So, you’re stuck working from home? For many entrepreneurs in the craft and handmade product business, this is a unique opportunity with two distinct paths. Work from home productivity skills are a must.
Option 1: The Work From Home Productivity Pitfall
One option is to tread the well-worn path of many who are confined to home offices. In this scenario, you might find yourself spending a substantial part of your day procrastinating, only to see your work spilling into your evenings. You’ll go to bed with tasks still on your plate, feeling stressed and behind. The next day, you might just roll out of bed and start work in your pajamas.
Working from home, without someone looking over your shoulder or structuring your day, it’s all too easy to fall into bad habits. That morning cup of coffee turns into a time-sink, checking emails becomes a pastime, and Facebook becomes a tempting distraction. Who has time to shave?
It might feel like liberation at first. The absence of the morning rush and office politics can be refreshing. But, as a result, you end up with no structure, spending your day “half working” and confined to one room. Your work starts to spill into your personal life, and productivity takes a hit.
Option 2: Seize the Work From Home Productivity Opportunity
Now, consider the other option: embracing this work-from-home opportunity, specifically tailored for craft entrepreneurs. It’s all about applying a little strategy and discipline and, most importantly, cultivating the right mindset to tackle this challenge effectively.
In this scenario, you’ll find you can finish your day’s work in less time. After all, who hasn’t experienced wasted hours in the office on meetings and water cooler chit-chat?
You also gain back those hours of daily commuting. Suddenly, you have 2-4 extra hours each day. Imagine what you can achieve with that time.
Designing Your Craft Work-Life
Picture working in a tidy, organized office that’s purpose-built for your craft business, helping you feel productive. Then, you can relax and unwind in the evenings, truly enjoying the things and people you love.
The best part is that you can start applying a little “lifestyle design.” This means working on your terms: choosing the hours that suit your creative flow. Why not work extra throughout the week to have Fridays off?
Why not leave your home office, if possible, and work in a cozy café or with a beautiful local landmark as your backdrop?
Why not work from your garden, immersing yourself in nature while crafting your products?
All of this is possible when you work from home, whether you’re freelancing or employed by a large organization. The key is to approach it in the right way and with the right mindset.
The Craft Entrepreneur’s Journey Begins
As we embark on this journey to unlock your work-from-home potential as a craft entrepreneur, be sure to stay tuned for upcoming chapters in this blog series. And don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section, especially if you’re a fellow craftsperson crafting your unique path from home. As we continue this series, we will come back and add the links so you can find all the steps you need to pump up your work from home productivity. Your input matters! Rock on, crafters.