Staying motivated while working at home?

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:06:44 -0400

Avoiding being distracted (say by a computer with RP up on the screen) Some internet shopping that needed to be done..BUT NOT NOW, or whatever pulls you away from "work"..
What works for you?

How do you stay focused,,,especially when it is a task you're not really interested in, or challenging in an un fun way (difficult but not rewarding)

I would prefer to not have to resort to "Banning" myself...silly things like unplugging the laptop, shutting off the phone.....locking myself in the shop and breaking the key to the pass through door to the house ..

But it's coming to that, or I build/ rent an off site location for work....

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 23 at 2016 6:15 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:15:33 -0400

Discipline. It's a mark of maturity. If you have it you can work even in a room of rabid orangutans with diarrhea.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jun 23 at 2016 6:16 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:16:29 -0400

I had a work computer and a play computer. On the work computer I limited what I could do on the internet (could always change it but tried not to). With the play computer, I had it in a different area of the house that I stayed out of during working hours. This kept me on track with limited distractions.

Response by PO3 Sandra Gomke made Jun 23 at 2016 6:18 PM

PO3 Sandra Gomke — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:18:58 -0400

When I know I have serious chores (like spring cleaning and painting) to do at home I leave the laptop in the car. Out of sight, out of mind. It works for me because at my age, I forget I left it there. ;)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 7:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 19:20:46 -0400

I take lots of breaks when my focus starts to decline. I work for an hour, break for 15. Work for an hour, break for 20. Work for an hour, break for 30. Work for an hour, break for an hour. At that point, it's usually time for lunch. I take a two hour lunch break. Then I return to the puter to see if I can work for another hour, or so. If for some reason I am unable to work any more that day, I take a week long vacation to clear my mind. By the time I get back I am ready to go back to work.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 7:24 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 19:24:52 -0400

Changing the hosts file on your windows machine (Local DNS) to point Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc to the IP 127.0.0.1...... that's for those that have 0 self control. I've gotten to know myself, what times I'm efficient (night, no people to chat with), what mood I'm in (Usually neutral, If I'm super happy, I'll shop, If I'm sad.... well, I'm usually unmotivated). I will then make an end result and plan from there.

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Jun 23 at 2016 9:10 PM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 21:10:39 -0400

My commute for the past 20 years is about 30' from my bedroom to my office. My motivation is beer, steak and motorcycles. If I don't pay attention to and take care of my customers then I don't get paid. If I don't get paid, I can't afford my motorcycles. If I can't afford my motorcycles, I have to walk too far to get beer and steak. I'm too lazy to walk that far thus I stay motivated to work.