As a home-worker you are responsible for all aspects of your working life - and the quality of your work will be very much dependent on the systems that you have established to support both your work and your personal life.
If your desk is a mess and you can't find things when you need them, then you are clearly not set up to deliver your best work at all times. And untidiness is not the only way in which we can get in the way of our own success. There are many other - often more subtle - ways of shooting yourself in the foot.
As a Personal and Business Coach it is my job to take you beyond this self-defeating inertia.
The first step here is to establish a baseline (A) and to then set that against the ideal situation (B). The difference between where you are now (A) and where you would like to be (B) shows you just how much (or even how little...) work you need to do.
The following checklist usefully highlights the areas that require the most attention. Aim to complete the checklist by rating each statement with a score out of ten, where ten out of ten would mean that the statement is absolutely true for you - and 0 out of 10 means that it's a completely new concept and it's time to start doing some serious groundwork! Ideally, you will record scores of at least 7 out of 10 for each statement. Scores under six indicate that strong action steps need to be taken if you really want to deliver your professional best.
- My work environment is comfortable and inspiring.
- My desk is tidy
- I have an action plan which I review weekly
- I respond to all phone calls, emails, letters within 24 hours.
- My enterprise is well supported financially
- I have ample tools and resources to accomplish my tasks
- My filing is complete
- I have sufficient personal discipline to self-manage and initiate
- I have a career plan/goal and I know what I need to do to get there.
- I enjoy the work that I do
- I know that I consistently work to the best of my ability.
- I have sufficient sleep every night.
As a coach I like to give challenges and, occasionally, to stick my neck out. My feeling is that every serious home-worker should score ten out of ten against every statement - and if you don't, then you need to look at what might be getting in the way. What might be getting in YOUR way.
I like to work with people who are serious about making things work for them. Complete the checklist, review your business goals... and get in touch!
Alison McVey is a Personal and Business Coach. Visit www.sparkleinbusiness.co.uk for details of the introductory coaching package, 'From Preparation to Performance'.
