How To Increase And Sustain Productivity When Working At Home

"I get to work in my pajamas." How often have we heard that phrase as an advertisement for the benefits of being self-employed and working from home? It's a great statement, implying having your own schedule, only having to commute as far as your home office from your bedroom, not having to worry about what you look like.

The down side of working in your pajamas 
As someone who works at home though, I can tell you that the down side of "working in your pajamas" is that it makes you feel, well, like lounging on the couch with that second cup of tea while catching up on the day's news. And then maybe, the bed looks really inviting and you think, well... I'll just take a little nap. Before you know it, the day is half over and your productivity is shot.

Put on your running shoes 
So, my best advice for being more productive when working from home? Get dressed as if you're going out to work. No, that doesn't mean you have to don a suit and tie or panty hose, but it does mean being showered, hair combed, dressed, and - I don't know why this is so important - but wearing sneakers, as opposed to flip flops or slippers, just makes me feel energetic. Don't believe me? Try it!

Four tips for making the most out of your workday at home
A few other tips that I find useful to maintain and sustain my productivity when working at home: 

1. Focus on income producing activities first. Leave those "busy" tasks (like cleaning out your inbox) to later in the day.
2. Turn off Facebook and email notifications while focusing on a task. It's even more tempting to take frequent social media breaks, which can easily lead down the path of hours wasted, when there is no boss looking over your shoulder.
3. Unless you are expecting an important business call, turn off your cell phone ringer, or better yet, leave your phone in another room. Does the very idea make you break out in a cold sweat? Just try it for small increments, say a half hour and gradually build up. Like detoxing in reverse.
4. Use a timer for daunting tasks. You can do anything for 15 minutes. And then another 15 minutes. Before you know it, you've made a good dent in that project you'd been putting off because it felt too daunting. 

Get ready, get set, go 
In summary: get dressed, put on your running shoes, turn off distractions, pace yourself and have fun being productive and basking in the glow of one more important income producing activity you can check off your to do list.

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What if yours was the last word someone heard?

What if? Often those “what if…” thoughts are the worst-case scenarios, the dire imaginings that our minds are so wont to concoct.  Happily, our worst what if’s don’t usually come true. Life is infinitely more creative and unexpected than what our brains can imagine.

I heard a different take on the “what if…” possibility at a recent talk by Edward Viljoen. The subject was love, and what stayed with me is the idea that what if the last words someone heard were your words?  What if the last thing someone saw before they died was the look on your face?  What is someone’s last memory was the interaction they had with you before you right before they slipped away to that unknown dimension that lies on the other side of this consciousness?

What if the last thing someone saw before they died was the look on your face?

This really gave me pause to think. How many times do I mindlessly go through life, not really giving much thought to the hundreds, perhaps thousands of interactions that I have each day with my fellow humans, not stopping to consider the ripples created by my looks, my words, my actions.

I started to wonder, what would my life look like if I kept that thought, that particular “what if…” present in every interaction?  Would I be so quick to roll my eyes, let that tone of impatience slip into my words, speed up to get my place in the checkout lane if I knew that look, that word, that action would be the last thing this person experienced before some sudden twist of fate, luck, God, intervened and that person was suddenly no more? 

Sound Advice: Take a Breath before Responding

I decided to try it and find out.  My discovery? I’m a nicer person!  That thought, that simple “what if…” thought, gives me just the needed pause between that moment of reaction and the ensuing look, words, actions…. The opportunity to take a breath before responding, to suspend my judgment, to take the high road , to be kinder, more generous, to give the benefit of the doubt,  to smile .

What if we all went through life this way?  I wonder if the invisible web of creation which binds us together, the indiscernible ripples of cause  and effect, would make this world a kinder, gentler place to live?

A break through while washing the dishes

On a recent Sunday morning, Edward Viljoen spoke about Seva, the Sanskrit word for sacred service and the different ways in which Seva differs from volunteering. Although both involve actually doing something, volunteering simply means freely offering to do a task or set of tasks. The key element in Seva, however, is the consciousness we hold while doing the task, the recognition that we are offering our time, our energy, our skill in service to God, or whatever term we may want to use to convey that sense of Oneness and Connection.

Chopping carrots, with love

He recounted the story of Dr James Golden, also a recent speaker at our Center for Spiritual Living, who was given the task of chopping carrots during a Buddhist meditation retreat. Chopping away with great efficiency, true to his military KP training, he was shocked when the monks told him he was doing it all wrong. They proceeded to demonstrate the exact quarter inch by quarter inch size the carrots needed to be. Staring at the crates of carrots waiting to be chopped for the monastery’s lunch, he expressed his concern that he would not be able to chop all the carrots as instructed in time. The monks reassured him that what was important was that he chop them with love, and that no doubt the right amount of carrots would be ready by lunchtime. Huge break through for him, as he realized that indeed the consciousness with which he approached this Seva was what mattered, rather than his efficiency in accomplishing the task.

What matters most, consciousness or efficiency?

Reflecting on this story as I dashed home from the morning service to wash the breakfast dishes I had left piled up in the sink in my mad rush to bake cookies (Seva) in time for the morning bake sale, and proceeding to buzz through the dirty dishes as fast as possible so I could get on to the next thing on my list… (this being Sunday, no less!) I was struck by the startling revelation that I too was totally focused on efficiency rather than my connection to the One life. And not just while performing Seva. I started wondering how many moments of my life am I so focused on getting the task done and being efficient that I loose sight of my place in the grander scheme of things, the wonder of Life, the magic of each moment, the sacred web of love which unites all living things…

And so, I paused, took a deep breath, and surrendered to the moment, to washing the dishes with love, to being truly present to each moment in my life.

What's happening on this blog?

In the case that you missed some of the great posts since this blog has been started, here they are for your convenience.  I would love to hear from you.  Thank you for being a reader.

Julie

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How SendOutCards makes me a rock star with my family, friends and customers.

I’ve always been a greeting card lover – in fact I have a whole drawer full of cards I’ve collected over the years. I’ve even sent a f...

Why an Attitude of Gratitude can change your life

Simply put, focusing on gratitude makes me a happier, calmer and kinder person. Why? The experience of feeling grateful immediately shifts...

Empowered, health conscious, mothers and grandmothers

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What does it mean to me to live well?

What a wonderful question. To me, to live well means to live in alignment with my deepest knowing, truth, values, Self. To be true to myself, to my highest aspirations and deepest longings. To really live well means to be a place where Love shows up, to be more loving today than I was yesterday. To live well means to discover who I am meant to be, my reason for being here on this planet at this time, and to express that ever more fully and clearly. To be a clear channel for what Spirit wants to express through me.

To live well means to make meaningful heartfelt connections with others, to respect, honor, appreciate and enjoy all people. To live well means to cherish my friends and family, to allow them to fully be who they are and to rejoice in the love that we share. To live well means to enjoy the unique dynamics and dance of my roles as wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, cousin, friend, colleague, teacher, student and all the other ways in which we connect and share life’s challenges, milestones and celebrations.

Celebration and compassion
To live well means to grow, stretch, expand, reach, and change while staying connected to that which is changeless. It means to not always believe my own mind, to question my perception of reality, to be willing to see the other side. It means to have a sense of humor and compassion for the human condition, including my own.

To live well means to celebrate life in every moment, to take the time to look up at the sky, listen to the birds, smell the roses, feel the sunshine on my face, breathe in the scent of springtime, walk on the beach. To live well means to allow the awe-inspiring beauty of nature to remind me of the infinite abundance and goodness of Spirit.

Nourishment, stewardship and renewal
To live well means nourishment – to enjoy the fruits of the earth with deep appreciation for its whole food goodness; to purchase my food directly from the farmers who grow or raise it with deep consciousness of the sacred dance of life and death and food; to cook with flair and creativity, to share delicious meals and good times with friends and family around the table.

To live really well means to be a good steward of this vehicle for Spirit that is my body – to care for it, feed it good food, exercise it, listen to its messages, enjoy its senses, appreciate its energy, vitality, strength, endurance.

To live really well means renewal – to spend time away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, exploring new places, enjoying nature, connecting with other cultures, sampling other cuisines, making new connections. To simply sit and be with no agenda. To let only inspiration guide my daily choice of activities. To share this time with family and friends, and also to have windows of solitude and contemplation.

Connection to the One Life
To live really well is to be a part of a spiritual community that nourishes my soul, helps me to connect to the One Life, encourages me to release old ways of seeing and being, uplifts my spirits, inspires me to adopt new attitudes and to be my best self, and offers me the opportunity of giving back in Seva.

Home is where the heart is

To live really well means to live in a home that radiates light and simplicity and color and comfort. Where every object has a place, a function, meaning. Where we enjoy the play of light on the flowering cactus, the heat of the fireplace on a cold evening, the warm evening breeze on the deck, the hawks nesting in the pine trees, our cat stretched out in the sunshine.

My work in the world

To live really well means to do work that I love and that is meaningful to me and to be compensated abundantly for doing so, not only monetarily but also with appreciation. To know that my work in the world brings value, wellbeing and joy. To allow my creativity and inspiration to flow into new ideas and ventures, to make a difference in the world, to help planet earth become a healthier place for our children and grandchildren and the generations to come. To live really well means to create new partnerships, to put together a team of inspired colleagues who are expressing their own gifts in the world and to generously compensate them for helping me to bring my ideas and vision into fruition.

Giving and appreciating

To live really well means to share generously of my gifts, my talents, my resources, my heart, my time, my attention, my caring, my understanding, my being.

To live really well is to enjoy and appreciate each and every moment of this wondrous thing called my life.

Empowered, health conscious, mothers and grandmothers

I absolutely love being a mom and adore being grandma- well, in our family we call that role Tutu – from the Hawaiian for grandmother. There’s that magic element that comes from being free of the existential angst that plagues us in our 20’s and 30’s, and having earned that hard won perspective that comes with time and life experience, that brings us into the present where children truly live.

So, my granddaughters being 5 and 9, and hoping for more down the road….I plan on being around for a long time. And not just being around; I plan on being a healthy, vibrant, active and financially abundant mom and Tutu so I can enjoy, nourish, nurture, support, play with and yes, why not, spoil them all!

So, what am I doing to ensure all this? Here’s my 7-point plan of action for physical, emotional and financial health for empowered, entrepreneurial moms and Tutu’s….

1. Nourish. I consume a wholesome diet of nutrient dense organic foods in their natural, unprocessed state, following the nourishing traditions that kept our ancestors healthy and vital. Whenever possible, I buy my food straight from the farmers who grow it or raise it. Do I eat perfectly all the time? No, I love to eat out and so I aim for the 80%/20% rule. Do I ever indulge? You bet! I love my Trader Joe’s biodynamic wine and my dark chocolate. I prepare my food with love, share it with passion, and eat it with a heart full of gratitude.

2. Cleanse. Let’s face it, we don’t live in the same world our ancestors or even our grandparents lived in. No matter how hard we may try to avoid them, we are deluged with toxins in the air we breathe, the food we consume, the water we drink. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the average person now has 212 environmental chemicals in their blood. Even our airways are contaminated with harmful radio and microwave frequencies from all of our wireless technology. It’s easy to freak out when you start thinking about it. Luckily, there are solutions. So I make sure to incorporate a cellular cleanse in my daily routine. I also try to use my technology judiciously and protect myself and my family with products that emit what my granddaughter  calls “happy energy” to counteract the harmful effects of artificial radiation.

3. Nurture. I nurture my soul by connecting to Life, God, Source, whatever term you use, through regular spiritual practice, involvement with my spiritual community, being of service, spending time in nature, devoting quality time to be with those near and dear to me. And I don’t hesitate to ask for help when I need it – whether it’s a friend or family member to talk with, a spiritual counselor to help me regain my perspective, a new book to open my mind. After all, we get by with a little help from our friends, right?

4. Move. Our bodies were made to move. Like many of us, my occupation means many hours either driving to my interpreting jobs, or sitting in front of my computer. I am also (yes, I have to admit it) a bit laissez faire when it comes to exercising. So I push myself to get out every day and move my body. I love walking and hiking and swimming in any natural body of water. Spending time with my 86 year old mum in England recently also made me realize I need to work on posture, balance and strength training so I can be an upright and steady old lady – hence I started working with an awesome personal trainer, and actually going to her gym, which I had sworn off ever setting foot in again after repeated failed attempts to stick with it! My strategy to make sure I really go: make appointments with my her and pay her ahead of time!

5. Gratitude. An attitude of gratitude is a key element of my wellbeing program. I’ve had my share of life’s traumas and dramas, and my adult kids have had their share of traumas and crises too… not your daily car broken down, kind of crises, well, those too… but I’m talking about those soul shaking, life altering kinds of crises that rock your whole world. I believe focusing on all that I am grateful for has saved me from despair many times, and enabled me to face life’s challenges with grace and strength and hope. For more on why gratitude is so important to me, read here.

6. Entrepreneurial lifestyle. I am not knocking jobs, by any means. For a free spirited Aquarian like myself, however, I find that being an entrepreneur is the perfect vehicle for me to express my deepest self, grow out of my comfort zone, make a living, and have the flexibility to do all the things I mentioned above. The trouble with being an entrepreneur however, is well, being an entrepreneur – by definition, a risky business – potentially very financially rewarding, but certainly no guarantee. Although in this day and age, even a job is no guarantee, as we all know. I can’t even admit to any significant success as an entrepreneur – YET. However, being blessed with a hard working husband, having made my decision to change my financial landscape in a significant manner, realizing I don’t have forever, doing the work to heal my limiting financial beliefs and act grown up when it comes to money and embarking on a learning journey with an amazing internet marketing venture, I am confident that I will get there!

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How SendOutCards makes me a rock star with my family, friends and customers.

I’ve always been a greeting card lover – in fact I have a whole drawer full of cards I’ve collected over the years. I’ve even sent a few to their intended recipients – well more than a few. It’s important to me to stay in touch with the people in my life, and to regularly let them know how much I appreciate and celebrate them. But in the last couple of years, as I have become busier with my entrepreneurial activities, I started noticing that despite my good intentions, those cards just weren’t getting written and sent. Hence the drawer full.


Getting it to the post-office.....
I mean, what’s so hard about writing and mailing a card, right? Well the fact is that many of us just get so busy in our daily lives that we simply can’t seem to find the time to find and buy that perfect card, sit down to write it, locate a stamp, and actually get the card to the post-office on time. That’s certainly what happened to me!

So easy peasy
Then I discovered SendOutCards … and now I can sit down in front of my computer, choose the perfect card from a selection of thousands, or create my own card with those great pictures I took, customize it with my own uploaded handwriting or signature, and voila! With a few clicks of my keyboard the card is on its way… and SendOutcards prints it, stuffs it, stamps it and mails a real actual card.

So, how do I use it? You name it – birthdays, anniversaries, get well, thank you, congratulations, reminders, follow-ups. Or just plain hello!

Would you like to send a free card, anywhere in the world, on me?  Just click here.