Wondering how to create a productive working from home routine? For some, working from home seems like the dream. But for those living it, it can sometimes be a nightmare! It’s so hard to stick to a routine when you don’t have set time constraints and you’re not rushing out the door to catch the 7:30 AM train.
So we’ve devised 5 simple steps to help you get that little bit more motivated while working from home:
1. Set Working Hours
Decide on what your working hours will be, and stick to them! Even though you have nowhere to be, set your alarm for the same time Monday to Friday and run through a morning routine just like you would if you had somewhere to be. Then start and finish your working day at the same time every day!
2. Use A Planner
Plan out your week using a Getting Stuff Done planner. Or, if you really need help creating a routine use the Win At Life to jot down how much time you spend working, spending time outside, being social, eating healthy and working out – which you still need to do when you work from home. Write to-do lists so you have a clear sense of what needs doing and get started on tasks immediately. Planning out your time is a giant stress reliever and gives your working days and working week structure, even though you’re working from home!
3. Create A Workspace
Working from home doesn’t mean working in bed. Shower and get dressed like you would in an office job. Create a space in your home that can be your own personal “workspace”. Even if this is your living room table or a desk in your bedroom! Set aside that space solely for work and nothing else! Have all the stationery you need to hand, put up motivational quotes, make it pretty with some small cacti or succulents.
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4. Leave The House
It’s unhealthy to stay at home all day and not get some fresh air. So get up every couple of hours to take a work break – make yourself some tea and scroll through Instagram. Take your lunch break out of the house too. Even if you make food at home, pack it up and eat it outside to take a step away from your desk for a change of scenery.
5. Socialize
Working from home can exclude you from the real world. The after-work drinks aren’t as easy when there’s no one to go with from work! So stay connected to the world around you. FaceTime, have hangouts, do some online networking. In this current climate, while we might not be as out and about as we want to be, now is the time to develop friendships and hang out with people as much as you can.
Yes! I have just started working from home and this is such good advice. Especially the social one, it’s so easy to get caught in your own bubble!
erinmayhenry.com xxx
Working from home made my work routine such a mess haha….I need to apply these tips right now!!!!!
http://www.simplicityinvogue.blogspot.com
Having worked for home for 11 years, I concur with all of these – especially the need to get out of the house! I work in television, and would also note the importance of creating an appropriate background if you do a lot of video calls.
https://www.shopwithstyle.com/stylewise/2016/8/5/working-from-home
this is incredibly helpful. i find even one day working at home can be a challenge. i think its because i have so many distractions and i love bouncing off of other people in the workplace. Definitley need to try these steps out.
https://www.thewhimsicalwildling.com/
Great article!
Your daily inspiration and motivation on http://www.letucc.com
The last point is so important people tend to forget! I always remind myself to socialize more often, especially after finishing works with tight deadlines. Thanks for the tips!
https://blog.sittakarina.com
I have been working from home now for 7 years. I began staying up nights and sleeping during the days with no routine. This was great to read and is just what I needed. I woke up today in the morning for the first time in years. I have another question for self employed people that I would love to see you address sometime and that is health insurance. Has anyone joined a self employed association that has insurance or shared insurance? Thanks for your motivation just at the right time.
Yes! Great article! I have a strict routine I try to stick to… can be tricky! The husband makes plans to go out because he knows I’m obsessed with staying home and working.
These are great tips. I think I will utilize this list for my blogging habits. ?
alittlebitofcinnamon.com
I work from home on multiple things. I’m a nanny for 2 or 3 days a week for a little girl, I work as a volunteer coordinator for a small non-profit, and I have recently started my own blog. I find that it’s much easier for me to get in to a routine when I have a workspace, like you said! My workspace changes all the time though. Some days, it’s at my kitchen table to have close access to the coffee pot, and other days, it’s in my actual home office. I love these tips! I especially struggle with getting up and actuallly getting ready!