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Audrey JoAnn | Content and Copy Writer

Compelling Copy for Female Founders

HOW I STAY MOTIVATED WORKING FROM HOME

September 24, 2019

I am probably the world’s most inconsistent person. Does it freak you out for me to admit that? It is a little strange… Some days I love having a morning routine, other days I ditch it to just make my coffee and sit down at my desk first thing (ahem, that was today). Sometimes I live and die by my to-do list, and other times I just start hammering away at what I know needs to be done first, and then next, and next, no plan in mind.

It’s the beauty and blessing and also the curse of working for yourself. I’ve read all the things about time blocking, creating structure for your day, and managing time strategically. Heck, I’ve even written some content surrounding time management tools and how to stay motivated for my clients.

And don’t get me wrong — I absolutely think structure and having a plan is important, especially a big-picture plan. But it’s not more important than feeling fulfillment and progress in the work I’m doing every day. So I just want to share some of what works for me, and also how differently I approach staying “motivated” than I used to even a year ago.

Because it’s not something that finds you, this motivation friend. It’s not something that hits or strikes or is this sneaky, unpredictable thing we often make it out to be. Motivation is really about you and your choices, more than it making its way to you. It’s about how you choose to dig into it (emphasis on you being the chooser).

For me? When I first started working from home, I thought it still meant I needed to be at my desk from 9 to 5. I felt guilty running an errand in the middle of the day or going to the gym at 2 p.m. I thought that people wouldn’t take me seriously — both my clients and my family and friends — if I didn’t keep “normal” work hours. It took months of feeling guilty if I didn’t adhere to the regular workday structure until I finally realized: I am working FOR myself to have this freedom to do whatever the hell I want. To build my own business according to how I thrive, not based on others’ opinions.

That realization was so pure and powerful for me because I could finally shake free the idea that I needed to do anything the way anyone else was doing it. I don’t have to look like my friends who work corporate office jobs, and I also don’t have to look like the entrepreneurs I know, either. It’s all up to me, and that is the most freeing thing ever.

It opened me up to exploring what actually works for me, rather than reading all the professional growth books and listening to a hundred podcasts about best time management practices — which I do still enjoy, if nothing else than to get other perspectives. But instead of taking on what I think I should be doing, I can play with what I want my days and weeks to look like according to what works best for me in this moment.

And now, I love that every week is different. I don’t start work at the same time every day. I work some evenings and some weekends, if I want to.  I take breaks throughout the day to check in with how I feel or to get non-work things done. (The horror!)

And I stay motivated a few ways. First off, by realizing motivation is completely up to me. If I don’t want to work on a particular client’s projects consistently, there is normally a reason. It’s either our communication is off and needs tweaking, or they actually aren’t the right client for me to serve. I’ve had to have a few tough conversations and part ways with clients who I was consistently frustrated with or kept missing the mark with. And the craziest thing is it has always, every single time, opened up space for clients to find me who I connect with so much more compatibly.

(P.S. I just finished a book called “Attracting Perfect Customers” recommended by a favorite client of mine that really dives deep into this topic. Whether you offer a product or a service, or even if you work in a corporate job, this book will help you hone in on exactly who you need to be working with and serving, and how to attract your dream clients. I got a few of mine as I was reading it! So wild.)

Another motivation tip that might seem counterintuitive, but I swear it works: If I find myself procrastinating work I know I enjoy doing, I give myself a time limit for procrastinating. Yes, that’s right… I allow myself to procrastinate. I don’t force myself to jump back into the project right away. I allow myself the space to wrap up whatever I’m exploring and create a deadline to get started on the work. It can be 15 minutes; sometime I’ll take an hour break or more before jumping in.

The magic of working for myself is that I can choose where I spend my effort and energy, and when. I know I love what I do, and I know I’ll get everything I need to get done, done. Trusting that, and leaning into the outside-work things that one might consider distractions allows me to enter my productive time with way less judgment and baggage. I can say, “That was a nice break, and now it’s time to focus. I feel good about that!”

And finally, the biggest thing that keeps me organized throughout the week is just an old school notebook where I write lists, specifically an every-week, over-arching to-do list with every single project for every client of mine due that week. I sometimes add to it throughout the week if I get last-minute assignments, but for the most part, it’s a steady roadmap for what I need to accomplish and by when every week.

I keep it next to my laptop, and sometimes I create a daily to-do list based on the next most-urgent projects. Other times I just work straight from the master week’s list itself. Like I said, I don’t follow the same plan every week. I felt the need to for so long, and felt embarrassed if I didn’t, but this process of having a weekly list and chipping away consistently, though not in any particular order or routine, all week long has allowed me to be more productive than ever. And inspired. And motivated to keep going.

I’m not saying my way will work for everyone. In fact, I’m saying it is so, so okay if it doesn’t! Some people really do thrive with every minute of the day planned out. I always *thought* that’s how I was because I felt like I needed to be that way. It was guilt that was motivating me, not my own excitement for what I needed to do next.

Motivation to me is solely about focusing on what you need in order to check off your responsibilities. I need flexibility and the independence to choose what to focus on next. That is the sweet spot for me. And it’s shown in the way I’ve been able to build my business and grow with my clients over the past few months. So just find what works for you, and then be unapologetic about pursuing it.

Like this post? Then I’d bet you’ll LOVE my new free download: Email Templates for Freelancers. These are the tried-and-true email templates I have actually used in my business to pivot, grow, make more money, connect with potential dream clients, and break up with bad clients. Download it HERE.

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Welcome! I'm Audrey, and I adore connecting with female founders and telling their stories in a way that matters & lasts for years to come.

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audskelton

The secret to describing your coaching service, pr The secret to describing your coaching service, product, offer, course, etc. online = talking about the amazing end result your thing will provide buyers. That’s it. 

Never ever ever *lead* with:

✖️You get 50 pages of content!
✖️ There’s over 10 hours of video instruction!
✖️ A free workbook comes with!
✖️ You’ll be added to my private FB group!
✖️ 12 modules waiting for you!
✖️ ... or anything regarding the FEATURES of your product/service. 

(And especially don’t list every single feature as the full caption, please for the love of Pete. 🥱) Think of those items as the fine print. Logical buyers maaaay be interested, but most people care way more about what your offer can change or improve for them. What specific result will it give them? What will it make them feel, help them achieve, allow them to excel at??

The logistical details can go at the bottom of your sales page—and honestly, just totally remove them from your social posts and CTAs.

Trust me... *I know how valuable those detail pieces feel and SEEM from your perspective as the creator* because it shows the hard work and effort you put into your offer. But talking about how much content is inside your product doesn’t mean ANYTHING unless people understand what that content can do for them. So always, aaaalways lead with that.

*steps off soapbox* 

Side note, this picture is from forever ago and is making me majorly ready to cut my hair again. 😂 Should I go for the mom chop?! ✂️
The absolute loves of my life. 🤎 Can’t wait t The absolute loves of my life. 🤎 Can’t wait to see what these two peas in a pod get into for years and years to come.
Our little buddy turned 3 months old yesterday and Our little buddy turned 3 months old yesterday and I can hardly believe it. These few months have simultaneously flown by and felt like a year. Wallace has grown so much and even though you always hear parents say stop growing so fast, I feel almost the opposite. I feel such pride with each new roll he develops, the strength his neck is gaining, and his belly that just keeps expanding. Is this weird?! Regardless, it’s been my greatest joy to watch him grow and his personality begin to emerge. The way he smiles and chuckles when we quack or say “WHOA!” The rapid-fire kicks he does when he has room to sprawl out. His love for walks and disdain for car rides. 🥴 It’s all so fun and special and new (for all of us!), and I wouldn’t trade a moment for anything in the world. 🤎
Jesus’s return is the most precious miracle of m Jesus’s return is the most precious miracle of miracles... but the fact that we’re all facing the camera and even (kind of) smiling in this SELF-TIMER pic is a pretty close second. 😆🥲 Happy Easter and sending you so much love and joy! 🤎
Everything is temporary. It’s been my mantra thr Everything is temporary. It’s been my mantra through the hardest and sweetest moments these past few months, and even more so as I ease back into work this week.

It’s all temporary. The good, the bad, the big emotions, the tenderest moments, the hard days, the beautiful days, the teeny socks, the endless emails, the nap strikes, the stacked deadline weeks, the sweet bonding of nursing.

None of it will be around forever, and even though I probably won’t have my schedule figured out for a long, long time, that doesn’t mean these days of just getting by and praying it all works out aren’t important.

They’ll be gritty, cobbled-together, and messy. But they’re mine. I get to craft these days however I want to, with the sweetest babe on my hip and my honey in our back office chasing his own dream, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Vacations hit different with a baby, that is for s Vacations hit different with a baby, that is for sure. 🤪 The days revolve around naps and feedings, and afternoons that we once would have spent taking 4-mile hikes or sitting on a patio at a brewery are now spent reading, playing cards, and listening to Kacey Musgraves and Tom Petty in our Airbnb while Wally snoozes. It’s not worse, but it’s a different pace than I’m used to and that’s okay. In fact, it’s probably more needed than I realize as I wrap up my maternity leave and get back to work in a couple days. Grateful for these slow days and sweet memories with my loves. Now... we just have to make the 4-hour drive home tomorrow with a dog and baby who both hate the car. 🤣 (PS... I’m sharing more thoughts about how I feel heading back to work in this week’s newsletter that goes out Friday—you can sign up to get emails from me with copywriting tips, business anecdotes, and some life updates too in the link in my bio! ☺️) #babysfirstvacation #laketahoe
flannels + chunky sweaters + squishy babies + gorg flannels + chunky sweaters + squishy babies + gorgeous views = my aesthetic forever and ever. 😍
When I was little, I said I wanted 4 kids, just li When I was little, I said I wanted 4 kids, just like my own family. I wanted a girl, boy and girl twins, and a boy. (‘Cause you can totally plan those things. 🥴)

Then, my parents got divorced and in my angsty teenager-ness, I was like, “Nope, nevermind. I’m good with no kids thanks!”

I didn’t want the pressure of raising someone and somehow damaging or disappointing them. And I was skeptical that a couple could stay together and happily raise a family.

When John and I started dating, he was so confident in us and our future. I’d never met a guy who a) pursued me so openly and consistently and b) made me feel valued in every area of my life. Career, relationship, family, health, faith.

When we went on our first camping trip about a year into dating, we were having one of those deep, wine-fueled campfire chats that seem extra important and lovely. I asked him how he knew he first loved me.

He was so good at always complimenting my drive and ambition, or how I looked regardless of whether I was dressed up or grungy after a workout. I figured it would be a combination of those sorts of things, but he surprised me when he said, “Because I know you’ll be a good mom.”

Uhhhh, what? I was like, “... But you know I’m not even sure I want to be a mom. How can you see that?”

He said in the way I so deeply care for others and myself. He had this unwavering belief that we could build a family, and he wanted this girl who spent a lot of years feeling broken to lead it alongside him.

I know this doesn’t sound very “progressive,” but his faith in me being a good mom healed a part of me in so many ways.

I always knew I was driven. I knew I could build a career and life I loved. But I didn’t believe I could build a family that lasted. Or at least, I was scared to think what might happen if I tried.

Wallace is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me. He made me the mom that John believed I could be more than five years ago.

I don’t know if you ever necessarily feel “good” at being a parent, because every day is filled with mistakes & learning curves, but I will say that it’s the most immediately natural I’ve felt in any role I’ve stepped into, ever.
Would it be too much to gallery wall an entire hou Would it be too much to gallery wall an entire house? Asking for a friend.

Newborn family photos by my talented, sweet friend @jilliangoulding. She is too good! 🤍
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