1. Get up in the morning, like you would on a work day for an outside employer and bathe. Yes. Get out of your pajamas and wash yourself.  Go to your designated work space and report for duty.

2. Remember to eat breakfast. Again, in case you haven’t heard this before: it’s the most important meal of the day.

3. Develop a mindset that this is a job. Create the same mental head space/attitude you would if an employer was paying you.

4. Have a schedule. For example, I may work  the hours of  9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Or 10 pm to 3 am. Whatever fits. And during this time, I am working. Responding to emails, posting adds, phone calls, etc.

5. Tell yourself – “I do NOT  have all day to get it done.” See # 3 & #4. You don’t have all day. I know it seems that way, but if you want to work at home you have to be professional and get your work done during scheduled hours.

6. Dirt doesn’t matter. Leave the dishes, killer dust bunnies and monster laundry piles alone. Believe me, they aren’t going anywhere. You can deal with them later. Like you would if you went to a day job outside of your home.  If you are bothered by these things, sorry, but you have to get over it. Or find a place to work outside of the home.

7. Take a lunch break. See #2. Eating in important to the body and brain’s function.

8. Drink lots of water. Why? So you don’t sit in your chair until your muscles atrophy. Every time you take a bio break, drink some more liquid.

9. Exercise. Especially important if you are staring at a computer screen. Take 10 to 30 minutes and walk (or whatever exercise does it for you – lifting your arm to aim a remote doesn’t count).
 
10. Fake it till you make it – if your day was crappy – who cares, we all have bad days! It can be made up the following day.

11. Schedule down time. All work and no play, can make you grumpy and not very good at your job. Granted, if you have a full-time job (like many of us do), then allow yourself a day of rest (or even a few hours).

12. Have fun. Remember, you’re doing this because you want the freedom to be your own boss and and have a rewarding career working from home!