In this article, I will outline something I learned years ago. And which could make a big difference for you, also?

What sets employees and self-employed people apart is the distinctions they make. Distinctions of how they see themselves, their attitude to time and work hours. Distinctions in their roles.

Distinctions make a difference. Two meanings of distinction from a dictionary are:

“a difference or contrast between similar things or people.”

“the separation of things or people into different groups according to their attributes or characteristics.

A man I knew years ago worked as an insurance salesman from home. He dressed in a suit and tie and conducted himself as a professional would amongst others at the office. Even though he was still at home.

Today more and more people are able, via the internet and a computer, to do at home, what they would have done at an office. Thus saving time and the costs associated with commuting.

This is where and how distinctions are important.

Let’s say you have a desk that you work from. It may be in the living room. As mine is. Or you may have a separate room, a spare bedroom.

To all those in your household, you need to make it clear, this is where you work. ‘This is your place of work’. And when you are at work, you are ‘At Work’.

You may have young children at home during the day.

With children, make it a game, have fun installing the distinction.

To begin with,

– Take them on a tour of your ‘office’.

– Show them all the parts that make up your ‘office’.

– What you do in your ‘office’.

– Why it is important for you to be able to concentrate. And need quiet time to do that.

– That you are earning money for all the good things for them to enjoy.

– Ask them for their help!

You could say to them, “When you see (Mommy or Daddy) at this desk, I am working for you. So, while I’m here at my desk could you let me get on with the work I need to do.”

Structuring your day is also helpful.

– Set time blocks for when you are ‘At Work’.

– Draw a timetable for the week and paste it to the fridge door.

Distinctions are invisible, intangible creatures. They can play havoc in your mind. Or, are firmly in place with discipline.

You need to exercise the discipline that when you are at work, You Are ‘AT WORK’.