Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, Bsc

We finished the series on affiliate marketing, so by now, there are no excuses: you have the tools, and with zero upfront cost, you can give a shot at working from home.. and yet, a very small fraction of readers will actually try it, even though they are charmed by the idea.

One would think that people would jump at the chance to work remotely, given the abundance of useful tools and knowledge available online. However, we don’t always get started on this lucrative route because of procrastination, a persistent and puzzling phenomenon. In this article, we will discuss the causes of our procrastination when it comes to earning money online.

The unknown can be scary, and that’s a big reason why people put things off. Taking the plunge into a freelance or remote position may require you to stretch out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. When we don’t know what will happen, our thoughts naturally generate doubts and anxieties. We can give in to our apprehension and put off seizing the opportunity for development and growth.

Stress and a need for perfection:

It’s easy to become lost in the sea of resources available to those who work from home. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of looking for work, acquiring new knowledge, and establishing one’s online identity. In addition, perfectionism can make things worse by making people wait until they have everything just right before getting started. The pursuit of excellence might immobilize us if we keep waiting for the “perfect” time, which may never come.

Accountability:

Due to the absence of a regular workplace and a direct supervisor, remote workers may lack external accountability. This freedom of action has the potential to cause unnecessary delays. It’s easier to put off work and get into unproductive routines when there aren’t any pressing reasons to get things done.

Distractions and Lack of Structure:

Lack of structure and modern-day diversions threaten to undermine our productivity when working from home. It might be difficult to stay on task when working remotely because of all the distractions available, such as social media, streaming services, and infinite rabbit holes on the internet. Lack of motivation and discipline may also result from working in an unstructured workplace.

Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome:

The imposter syndrome and feelings of inadequacy can both contribute to procrastination. Even if a person has the education and experience necessary to work remotely, they may still feel inadequate and worried about being found out. These impediments from within can ruin our efforts and cause us to put off going after remote work chances.

How to Beat Procrastination and Make the Most of Telecommuting Opportunities:

A sense of purpose and time pressure can be achieved by establishing clear objectives and deadlines. Create reasonable timelines for each individual phase of a larger project by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable jobs. Staying on task and organized is much easier if you have a schedule or use productivity tools.

Look for opportunities to hold yourself accountable to others. Participate in online forums or seek a personal accountability partner who has similar objectives. Staying motivated and on track requires regular check-ins and reports on progress.

Accept your flaws and keep moving forward, even if it feels shaky or unsteady. Instead of holding off until everything is just right, try to settle for “good enough” and move forward anyway. Keep in mind that making forward is more important than doing everything quite right.

Develop and use techniques to deal with interruptions. Create a separate work location with few distractions, and use productivity applications or browser extensions to prevent or limit your time on distracting websites.

Conquer self-doubt and impostor syndrome by praising your accomplishments and acknowledging your superior qualities. Take time for yourself, say encouraging things to yourself, and connect with people who share your values and goals.

In sum, procrastination is a significant barrier to success when it comes to working from home to make money. We can unlock the door to remote job prospects and the gratifying, flexible lifestyle they provide if we take the time to examine the roots of our procrastination and develop tactics to overcome it. Keep in mind that the most important thing is to do something, anything, on a regular basis. Don’t put off starting your rewarding remote work career any longer; take advantage of the opportunities that exist.