Whether you’re starting your own business or looking for a job, you’ll need to be organized and efficient.  It’s all too easy to get sidetracked and unfocused—especially when operating from the comfort of your own living room. As you may have already discovered in your first couple weeks of unemployment, being uniquely responsible for yourself requires considerable discipline on your part.

Now, suddenly you no longer have a boss leering at you from behind his glass window. Nor do you have a time clock ticking on your desk to tell you your proposal is due. In fact, you don’t have ANYTHING except yourself!!  Little wonder, then, that you may become less productive at home.

To get back on track, try the following.

1) Consolidate all of your papers (resumes, cover letters, reference materials and so on) in a central location where it will be out of the way, yet fully accessible.

2) Figure out whether you work better in the mornings or the afternoon, and schedule yourself accordingly. Hey, since you don’t have to REPORT to anyone at this point, why not make it convenient for yourself?

3) Give yourself a break (or two) perhaps after you’ve accomplished the first 5 items on your to-do list.  Go for a brisk walk; vacuum the living room, feed the cat or check in with your best friend by phone. (You might as well take advantage of this freedom while you have it!)

4) Stick to the schedule you’ve established for yourself, but leave time for commitments to your family and friends.

5) Above all, don’t lose hope or get depressed. Whatever happens, tomorrow is a brand new day, and you’ll get a chance to start all over again!