Working from home offers a number of advantages from eliminating travel time to putting on a load of washing while you do your accounts. But for some the work from home scenario is full of pitfalls that reduce productivity, challenge the distinction between home and work and are fraught with distractions.

In part 1 of this series we look at ways to support yourself when you work from home.

Satisfy Mind, Body and Spirit Each Day

In the past I had a tendency to roll out of bed and straight onto my computer which would consume me with emails and online escapes. I wouldn't eat or exercise. Now I consider Steven Covey's Habit of 'sharpening the saw'. I start most days by meditating, exercising and fueling my body with food before I even turn on my computer. I'm more productive, efficient and joyful in my approach.

Schedule Time for Play

When you work from home and for yourself you realize that your work is NEVER done. So you need to decide when it’s time to say, "That's all I'm doing today".  Set daily and / or weekly tasks, and for the most part, when they're done, they're done. Then it’s time to relax and connect with other parts of your life.

Release Perfectionism

I recently interviewed bestselling author and relationship expert Arielle Ford and she said, "Perfection = pure fiction" - love it!! Sometimes you just have to start and create activity. Don’t wait until it’s the right conditions, everything is perfectly mapped out and / or the stars align – your business is an ever moving, ever changing beast just put yourself out there and interact.