Work At Home Creatives: 5 Tips To Stay Motivated

One of the challenges of being a freelance creative is coping with the inevitable case of burnout or lack of motivation that we’ve all faced at one time or another. Today’s technology has made working from home a reality for many of us, but the down side is a physical isolation that deprives us of office mates we can turn to for motivation, inspiration, or plain old comic relief.

When it comes to burnout, home-based creatives are at a distinct disadvantage as our companions are pets or children who have no interest in helping us. Drawing from my own experience as an at home creative, here are five ways to banish burnout and keep yourself motivated.

Don’t Blame The Rhetoric Or The Guns For The Actions Of A Madman

Like everyone, I was shaken by the Arizona shootings over last weekend and the sudden, senseless nature of the crime. And like all of you, I’m praying for the injured, especially U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who quite miraculously, appears to be doing well, despite being shot in the head at point blank range.

Today there’s also an article on another set of victims in all this — Jared Lee Loughner’s parents. Reports say they’re devastated, wondering where they failed and truly grieving for the Tucson victims. These two people are hurting in the worst way a parent can… living a nightmare that has no escape… ever. While you might be mad at them, wonder why they didn’t do something about their son, remember we don’t know that. You can at least admire the Loughners for NOT being out there making public statements until now… they’re going through a painful personal hell and are only today facing down cameras and up to the minute coverage.

It’s also become clear in the days since the shooting that while Loughner scared a lot of people and caused a lot of trouble, he never set off just the right combination of bells to be stopped. He was someone who needed help in a desperate way yet went unnoticed. Neighbors and classmates sensed something wasn’t right, but you can’t lock someone up for being difficult.