I get this question a lot. Working from home is both a blessing and a challenge. A blessing because my commute to work on most days consists of walking across the hall to my office. At the same time, it is a challenge. On those days when I am feeling a little more sleepy than usual it is very tempting to crawl right back into my cozy bed.  So how do I do it? Well, I try to keep to a basic routine and reward myself when I have been a good kid.

First and most importantly, get dressed. For me, it is easy to want to lounge around in pj's all day, the problem with that is you get to the end of the day and you just feel like crap. Plus, as mom says, you never know who is going to show up at the door. I would hate for a client to show up and answer the door in my pajamas. So, definitely get dressed.

Start with a blog. Blogging is a great way to get my head in the game. I usually edit an image or two and get to pour my thoughts out. The process of writing gets my creative juices flowing and keeping a regular blog makes me constantly push to find something to write about. So, even in the slower times I have something to keep me going.

Reward thyself. Oh yes. It is easy to get so wrapped up in work that you slog straight through without hardly lifting your head. The problem is that doing so is 1. it's not good for the body 2. it's not good for the head. So I take breaks. After I blog in the morning I take a break to have breakfast and a cup of tea while I have some love time with the kittens. My next break might be doing a quick clean up around the house or going for a short walk. The important thing is to just step away from the computer.

Keep a list. I have always been a list maker. Or rather, a list checker off-er. Checking things off my list just plain feels good. So every day I compile a list of the things that I must get done, and a list of things that would be good to get done. After I get through the must-do's I get to the should-do's. This is a great way to keep me on track.

Get some exercise. Every day I strive to do something active. For me it is cross-fit. This is what keeps the juices flowing and makes those longs days of editing, accounting, album design, marketing, etc etc fly right by. Plus it is a great excuse to get out of the digital darkroom and speak to (gasp) real live people.

So those are the big things for me. What about you?