Boss Lady & Bob: The Single Biggest Thing That Made Me a More Productive Blogger

I get asked a lot about how I "do it all" when it comes to blogging. I guess they mean how I blog and  craft and write books and manage to market my blog posts by posting on social media all.day.long and work with sponsors and answer emails and comments and...well the list of what goes into running a blog and business that reaches in excess of 1 million page views a month seems to never end. 

I have to tell you there was a turning point...when things got serious. When I realized this little blog wasn't so little and it wasn't just a blog. And that's when I made the move!

You see, about eight years ago when I started blogging...that was about 5 blogs ago now...I would blog during nap time from the couch or the big ol' comfy chair in our living room.  I actually distinctly remember the moment I decided to start Silhouette School. I was sitting in that chair. My feet were propped up on the ottoman and the fire was going and the Christmas tree was still up although most of the needles were not.

A few months into blogging on Silhouette School though I decided blogging from the living room was not ideal. I would lose focus easily. I would get distracted by all the household chores (or pine needles on the floor) that needed to be done. I would get up to get another cup of coffee. I was typing with my laptop on my lap.  I decided I needed to not just sew and craft out of the guest room (that I had gradually moved into) I needed to establish it as my home office.

I set up proper desk space. I put up shelving on the walls to make the rather dark and drab room more inviting and more fun.

I wanted it to be a place I wanted to be...where I wouldn't mind spending 6-8 hours a day.  I set up two other work stations in the room where I could take blog photos easily without having to move stuff all over the house. 

And perhaps most importantly...the room has a door. 

What I didn't realize was giving myself an established place to work at home not only took me away from all the distractions, it also let everyone else know that when I was in my office - I was working. I wasn't sitting on the couch checking Facebook or whatever they think I do when I'm typing feverishly.

Not only did the kids take my work more seriously, but I was quickly taking the blog and the business a lot more seriously - because this is a business and it should be treated that way!

Creating a designated work space boosted my productivity more than any other single factor in blogging.  Since moving into that office - a space that is uniquely mine I have a different mind set when I am working. I am 'at' work. I have a calendar in front of me, a to do list on my desk, and a spot to leave my computer at the end of the day.

I feel so strongly about having a designated work space when you work at home, that when Bob started working with me from home I made it a priority to make him a proper work space too.  We don't have two spare bedrooms, but we did have a rarely used dining room that we converted into a home office that is uniquely his.



Bob's home office is very different than mine. He doesn't need enough craft supplies to stock Micheal's should they ever run out. He simply needs a desk and a printer - and a place that is all his.  Because the kids are at school all day his office space is quiet during the day even though it's in the main living area of the house....but everyone knows that when daddy's in his office, he's working.

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