Hey there, it's Tom Clairmont, and welcome back to the Small Business Startup Essentials show. Today, we're diving into a topic that's becoming increasingly challenging in the digital age: maintaining focus and productivity, especially for home-based businesses like mine.

If I'm grappling with these distractions, chances are, you are too.

As time goes on, we're bombarded with more and more distractions. Our phones, the internet, and social media are just a few culprits. I've found that to stay on track, I have to power down my phone or put it out of reach.

I even have to close my email and limit TV time to meal breaks. Otherwise, productivity takes a nosedive, and my to-do list goes haywire, especially on Mondays.

Social media deserves special mention because it's designed to be addictive. Even though I'm not a fan of many platforms myself, I know people who struggle with constant social media engagement.

With a home-based business, discipline and focus are vital to staying productive because time flies, and if we're not careful, we'll wonder where it all went.

I've started incorporating exercise into my routine, which, while great for health, adds an unexpected layer of fatigue to my day. But there are other reasons distractions creep in.

When you work from home, there's a built-in distraction—the comfort of your surroundings. It's easy to get lost in the view or other non-essential tasks.

Working from home also means less external structure and accountability. Procrastination can creep in, and it's tempting to put things off. Meetings with clients can sometimes spiral into unproductive discussions, and self-accountability often takes a back seat.

It's not meant to be discouraging, but I wanted to share my struggles because I believe in keeping it real.

Recognizing these challenges upfront can help you prepare better and establish the discipline and structure needed for a successful home-based business.

Let's tackle these issues head-on because they're not likely to get easier in the future.

Website: www.tomclairmont.com

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