I thought of a solution!
What’s the problem? Well that’s s pretty basic problem: I have a ton of work to do for my business, but I only have the evening in which to do it.
That does not define the problem well, so I’ll elaborate. I’ve usually been working from home in the post tax season times. When it is the evening, it’s been nice outside, so I’ve had a distinct problem of focus. Not so much focus, as when I’m working, I can concentrate fine. The problem is that there’s always so much to do besides working.
Partially, it’s a discipline problem. I tend to go to happy hours and social events for a bit. That’s okay now and then, not 4 days each week! Okay, that’s easily solved. Just to hell with meeting new friends.
But there’s the other issue: Once home, there’s so much that I could do! Work on a landscapers project, clean something, outside or inside (not that my house is particularly messy, but there’s always something to do!
What about going to the gym? Or my big distraction, going for a run.
Working outside doesn’t much cut it anymore, mostly because the bugs are pestery right now.
Well my solution is simple and takes care of everything.
I will work downtown at my job longer. Now, I’ll physically be at my job, but I’ll be working on work for my business. I’ll iterate why this is possible and why it is a solution.
Most importantly, only do non-work business work at your place of employment if you are 100% sure they are okay with it. For instance, at my job, they hired me because I had my own business. In my interview, I noted how I am more innovative than typical CPAs. The CFO replied, “I know!” and proceeded to tell me why. Because he did research on me. He also loved that my interests in tax were so broad and that I generally like knowing everything and solving such a wide variety of problems.
My job is definitely results-driven. Once after the prior week during tax season was only 12 hours, the Controller walked into my office and went through the things she knew I was supposed to be finishing. After addressing everything, she said, “Well okay, you’re getting your work done,” and left.
Anyways, I just wanted to say that it is very important to have the support of your employer before you do other work in the office for which they pay. I may have had a seasonal role not turn permanent because of that….
How this is a solution
I’ll be doing work in the office, which means I won’t get tempted to go elsewhere in the long, seven mile commute. I won’t get tempted because I won’t be leaving!
Then, because I won’t be near the outside, I won’t get tempted to do anything else. I’ll just work, and it will be great!
I’m sittingon top of thousands of dollars of nearly-competed work, and all l have to do is finish it and bill.
So you see, my solution to getting distracted is simply to not have the distractions!
I told you it was simple!
The next hope, of course, is to not spend every day working, but instead have days where I am completely off!
Next on the list will be weekend international solo travel!