Yesterday I was chatting with my niche marketing accountability partner Frank Dickinson. He was saying how he felt unmotivated and like he had been at his desk for way too long. I totally understood where he was coming from, I frequently feel the same myself. (especially during times I’m doing activities that aren’t incredibly energy promoting ~ like link building)
We talked for a while about it and juiced up his energy level a little bit, but it wasn’t until later in the day when I had a sudden desire to clean the house (which let me tell you ~ doesn’t happen very often) that something came to me.
Who ever said we have to work 5 days a week?
I have no problem (minus some interruptions throughout the day) sitting at my computer for 12 to 14 hours a day. So who said my work week had to be 40 hours broke up into 5 days? Or who said I needed to spend 40 hours at all?
Most of us entrepreneurs, who are now working from home, at one time spent time punching a clock for someone else. That whole 9 to 5 mentality ~ you have to work 40 hours a week and it has to happen Monday through Friday ~ is kind of ingrained in our minds and psyches.
Well guess what! This business doesn’t necessarily take 40 hours a week (after you’ve got things rolling ~ it can take a LOT more during the beginning stages) or maybe I’m not inspired for 40 hours this week, but last week I was on a roll and banged out 60 hours?
There is no one at my office door glaring down over me, pointing a finger telling me I can’t get up from my desk until I finish my 8 hours Monday through Friday.
I think it is something to look at. I know Fridays are not super productive days. I seem to lose energy around noon ~ well that’s most days lol.
However, it doesn’t matter if it’s Saturday or Sunday ~ I’m usually excited and motivated to work on stuff in the morning. So who says my schedule needs to be all day and only on weekdays? I’m my own boss. I get to make the damn rules. What if I want to work from 9 to 1, 7 days a week. I can do it. What if I wanted to bust my ass 3 days a week and take the other 4 off? I could ~ if I could fit what needs to be done in that time frame (and I wasn’t a person who would have an overwhelming feeling of *something I’m not sure I want to identify* to be in front of my computer lol ~ but hey maybe that’s what Frank needs to look at?)
The only caveat I would make on this is to make sure you can get done what really needs to be done for your business in the time you decide to make “work hours” I do also believe in the idea of identifying “work time”. That time where you have your timer out, and a specific task at hand, that belongs only to that task. No twitter. No facebook. No TV. No kids if you can swing it. No email. WORK. Whatever that looks like in your business.
So yeah, maybe this post is an essay in the obvious, but I think it’s pretty easy to forget that you’re in control of this journey and that means how you schedule your time too.
How are you scheduling your work hours? Is it working for you? Would an unusual work schedule work better for you? Maybe give you more energy and excitement to make the “work time” you do spend more productive? I’d love to hear about it… leave me a comment. 
No related posts.
FYI: Sexy twitter button going funky again, it says –
Who Said You Have to Work 5 Days a Week? – This domain is forbidden!
Dunno what the h3 thing is all about, and no link.
Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last [type] ..Update 1 – What DEDC is About
huh I just tried it and it worked fine. Weird glitchiness.
Schedules are very difficult for me. It’s gotten to the point where, day or night, if I’m awake with no pressing offline duties, I’m working. Period.
I have physical issues where I can’t, even if I want to, sit for more then 2hrs at a clip, MAX.
I also take pain meds every 4-6 hrs per day which derail me for up to 2hrs each time, sometimes less. The thing is, I don’t want to be sitting anywhere but on my bed when those puppies kick in, just in case they kick in differently each time.
Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last [type] ..Update 1 – What DEDC is About
You are defnitely speaking to me, not only do I tire of sitting in front of the computer for hours at a time but I also HATE cleaning my house!
Dean Saliba´s last [type] ..Blog Advertising Store- Another Site That Doesn&8217t Pay
Ha ha – that is so funny, I really relate to the alternative activity when you work from home! My dad showed me the answer the other day on Skype….. a robot housecleaner – LOL! So you’ll have no excuse and either work or find something fun to fill in the rest of your time!
Annie @Gold Coast Australia´s last [type] ..Awesome Surf and Swell Pictures and Commentary
I Completely Agree. I Do a lot of link building myself and as you said, that can be extremely draining, it makes me think of all the other things i could be doing and i zone out. I used to work as an intern for only 3 days a week and i remember feeling much more motivated and it could be possible that i even got more work done in those 3 days then i do now in 5. I find ways to distract myself so i’m not miserable, Giving myself even just 4 days a week every other week or something could definitely help!
Hi, Jackie
I couldn’t figure out how to just email you a quick question, hence the “comment.”
The other day you dealt with a problem many people are having with the “Big Arrows” module in that it’s showing code. I can’t locate the link to that post or find it (I know it’s probably right in front of me), and I’m having that very problem. Could you please send me the link?
I know how busy you are, and I really appreciate your help. Actually, I have to say I appreciate all the help you give. You’re terrific!
Thanks,
Carol Burris
Hey Carol ~
Here’s the link you’re looking for: http://internetmarketingformommies.com/your-code-is-showing-managing-the-big-arrow-module/
Easiest way to find stuff is click on the articles link at the top right of the page ~ everything’s listed there in order.
Hey Jackie,
Sadly, I am definitely someone who is attached to my computer from morning until night. Partially because being a writer means the long slow editing process, which never seems to end. Of course, I have accepted the rules of the game.
Still, I have gotten better at list making and following through on the pieces that need to get accomplished throughout my day.
Devin the Travel Writer´s last [type] ..The Sunday Check In- 8-15
I don’t schedule tasks by specific time periods, such as from 8:00-10:00. Instead I use time blocks. For example, one of my self-assigned Monday tasks is to write blog posts for 2 hours. If I feel like writing for 2 hours in the morning, great. But I might write for an hour in the morning and another hour after lunch. Or I might insert my 30 minutes of blog commenting between the 2 hours. I have about 6 pre-planned hours for each day but I can divide them up to allow for interruptions, errands, exercise, etc. I also set a timer to stop, get out of my chair, and move around just for the sake of my health!
That’s very cool. I think I would end up not doing any of it if I did it that way lol.
If it works for you though, it works and that’s what counts!
Hi Jackie,
Another great post. I have struggled with this one. I recently moved, which caused at least 4 weeks disruption to my work at home. During that time, I disciplined myself to cover the basics – do the emails, punch out the odd blog post or fix up content (I have a rather large content site too) and fit in a couple of backlinks here and there!
The upshot of this enforced change in my routine, is that it became painfully (and blissfully) obvious that I had been filling up time spent sitting infront of my computer with stuff that was probably not highest and best use of my time!
Since I have settled in to the new home, I try to focus on the basics as I just described above as my first priority of the day. Then I treat my new plans for that website and blog as a whole new project that I spend an hour on each day. And suddenly I can see the light to start working on NEW, new projects.
Miraculously, my income has not fallen, in fact, being consistent has helped build my income during this move. It was almost as if I had to let go of my need to work the hours9 to 5 (and more) as you mention.
The move helped me focus on the important, discard the unimportant and I seem to have so much more time to work on my health, relaxation and spending time with the family.
This post is really important for anyone who works at home, because it is so easy to fill up the time with unimportant stuff. Write a list of what NEEDS to be done, cross it off when it IS done. When the list is all crossed off for the day you can decide if you are going to do any bonus work (if you are on a roll) or simply Go have FUN!
Thanks again, for your great inspiration, I love reading your posts.
Annie from Gold Coast Australia
Annie @Gold Coast Australia´s last [type] ..Awesome Surf and Swell Pictures and Commentary
AWESOME points Annie! YES, that is exactly what I was getting at. You can spend hours and hours sitting in a chair “working” when really all you really NEED to get done can get done in short order if you know what it is and are really clear about what needs to be done.
Thanks for your comments.
I’m with Lisa up there – I have to write at least 3-4 articles a day to make sure I get the bills paid, then I spend every second I can doing IM work. I feel like I’m losing money if I’m not working. I want to get to the point where I’ve got enough residual income that I don’t HAVE to write every day if I don’t feel like it.
And really – I’d probably be on the computer anyway, so I might as well be working!
Kelly @ Hoover Wind Tunnel Vacuum´s last [type] ..Hoover Wind Tunnel Vacuum updated Mon Aug 16 2010 1-04 pm CDT
Like always I love the post!
Unlike most of your readers, who are probably mommies, I am divorced and living alone, so other than the fact that I’m not getting any younger, I have all the time in the world.
Still, you struck a nerve when you mentioned becoming unmotivated like he had been at his desk for way too long. I too totally understood where he was coming from, because I too frequently feel the same myself. (Yes, especially during times I’m doing activities like link building.
So yeah, maybe this comment is an complaining of the obvious: I need to learn how to (1) manage my time better (2)make my work time more productive (3)prioritize better
Even if your post was “an essay in the obvious”, it slapped some obvious sense into me.
Hi
I take a slightly different view. I too have worked for others but not since 1990
I ran a mainstream business I built from scratch in 1993. When i ran that buisness it did, at times, feel like work. But it was a lot better than the work i did for others. And the rewards were spectacular.
The key to working for yourself is to no longer look at it as work at all. If your not enjoying it try something else. I dont mean in terms of making money, no real business makes a fortune on day ten, but interms of enjoying what your doing.
I for one hate writing (but must improve) whilst i love keyword research, link building and rank tracking. Long term i might concentrate on those areas more than others
I have a friend starting out with a new website she hates research and link building but is an english scolar and techer and loves to write… so we have a match
Thanks for the article its always good to reflect on your insights
regards
Steve@Guitar Amplifiers Guide´s last [type] ..Fender Mini ’57 Twin-Amp
Although I am still working a full time job my work hours there are not 9 to 5 anyway. They are more like 4, 10 hour days that sometimes turn into closer to 12 hours.
My work at home is simply whenever I can sit down to get at it. On other work days that might not be more than 2 to 3 hours but on days off I am usually on the computer from early morning til late at night. I get up from the computer to do chores, fix meals and whatever else needs to be done but am always back at it as soon as I can. I take a break when I feel like I need one. My husband is a very scheduled person so I generally work around his schedule.
Right now this works for me but once I am able to work full time from home I may need to break it up some more.
Glenda Williams´s last [type] ..Relaxing Music Video
Having two little ones at home that I have to take care really doesn’t allow me to have a set schedule. I try to get things done during nap time and after they go to sleep but truthfully once 9pm hits sometimes I just want to hit the bed as well!
I actually wish I could have more of a set schedule sometimes, as I think it would make me more accountable, but we do what we can, when we can. On the other hand though, I’m not a slave to the computer and can go outside and play and go places with the kids and not feel guilty about… I guess I really do have the best of both worlds here.
Tiffany @ Online Passive Income´s last [type] ..Building Niche Websites versus Building a Supersite
Yep, I “retired” myself last year to work from home full time. I can be at the computer anywhere from 8-12 hours per day (taking breaks to fix dinner, eat, laundry, etc.) and actually do that most days. However, when my eyes are tired or my brain is too scrambled, I simply walk away and ask the hubby if he wants to go take a ride to “where ever” and away we go. Most of my money is derived from freelance writing instead of marketing, but I’m working on that.
I have a folder for “Jackie Lee” for all of your emails and you are one of the few I don’t just automatically delete. Thanks for all of your advice and honesty.
Michelle´s last [type] ..Fat Husband updated Wed Aug 11 2010 4-06 pm CDT
I feel I have to bust my ass at least until I’m making a full time income online. I don’t mind all the hard work, I know it will pay off for me and my family over time. I am pretty obsessed with working and have a hard time staying off the computer.
Lisa @ Hammerhead Snow Sled´s last [type] ..Hammerhead Snow Sled updated Sun Aug 15 2010 4-41 pm CDT
Lisa ~ I’m the same way… just remember that you can create the schedule YOU want and work when you’re at your best. It will take less time to get more done when you work at *your* peak hours and not necessarily what someone else has decided.
I agree
Lisa @ Hammerhead Snow Sled´s last [type] ..Hammerhead Snow Sled updated Sun Aug 15 2010 4-41 pm CDT
I am working very hard to reduce my online time to 4 hours a day. I am allowing me to work — on paper, studying, off-computer in other hours, but working toward a 4 hour work day. Life is passing me by while I sit in front of this machine! No more!
Joan Adams´s last [type] ..Golf for Kids updated Sat Jul 17 2010 4-42 pm CDT
Just make sure the schedule you’re trying to create for yourself can sustain the work you need to get done for your business, or you’re willing to wait longer to see results ~ either way, just make sure you’re clear from the beginning.
After taking this past weekend completely off and away from my business, I’ve discovered anew that thinking our butt must be in the chair all day, everyday is a load of crap.
Without rest, relaxation and the ability to reenergize, we are doing ourselves and our business a disservice. No fuel equals no energy equals bad results.
Thanks jackie for helping me to see this last week.
Frank Dickinson´s last [type] ..Featuring Jackie Lee