The (Professional) Home Studio

Do you work from home or have your studio in a shared space? Interruptions & distractions can really put a damper on your creative output in a mixed use location. Adopting a focused mindset is really hard without clear boundaries & healthy habits. If you can relate- here are some great tips and techniques to help keep your space (however small or large) productive & professional.

 

• Do Not Disturb | This one is obvious but so critically important! Communicate to your family, room mates, studio friends, etc- when my “Do Not Disturb” sign is up- it means just that. Unless it’s an emergency- please let me work in peace. This can be especially tough with children & pets. If you have little ones roaming around- see if you can enlist the help of a family member or friend during structured work hours- or align your schedule with nap time if necessary. Ideally- you can do what’s necessary to protect the sanctity of your studio time and stay in the zone uninterrupted. This also applies to your phone notifications! It can wait- seriously.

 

•  Organize Space | Chaotic space = time wasting. Yes, it takes time to organize your studio, but that time is well spent. It will save you     from searching, breaking things, over spending on supplies you have already & getting distracted by clutter. Organized studios foster creativity, professionalism & help you stay on task. They protect your art, supplies & health. This is an excellent time of year for a deep clean and declutter session. Check out our Studio Optimization course on the Hub for your ULTIMATE studio makeover. Treat your studio like a professional space, because it is one.

 

• Organize Time | Working for yourself doesn’t mean doing whatever, whenever. It’s a lot of responsibility. If you’re working for yourself FROM home- that makes distraction all the more tempting. Creating a solid work schedule is a real game changer. Design a schedule that works for you, and stick to it. By making your work blocks consistent, they become habitual and easier to follow. Pay special attention to non studio tasks like admin, inventory tracking and website updates. Running a creative business involves more than mere creativity- and those are the things we tend to ignore.

 

• Dress the part | Working from home can feel less than professional when we’re wearing our PJ’s all day. If you find its hard to stay productive and get in the zone, try showing up like you would for any other job. Set an alarm, take a shower, get dressed- go into your studio like a legit professional. This also helps you with impromptu social media posts & stories. You’re less likely to include yourself in your content (which is so important) if you look and feel like you just rolled out of bed.

 

• Plan for creative block | If you’re working on something and just can’t find inspiration- don’t abandon ship. Regroup and start working on other aspects of your creative business (social media, website, inventory, studio management, etc.) Use that time for something else and return to your work with fresh eyes later on. It’s helpful to have a list of things that need attention on hand ahead of time, so you’re less likely to brush it off and take a break.