Have you heard of the "comparison trap" as it pertains to social media? We have a tendency to compare our lives to what we see in our social feeds. Instead of giving jealousy a chance, find out where you should be finding inspiration for your business & how to beat the comparison trap.
Read MoreI've been working from home for about a year now. Here are some tips I've gathered and taken advantage of in that time: + Don't eat while working and DO take a lunch break. Get outside for a walk if possible, and eat in a calm environment. Entrepreneurship can be hectic and stressful, so take time to regroup.
+ Feeling stuck with an idea? Take a shower. Or meditate. Just remove all other distractions.
+ Cook at home. Save money and feel better. It can be tempting to go out to dinner every night since you've been cooped up in the house all day. If you want to get out of the house, go to a coffee shop, bookstore, hiking, etc. Spend that time doing something fun.
+ Have a dedicated space for work and make sure it's a pleasant environment. Light a candle, listen to soothing music, decorate with uplifting colors. Keep a vision board in your office.
+ Think about investing in a standing or adjustable desk, or even a treadmill desk so you get more movement during the day. Use a pedometer or fitness tracking band to stay on track. It can be all too easy to get wrapped up in projects
+ Have structure to your day, but take advantage of the flexibility every so often. Schedule tasks, make a list of what you need to do and categorize it. "Batching tasks" will make your day flow more smoothly and productively.
+ Have a stop time when you walk away from your work for the evening and spend time unwinding with family, exercise, etc.
What have you learned about working from home? Share your tips below!
Now that you're convinced you need a newsletter and have chosen a provider, it's time to write! You may be thinking,"I already write blog posts. I don't have time to write a newsletter!" Don't worry, this will be painless.
What to write about + newsletter tips:
An example from Marie Forleo:
What do you write in your newsletters?
The idea of balance has been haunting me for a few years now. I tend to go from one extreme to another. I'll feel overwhelmed with too much work then bored with not enough. I'll feel anxious about socializing then feel very lonely. I'll feel very inspired and motivated then listless and lethargic.
I think it has to do more with understanding my personality and needs than it has to do with true "balance." I'm still learning how to manage my extremely introverted nature.
Work-life balance, and balance overall, is about balancing energy. But you have to know what truly drains you in more than just the physical sense.
Everyone's idea of balance is different. It is possible to work 60 hour weeks and still be happy or sacrifice money to work part time and be there for your family. You can think of it in terms of what's important to you, but that might get muddled by what you think SHOULD be important to you. Remove any guilt and really dig deep.
Does writing for your blog and inspiring clients make you come alive? Does the thought of a new book and a comfy night at home sound more appealing than a night out? Maybe you don't like the job you have during the day, but your side gig keeps you going. This is all okay.
Spend a week {at least} really paying attention to what gives you energy and what drains it. Make a list so you can consult it when you're starting to feel burnt out, frazzled and alone. It could be as simple as incorporating your favorite yoga class more often or scheduling in a night every week with friends.
Once you know what drains you and inspires you (gives you energy), come up with ideas and ways for you to return to your own personal "center." Your life doesn't need to be balanced all the time. Just know when and how to return so you don't get burnt out. You'll create your best work when you know how to manage your energy.
How do you return to home-base and re-center yourself?
If you're new to working from home and/or entrepreneurship or have gotten off track with your health, this post is for you! Feeling your best will lead to doing your best work. + Drink enough water Drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. Dehydration can cause headaches, muscle aches and false food cravings, among other things.
+ Move your body Set an alarm every hour. Take a short walk and stretch. Download a free pedometer app on your smart phone and aim to get 10,000 steps per day. Bonus Tip: Every 20 minutes or so, move your eyes away from the computer screen and look at something far away for at least 20 seconds. This will reduce eye strain.
+ Release stress Set specified working hours. If you have proper discipline and motivation, you can still take advantage of the flexibility of entrepreneurship, but try to limit stretching your work hours too far into the evening. There need to be boundaries between work and family/you time.
Being an entrepreneur is stressful. It's on you to land the clients, pay the bills and stay inspired. Find a way to release your stress and focus on your own wellness. When you feel good, you do your best work. Try meditating, yoga (my personal favorite!) or taking a leisurely walk around the neighborhood.
+ Eat more fruits and veggies (especially green!) For those entrepreneurs who are working from home, this should be relatively easy. You're not hauling produce into an office or figuring out how to keep apple slices fresh for 6 hours. Try replacing one carb-loaded snack a day and go from there. Eating fruits and vegetables keeps your energy high without the afternoon blood-sugar dip.
What health + wellness habits have you adopted while working at home?
I hear questions like this all the time, "I already have a blog. Do I really need a newsletter?" The answer is YES you need a newsletter. Here are some reasons why:
+Everyone has email, but not everyone uses social media. It may be hard to believe, but it's true. My fiance refuses to join any social network.
+Social media channels are over-saturated. You have a better chance of reaching people through email. People are more selective about the emails they opt-in to receive, but they're more engaged with the ones they do. "It’s much easier to ignore a status update than a new inbox item."
+People won't check your website for new updates as often as they check their email (24/7 these days).
+"According to Experian, $1 spent on email marketing typically provides a return of $45 to $50."
+Your email list is your best tool. These people took the time to sign-up for your newsletter, so you know they're interested in your product or service. Plus, it's already targeted to your market. -OR- maybe you'll discover your market is different than you thought. The statistics from your email newsletter will tell you a lot.
+Offer an incentive. Make it a valuable piece of your work. Use an e-book, bundle of recipes, training videos, etc. This is a great way to demonstrate that you really are an expert in your field.
+Add opt-in forms to the following places: top of your side menu bar (so it's above the fold), in your header and/or on your "About Page." --Tried and true locations from socialtriggers.com.
+Social Triggers also warns that clutter on a website is the number one conversion killer. I couldn't agree more. Embrace the white space!
Aweber - Highly recommended by others, but have no personal experience Mailchimp - My personal favorite. Free up to 2000 subscribers, professional looking templates and connects easily to your website, social networks, etc.
Action step: Dedicate an hour this week to choosing your provider and getting your newsletter set up on your website. Schedule it in!
I’m an SEO + content marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in the industry.
I work with passionate, purpose-driven business owners and marketing directors who are tired of trying to do All The Things and spreading their efforts too thin. They want to know what's working, what's not working, and where they should really be spending their time and money.
But I'll be honest- I'm not here for the people chasing vanity metrics. My philosophy is grounded in people-first marketing and what I've dubbed #SEOwithSoul. I don't believe in hacks and "beating algorithms" as a long term strategy.
Read more about me here.
