find this also works for copywriting or idea jamming on a computer.
I usually do a run-up of maybe 10 mins.
Then a bit later I’ll do something much longer, maybe 40-50 minutes. I find it harder to do much longer than that. One task only. So I can only write during that time. Or only edit. You get the idea.
Cool you use this technique. I like the idea of setting a timer to do something for a really short amount of time (like 5 minutes) because it seems so easy. But then 5 minutes later when you’re on a roll, you don’t wanna stop so you keep going and finish way more than expected.
Thanks for sharing!
Hey Paige, GREAT feedback!
Everyone responds different to different types of accountability methods, and if this helps you…then awesome! Possibly a shirt-worthy post :)
Best of luck on finishing The Boron Letters, I think you will learn a tremendous amount from them. For my other book recommendations, checkout the video at the bottom of this page:
https://kopywritingkourse.com/copywriting-courses-books-review/
Been working from home for a few months now, and loving Todoist! I put all the tasks (even really basic ones) on a list, and start ticking them off. Very satisfying :)
Taking a hard stance on ‘no books during the lunch break’ because then I’ll get suckered into finishing it :(
And for toys, highly recommend checking out nanoblock! Little bit like Lego, great fun, and kinda sorta works like meditation!
Great tips about using Self-control and news feed eradicator’ – getting on to that right now.
Oh yeah I’ve definitely heard of them for to-do list stuff!
I still use paper & pen for a lot of that, but more and more tasks are moving to Slack and Glip over the years. Thanks for the recommendation Rumi, and enjoy Self Control and Newsfeed Eradicator….GREAT pieces of software….and they’re both free too!
It is fun when our creativity gets activated while working alone from home.
That’s why I like keeping a lot of toys around the house :)
Hey Neville,
I like the ear-plugs idea… and that feeling of getting into “your own little space”.
My method for doing that is putting my headphones on and listening to alphawaves… or white noise. (Go to simplynoise.com)…
For some reason it gives me a laser-like focus on whatever I’m doing… especially if it’s mentally demanding.
Anyway mang, nice article… thanks for the info
Pete
I’ve tried a lot of the alpha waves type sites in the past. I agree it works, but it unfortunately hasn’t been super consistent with me.
A lot of people recommended I try Coffitivity.com, and I have….but it’s not a solution I can use ALL THE TIME with great success. My personal favorite for concentration is still the ear plug solution!
Neville, have you tried Focus@will, its good music designed to make you productive, and it works, I can testify. Every time I tune when doing some creative work, my mind goes into ultra productive mode and I can things done fast. I loose sense of time as the music is so good and it has a timer so you can set the time to be productive.
There are a lot of distractions at home–and it’s not just websites but things you see and want to tinker with (ex: a new gadget). I would suggest time-boxing your tasks using the Pomodoro Technique especially when you need to get things done. One thing to have is a ritual as well. For example, mine is (upon waking up, does not matter what time): drink water (hydrate!), bathroom stuff (hygiene), smoothie, write in my journal, reading time, go through my MIT (most important task) for the day–and the rest will follow.
Thanks for sharing Marmel!
I actually didn’t include “Have a morning ritual” on here because I’ve noticed after all these years a specific routine doesn’t work for me all the time. I personally like changing up the routine all the time.
But a lot of people swear by their morning routines. Glad you’ve got a good one down!
I like the ideas you mentioned here. I also like your style and how you keep people’s attention. I usually keep it simple, I just get on the couch or in the recliner with my laptop to get some work done. I have a job so I’m not a full time Entrepreneur YET!
Thanks for all the things you share, I just bought your book and will be looking to buy you Kopywriting Kourse soon in the near future.
I am new to Kopy Writing but feel this will be the lynch-pin that TIES all my ideas, futrure products, and current business together.
THANKS again,
Kenneth Paul
Thank you very much for the compliments Kenneth! Glad I’ve got you on track to study copywriting. It’ll definitely lead you down a rabbit hole of great sales advice and practice. Best of luck on your journey!