There’s a serious lack of articles with tips on how to work from home (WFH) and I wanted to fill the gap in the market with this guide. Sometimes my sarcasm goes unnoticed. Please notice it. These are my tips on productivity which I nearly always stick to when working from home. It doesn’t mean you’re going to become the poster child of productivity. Because I am very easily distracted by the big device in the kitchen that lights me with its shiny welcoming beacon and beautiful food when I open it. And if you follow my tips, they may lead you there.
The Key to Working From Home
If you’ve recently lost your job or are self-employed but not someone who’s used to being at home, I strongly advise finding a purpose for your days. There are many incredible resources out there to help you learn.
PLAN
It sounds simple and it is simple because these are very basic things we all know we should do but don’t. I always use weekly and daily desk planner pads to map out my week’s to-do list and the priorities of the week and day.
It’s easy to think you’ll get everything done in a day/you’re quick as a rabbit with a barrel pointed at it, but this mentality will only let you down.
BE REALISTIC
Occasionally when I’m penning my to-do list, I start a task with the word ‘finish’. For example, ‘finish editing all chapters’ – have you ever edited every chapter from a novel in one day? Yeah, me neither. And that is a true-life example. Be realistic. Don’t schedule yourself too tightly. Think of how much you get done in a usual working day and take one hour away from that because distractions are everywhere (previously mentioned cooling device in the kitchen).
PREPARATION
Always prepare everything the night before. Apart from food, if it’s down to me, that’s prepared at the start of the week. Especially if you’ve got limited ingredients, my mood saver is batch cooking for the week. The more time you spend in one go on all of your lunches, the more effective you can be with the working hours in your day.
Make sure your working space is clear the night before. If you can sit at a desk or table then make sure to stick to it. Do not sit on your bed. Unless you’re about to commit hours of Netflix binging. Which is totally counter-productive to what this article is trying to achieve.
Get changed. Show-up as your best self. Get out of your PJs! You’re welcome to change straight back into them once you’re done with your day but productivity and growth do not come from comfort.
If you’re doing a home workout prepare both your active-wear and work clothes. If you’re taking your dog for an early walk, keep the lead, harness and litter bags next to the door. Keeping on top of the little things prepare you for a successful day and stop distractions from occurring.
CREATIVITY
Motivation is imperative and adding a creative task to your day may keep your spirits high. Especially when alone and self-isolating.
Here are my quick favourites:
- Meditate using Calm (meditation app which is brilliant if you’re stressed and struggling to sleep or just need a break and to breathe).
- Journal – check in with yourself and how you’re feeling.
- Draw and sketch on a blank page, whether it’s your current view or a scene you plan to be seeing once this is all over (me in a bikini on a beach).
- Do something wholeheartedly for yourself before you start your work-day.
- Do something for someone else when you end your work-day. A ‘thank you’ appreciation email/letter/call.
Remember to always have a separate space for your creativity and your work. This will allow you to mark the start and end of your day. If you don’t have that luxury then a quick shower can help wash away the hours on the chair.
INTERACTIONS
Social media is brilliant but restrict yourself. This is something I struggle with when needing to be self-motivated for my own pursuits. It’s important to keep up with the news and updates so check your informative channels at the start of your work-day and again at the end if you need. Make the news checking minimal. Don’t mess with your productivity and energy.
Do not phone your friends or family until after you’re working from home. I struggle not answering the phone or not responding to texts straight away. Time to show up for yourself first, set these good behaviours in place.
Technology is incredible and social apps allow you to stay connected. This is more important now than ever so do make sure to check in with your loved ones and colleagues.
MOVEMENT
Exercise is important. We all know this so get up, get some fresh air through the window and walk around your house or apartment.
Stretch – plenty of workouts are available online because of the fitness industry being generous and for the health of everyone. You can watch HIIT workouts on Instagram Live or find videos on YouTube. It’s important to keep in check with your technique and live videos is a brilliant way to keep an eye on form.
For a low-key relaxed exercise I follow Yoga With Adriene on YouTube. She has brilliant quick videos for those sitting all day needing neck and shoulder exercises, back stretches for those sitting at a desk. I recently did a home Instagram workout with BodiesByChloe and I am STILL having all the good aches. You can schedule movement any time into your work-day because you’re kind of your own boss of productivity and no one’s around to see you. Add movement to your weekly and daily schedule now.
My Work From Home Routine:
For full transparency, here’s an example of my day when working from home. I always try to start my days with the best intentions. If I can’t get something done, I simplify and realistically (nearly) reschedule for another day in the week. This can also vary depending on your life at home and if there are kids around.
- Acknowledge top personal priority (gratitude journal)
- HIIT & Stretch + quick shower
- Breakfast
- Acknowledge priorities from the weekly to-do list. I usually organise my week in advance on Sundays.
- Work, work, work – your timely tasks
- Lunch break (set a lunch time) – it’s easy to forget.
- My Fitbit reminds me to move every hour. You could set a three-minute timer in which you need to walk around your house or apartment.
- Back to tasks and strategise my plan for the rest of the day.
- End the day by showering or removing myself from the desk area.
- Read a book/writing in my gratitude journal.
- Message people back on my phone – personal conversations
I try my hardest to not snack constantly and distract myself with my phone. Another habit of mine is to keep a separate list of things my mind thinks of doing or remembers, so I can address these AFTER my work-day. No one day is the same and you don’t want it to be. Keep it different. Mix things up and keep a loose schedule.
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