Working from home definitely comes with it’s fair share of challenges. I have two little kids (read a typical day in my life here) and I recently wrote a post on how to be productive when working from home with kids. I stay productive in a number of ways – I try to wake up early so I can get a jump-start on my day, I tire the girls out in the morning with an activity that way they’re (more likely) to take a solid, very necessary, afternoon nap, I always work ahead of time and I work every single day. Yup, even weekends (I’m trying to give myself one “rest” day, though).

While I honestly never have a huge issue with being productive, I do sometimes get stuck in ruts and lose my motivation to work, find new work and grow my freelance business.

5 Ways I stay motivated when freelancing

I get dressed and do my makeup every day

Getting dressed doesn’t mean putting on jeans and sweater (though most times I do). Sometimes I simply change out of my pajamas and into clean yoga pants and a shirt. It’s the act of getting out of the clothes I slept in that motivates me to be productive that day. I also always wash my face and do my makeup. It’s a habit I’ve had since  high school and I don’t see it going away anytime soon!

I read personal finance blogs all the time

I’ve always been a big blog reader, but since I started my own blog I’ve been introduced to so many amazing personal finance bloggers. Thank you, PF bloggers for motivating me to continue writing, reading, working and bringing in an income every day! Want to be inspired? Check out:

• Budgets are Sexy
• Budget Blonde
• Journey to Saving
• Young Adult Money
• Making Sense of Cents
• Club Thrifty
• The Finance Girl
• Financessful

and a bunch of others that I’m sure I’m forgetting. Seriously, there’s no better way to stay motivated than by reading awesome blogs by people who share the same passion you do.

I constantly look for freelance opportunities

I recently wrote a post on how to be a freelance writer, and even though I am one, I still scour freelance jobs left and right. You just never know what you’re going to find. Sometimes, the perfect job posting is all you need to give yourself that extra boost of motivation (it actually happened to me about 10 minutes before I sat down to write this post!).

I reward myself

Perhaps this is the opposite of what a personal finance blogger should do, but I regularly reward and “treat” myself for a job well done. And yes, it’s normally in the form of a monetary treat, haha (you know, a great cup of coffee, a headband I had been eyeing, fresh-baked cookies from my favorite bakery…those sorts of things). If I get a new freelance job, I’m happy to celebrate by going out to dinner! No harm in that, right?!

I remind myself how lucky I am

I’m a stay-at-home mom of two beautiful girls living in an incredible state doing what I love. Though some days I’m very overwhelmed, most days I have to pinch myself at how lucky I am. I feel like I get the best of both worlds – I get to raise my daughters and be there for every cry, laugh, first step and smile, and I also get to pursue my passion and bring in extra income for my family. Now if that’s not motivating enough in itself, I don’t know what is.

How do you stay motivated to keep going?! Share your secrets!!

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