5 Tips For Working From Home
Many companies turned to remote working to facilitate social distancing back in 2020, but it's hard to imagine anyone expecting us working from home nearly two years later.
Working from home can be great! No more sitting in rush hour traffic, you save money on gas, you can throw a load of laundry in throughout the day or ever get dinner started early. However, working from home has its own set of challenges from the ones you may have faced in the office.
Check out these tips below that can set you up for success while you work remotely.
1. Create A Morning Routine
Creating a morning routine is so important when you are working from home. Think about it - if you were going into the office you would be getting up, getting dressed, making your coffee (or rolling through the Starbucks queue 😉), making your lunch, etc. all BEFORE you sit down at your desk.
Having a morning routine prepares you for the day and sets you up for success. You don't want to get stuck in a cycle of rolling out of bed just before you log into work and spend the first couple hours of your day waking up when you could be crossing things off your to-do list.
2. Have A Dedicated Office Space
Have you ever been told the advice to not do your homework in your bed? Working your 9 to 5 from bed is no different! While some may be excited by the fact that since they work from home they can ditch their uncomfortable office chair and replace it with the coziness of their bed or even their couch, working from these spaces will cause you to associate your relaxing spaces with work. Instead, set up a specific office space in your home. If you don't have a spare room for an office, setting up a desk somewhere in your home is all you need.
3. Make To-Do Lists
Nothing feels better than crossing things off your to-do list. Working from home requires a level of self discipline to be productive while no one is watching. I've found the best way to do that is with lists! Every day I write down the tasks I want to get done that day and cross it off as I go. Watching your task list visually shrink throughout the day can motivate you to stay on task and also makes sure you don't get behind on any important projects.
4. Exercise, Stretch, Get Outside!
This is a big one and applies to everyone, even if you are working in an office. When you sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, you need to stretch! I like to use my lunch break to squeeze in a quick yoga session or by taking a walk around the neighborhood and get outside! Making sure to stretch will prevent you from getting those aches and pains you feel after a long day in front of your computer. Additionally, exercising even 15 minutes and getting your blood pumping to your brain will keep you sharp and focused all day long!
5. Stick To Your Schedule
Three words: Work Life Balance.
When you work from home, it could be hard to set those boundaries of when is work time and when is not. Have a set time of when you start and when you end and STICK TO IT! Take be familiar with your company's break policies and take them. Just because you are working from home does not mean you don't deserve to take breaks, the work will still be there in the morning ready for you to log in for the day. 🙂
