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There are two sides to every coin. That is a fact. So while working from home has an abundance of benefits that always accompany it to the ball (either you’re either your own boss or you get to avoid your actual boss!) there are some downsides too, most notably trying to stay motivated.

It is one nasty double-edged sword. All of your responsibilities rely on you staying motivated but because you work from home staying motivated is like trying to get out of bed in the mornings – almost impossible at times.

In fact, a lot of work-from-homers find they stop striving to take their work or business to the next level and become content with what they are earning now.

If this is you. If you find your flow stops every so often, or you start slacking now and then and taking extended lunch breaks to scroll through Facebook, then read on because we have some tips that can help you stay motivated.

Short-Term Goals Only
Long-term goals rarely work for the simple fact they seem so unattainable. WIt is like the whole climate change thing. We all know that we need to do more but because it seems so unattainable we don’t do enough. But if we all started eating locally sourced food or taking shorter showers we would get there. The same goes for your goals. Keep them small and you will get there. Start with something small, like trying to earn an extra $75 a week, and then revel in all that extra cash you are making each month and push it again.

Get Inspired Again
We live in a day and age that is totally dominated by the Internet. But while this is a huge source of your procrastination problem, it can also be used for good too. You could use it to partake in MBA online accredited programs that teach you how to be a more effective business leader. You could set aside half an hour every morning to watch a TED Talk and get inspired by people that can help you improve. You could join a forum that is designed to help people that work from home. All of these will give you that kick up the rump you may need.

Look At Your Vision
There is a lot to be said for a vision board. It could be that you wallpaper the wall in front of your desk or just hang a pinboard to the right of where you sit. So long as you have a place where all your wants and dreams can be seen on a daily basis it doesn’t matter. It could be a house, a car, places you want to visit, a particular client that you want to land. By having something that constantly reminds you of why you are doing what you do you will find your motivation levels spike. You will have a reminder of everything you can achieve if you stop procrastinating and keep working hard.

One thing that is worth noting is the importance of a break too. If the creative juices aren’t flowing, don’t force them. That’s as important to your motivation as anything else.

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There is no denying the reality that, sometimes, life can just get a little too much for us to handle. It’s in times like these when we’re running low on energy and patience, that you need to learn to put yourself first and take care of yourself. If life is getting on top of you, and you don’t know what to do, read some of the tips below.

1. Binge Your Favourite Shows
With the weather quickly getting colder, and the nights drawing in faster, there is nothing more comforting than cuddling up on the sofa and binge-watching your favourite tv show. Since season seven has just finished, you may be wondering is GOT on Netflix? Find out now at netflixupdate.com.

2. Have A Glass Of Wine
Nothing accompanies a Netflix series better than a glass of your favourite wine. Just be sure that you don’t start using alcohol as a crutch to cope with life.

3. Get Some Sleep
Not getting enough sleep can have a lot of negative effects on the body, so be sure that you’re getting eight hours a night.

4. Write It Out
Whether you’re expressing your innermost thoughts in a diary, writing short murder mystery stories, or whole fantasy novels, writing is incredibly therapeutic.

5. Draw Instead
Sometimes it can be hard to express how you feel in words; In these times, it may be a lot easier to use art as means of expression instead.

6. Listen To Music
Music has the power to radically change our mood. Pop on some cheesy 2000’s pop and have a dance around the living room; I promise you won’t regret it.

7. Exercise
Whether you’re dancing around the living room, or hiking up mountains, exercise is great for us for a number of reasons, including reducing feelings of depression and anxiety. Click here for more benefits of exercise.

8. Meditate
Life is undeniably stressful, but luckily for you, meditation is a great way of reducing stress, and it only takes a few minutes each day.

9. Eat Your Favourite Foods
Like when you exercise, when you eat your favourite foods, endorphins are released, which help to reduce stress, reduce pain, and trigger positive feelings in the body. I guess this means that there are no excuses for you not to eat your favourite chocolate bar.

10. Get Some Help
If at any time you think you are struggling to cope with life, it’s always the most sensible idea to go and speak to someone about your problems, whether this is with a family member, friend, counsellor, or a doctor. It might not be easy at first, but it’s never a good idea to keep your feelings bottled up.

If you’re having a hard time coping with life at the moment, I hope that one of these tips or methods can help you out. Remember, that at times like this, you need to learn to put yourself first, and making look after you your top priority.