Originally posted by @mchill
Leaving the world of partisan politics for awhile, I was wondering if there are any self employed people here who occasionally have issues motivating themselves to work when there is no boss around to make sure they do. I have a growing business doing insurance verification and billing for doctors, but there are times when the thought of going door to door a ...[text shortened]... do some of you self employed folks do to motivate yourself to work when you don't feel like it?
While my "main" job is for an organization, I have a partnership that's my "side" job. I'm not the marketing side, so I can't really speak to things like cold calls and pavement pounding, but I do have plenty of dreary, tedious things that need to be done.
My strategy is to work in bursts. I might sit down one day after supper at 6:30 and say "I'm going to do <almost impossible task> by 10. Then, if I'm done by 10 I get to goof off the next night or something. Just getting yourself started builds momentum. Once you get rolling on something, it almost always seems more manageable than it seemed before you started. Set short term goals and give yourself some sort of reward for accomplishing something.
Also when you're alone, do things to get your juices flowing. Use a standing desk. Walk around the room or up and down the halls while on the phone. Take a walk during lunch. Keep a 20 lb dumbell on your desk and do curls when thinking to keep your muscles in motion. Vary your tasks to keep your mind engaged. Take breaks but limit them to x minutes and be firm about the limits.
Above all, stay positive. You're growing your business. You're a successful entrepreneur. You're contributing to the economy and your own and your family's future security.You're a one-man force and your clients need your services for their convenience and to operate most efficiently.
Now, go out and win one for the Gipper!