Staying Motivated at Home / Work

[Big Andy]

Hi everyone. I thought I'd ask for some wisdom from you in my first post.

It seems that many of you are like me, in that we edit from home and eventually mix at a stage. I was wondering how everyone keeps motivated while working from home. What keeps you going, especially when you are just not feeling it?

[HookedOnHardware]

I'm not in post so I can't be specific but wouldn't it be possible to create a separate entrance to wherever you are doing the editing?
Perhaps that will give you more of a 'going to work' feeling instead of 'chilling' at home.

[Rick Sanchez]

Originally Posted by Big Andy

Hi everyone. I thought I'd ask for some wisdom from you in my first post.

What keeps you going, especially when you are just not feeling it?

All I have to do is look at the great number of talented people looking for work to keep me motivated.

[ggegan]

If I keep trying to create something unique I can usually stay motivated. For me the big motivation killer is doing it the way I already know how to do it. I know how to do a really great job without breaking any new ground, and I know the client will be happy, but that is such a snooze. Gotta stay on the cutting edge (bleeding edge), or what's the point?

[Big Andy]

Yeah, it's the energy level that needs to stay up. I'm Dialog Editing right now and if I can't surprise myself every few minutes with a great edit I have to do some push ups or something.

[Jesse Peterson]

I edit at home all day long and I know this feeling well. whatever I'm working on, i feel like the best thing I can do is to not work on the same part over and over for too long.. move on and come back later.

[TVPostSound]

Originally Posted by Big Andy

Hi everyone. I thought I'd ask for some wisdom from you in my first post.

It seems that many of you are like me, in that we edit from home and eventually mix at a stage. I was wondering how everyone keeps motivated while working from home. What keeps you going, especially when you are just not feeling it?

$$$$$$

[Neps]

Working at home.. never had a problem staying motivated.. But it helps that my studio door walks out onto the pool & Lapa (a braai aka barbeque area).. I however have to take breaks more often when at home.. But I blame my fridge stocked with loads of goodies for that..

I can however work for longer hours at home as opposed to being at the PostFacility.. reason being, I allow myself to smoke in the studio.. Yes, I know, Bad for the gear.. But then again.. it's really only gear..

[eastwestaudio]

good coffee

that and new sound toys.

[philper]

Besides the usual econo and deadline motivations, and the general fun of the creative flow, I try to take at least one opportunity to get out each day. It could be as simple as picking up or dropping of a kid somewhere, an errand, etc.. I might get a coffee while I'm out. About the time I'm waiting for the barista to finish my drink I remember all the things I had planned to get done in the studio that day, and then I race back to work.

Philip Perkins

[soundguydave]

Diet coke. It also helps me to set break times, like I'll work up until 2:00, then take a 20 minute break.

[kosmokrator]

simple. Not working at home.
home = private live
studio = work

Good for my relationship, too..

Originally Posted by soundguydave

Diet coke...

Yeah!

[georgia]

Originally Posted by HookedOnHardware

I'm not in post so I can't be specific but wouldn't it be possible to create a separate entrance to wherever you are doing the editing?
Perhaps that will give you more of a 'going to work' feeling instead of 'chilling' at home.

I solved that.. My studio is not in my apt... I just live in my studio. ugh...


cheers
geo

[danijel]

As I recently found out, the bigger part of staying motivated is preventing being de-motivated. That's one of the 4 or 5 cool advices I found in this article on Time Management for Creative People (PDF) (thank you Tim Prebble for linking it from your blog.)

A must read, especially if you feel like you check email, forums, blogs and Facebook one too many times during the day.

[The MPCist]

The news on TV is what keeps me motivated.

[Big Andy]

Thank you all very much for being so open with your own experiences.

I do get a lot of work done, but I felt guilty taking more breaks than I usually would at the Dub Stage. I'm happy to hear that I'm not the only one who deals with this.

[Rick Sanchez]

Originally Posted by Big Andy

Thank you all very much for being so open with your own experiences.

I do get a lot of work done, but I felt guilty taking more breaks than I usually would at the Dub Stage. I'm happy to hear that I'm not the only one who deals with this.

One other thing I find that helps is to get out and meet with other editors, mixers and sound supervisors. Network and get some human interaction. The exchange of ideas, workflows, techniques, problems and frustrations can be very motivating.

Coming from the world of multi-room music and post facilities to having a small two room place, you just don't get the interaction and inspiration of a competitive and collaborative environment. Seems to be a trend. Often I never even meet the client face to face, so get out and network. It helps me stay up on the real world.

[Big Andy]

I agree with you 100%. I came from Music as well; being social was very important. I'm very lucky that I have a great producer on this project and the director is a lot of fun too. I've got them both to come in and do some foley with me! It's great fun, especially when you can see the excitement on their faces when you create something you both feel really good about.

[Whitecat]

Possibly NSFW - well, if you don't work at home, anyway.

[Thomas W. Bethe]

I guess the biggest motivator is helping a client achieve their dreams and do it in a timely and cost effective manner.

I have 5 student interns and they are all very creative and it keeps my creative juices flowing. They come up with some very innovative and novel approaches to problem solving. I try early on in their working here to find out what they are good at and give them the chance to do what they do best. I also tell them that if they run into a problem they should start thinking out of the box and not get frustrated by conventional thinking. It has worked well.

I also think that the person who mentioned $$$$$$$$$$$ probably hit the nail on the head when it comes to the ultimate motivation.

Good topic!

[smurfyou]

I give myself rules like I'm in a workplace. I make sure there is no TV on anywhere within sight. Also helps me to have the "work" computer disconnected from the internet. I do take more breaks at home but I make sure to keep track of my hours so I can show myself how much actual work I've done. Screening phone calls helps too. An actual break outside is good for me, whether its a walk or grabbing lunch/coffee.

I guess this applies more to keeping focused rather than motivating. I think the main motivation is $$$!

[soundshaper]

I've found that outdoor exercise is the best way to refresh my ears and eyes. I go skateboarding most days just before lunch, and when I return I'm ready to dive back in. Sitting on my ass that long is demotivating in itself. Get out and exercise your other senses.

[ggegan]

Originally Posted by soundshaper

I've found that outdoor exercise is the best way to refresh my ears and eyes. I go skateboarding most days just before lunch, and when I return I'm ready to dive back in. Sitting on my ass that long is demotivating in itself. Get out and exercise your other senses.

You should try working standing up. That's what Walter Murch used to do. I had a plan for a dugout pit on my side of the console so I could mix standing up. That was when I worked at Skywalker South and they had a lady who would make me 3 or 4 double cappuccinos every morning, so I couldn't sit down for more than 5 minutes at a time.

[memphisindie]

I just like to work, better clients are motivating, cappuccinos are motivating, I just like to work.