Anyone who works at home knows that there are times - many times - when you just don't feel like working. Or, maybe things are going on in your life or in your home that are distracting you from doing your work. Regardless, you need to create a structure to your work at home life that eliminates interruptions, temptations, and frustrations, and lets you get on with making a real living.



Lack of motivation is one of the major reasons why "work at home" businesses fail. The effect of waking up in the morning and walking directly from the bed to the desk is enough to make anyone unmotivated. By creating a more work-like structure, you can regain your motivation and earn more money.

First things first - if you had a real job, would you work in your pajamas? No! So, when you get up in the morning, take a shower and put on some REAL clothes. By creating a feeling of work, you will work harder and more efficiently. You will take your "job" more seriously. Have a cup of coffee, sit down to your desk, and get working.

Make sure everyone in your home knows when "work time" is and that they are not to interrupt you, except for an emergency. People must learn to respect that when you are working you are not available to them. Set deadlines for yourself. If you have a project due at the end of the day, have deadlines established throughout the day that represent where you want to be in the project at a specific time. One of the best tools for setting deadlines is an egg-timer. By racing against the clock, you will work faster and more efficiently. There are numerous electronic egg-timers that you can put on your computer that can help you keep on task.

Money is a great motivator. If you think of how much you are making and what you can do with that money, the more motivated you will become. If you are saving to buy a home, get a picture of a house you like and load it as your computer wallpaper, or put it on your desk for a constant reminder.

If you are saving for your child's college fund, put a picture of your kid in front of you and draw a little graduation cap on him or her. This will remind you that the work you are doing is worthwhile and that motivation is necessary to achieve your goals.