If you're new to working from home, it's tempting to call your couch your office and stay in your pajama pants all day. But if you're like us, while comfy, it doesn't make us feel very productive.
Working at home can be a completely different ballgame for some and it can easily cause you to be unproductive and feel unaccomplished if you're doing it the wrong way. We've got a few tips for you to stay productive and effectively separate your work life from your home life.
- Set the stage
- Declutter your area! If you don't currently have an office space, make one! It can be anywhere but make it your own. Clean it out and make it feel open and productive. If you already have one, make sure it's clean and decluttered. Throw away old papers, clean out drawers, and make it a space conducive to working!
- Ambiance. You want this space to feel warm and inviting. Somewhere where you feel excited to work, not somewhere the you dread going.
- Warm lighting! Warm, calming lights like salt lamps can make your space feel inviting.
- A candle or a diffuser. Make your space calming with some of your favorite scents.
- Music/Podcast/Coffitivity Playing some of your favorite music can make your new office feel like your own. There are tons of playlists specifically made for you to focus and stay calm. Or playing your favorite productivity podcast so you can work and stay motivated!
- Inspirational decor you actually like. Cute mugs, wall decor, desk accessories. These can all make you feel inspired and keep you on task!
- Drinks. Staying hydrated will keep you alert and healthy.
- Have a plan
- Fail to plan and you'll plan to fail. Plan for your day. Outline your planner for the day and know exactly what you have to do to stay focused and on task. Otherwise, you will get overwhelmed.
- Time block
- Pomodoro method. If you haven't tried this yet, it's going to change your life! The technique includes breaking down the work into 25-minute intervals broken up by short breaks. We talk about it in Episode 51 with Kate Waldo!
- Time blocking your day. When you plan the day out with everything you have to do, write time blocks beside it, including breaks! It will keep you focused and on track.
- Plan out the next day and time block it. Plan in advance! Plan out your next day, or if you know what your week looks like, plan as far as possible. Then, block out those times so you can see exactly how your week will go and what you need to be doing and when. This will prevent you from wandering off and watching The Office for 2 hours when you should be working. It will allow you those break times and keep you on track.
Working from home is our new reality, but it doesn't have to be dreadful. In fact, it can be even more enjoyable than office life if you do it right. Stay focused, stay healthy, and stay positive! We're all in this together!
