WHEW!
It has been a CRAZY last couple of days. I feel like we’ve been quarantined forever, but it’s only been about a week haha California was given a “shelter in place” order earlier this week and it seems like things will only get more strict from here. When everything first went on lock down last week, my first thought was something along the times of “psh this will be easy, I already work from home!” But guys…I was so wrong haha
I’ve been working from home for more than three years now so I assumed it would just be business as usual for me during this quarantine period. But now we’re more than a week in and let me tell you, I am missing that social interaction! I also may or may not have stayed in my pajamas all day yesterday, but I digress!
I’ve been wanting to do a post on this topic for a while now so I figured this would be the perfect time to bring you guys some of my best tips for working from home and how to stay productive. I know working remotely can be challenging, but I want to help make life a little easier for you in these coming weeks 🙂
#1 Keep a Schedule
During the first few days of working from home, it can be easy to fall into a habit of staying up late and waking up even later. I was guilty of this when I started freelancing and there were definitely days I would sleep past 10 am. Keeping a schedule and maintaining your normal work hours will help give you that sense of normalcy AND prevent you from sleeping your day away.
#2 Get Dressed
This one may seem silly, but I promise it makes a difference! Waking up and continuing your morning routine is key to being productive at home. Sometimes I have days where I look up and realize it’s 4 pm and I’m still sitting in my pajamas and feel like I just wasted my day away. While you don’t have to dress exactly like you’re going to the office, just throwing on a shirt and some makeup can make a huge difference.
#3 Create a Workspace
I don’t really have a set “office” area in my house so this is challenging for me at times. Creating a workspace helps put you in the right mindset to get sh*t done so you can be your most productive self. Whether that’s your kitchen table or the desk in your bedroom, choose somewhere that lets you focus on work. Which also brings me to my next tip 👇🏼
#4 Goodbye Distractions
I’m lucky in that I’m usually the only one home during the day while everyone else is at work which means my only real distractions are my phone and the pups. But let’s be real, those are two BIG distractions haha especially since a lot of my job is done on my phone. When I sit down to work for a few hours, one of my favorite hacks is to leave my phone in the other room so I can’t aimlessly grab it (and end up scrolling Instagram for 30 min). There’s also some great apps out there like Freedom and Harvest to help cut down your screen time.
#5 Make a To-Do List
To-do lists are a huge help for me. I use them to organize my days and also for seeing which tasks need to get done first. I’m personally the most productive during the first half of the day so I start the larger, more important things in the morning when I feel fresh. And there’s just something so damn satisfying about crossing something off your list when you’re finished!
#6 Get Outside
This is one of my favorite tips for being productive while working from home. I’ll never be one of those people who can sit down and crank out work stuff for 4+ hours. Your girl needs some breaks haha and after sitting in front of a computer for so long, I love heading outside for a little break. I’ll take my dogs for a walk, go fly my drone for a bit or walk up to the coffee shop for a change of scenery. Even just a quick stretch in the backyard is enough to get the creative juices flowing again!
#7 Find Some Background Noise
Everyone has their own preference for sound while working, but I’ve found that I need some type of background noise when sitting at the computer. Whether it’s a mellow playlist or putting the TV on low, it can also help trick your brain into thinking you’re back at the office. My personal favorite is throwing on The Office since I’ve seen every episode and don’t need to pay attention to it. Another one of my secret weapons is Rainy Mood – it plays rain sounds on repeat and is seriously the most calming thing ever. Fun fact: this is also a great site if you’re having trouble falling asleep.
#8 Video Chat
Working from home can feel isolating and lonely at times, especially in times like this where we aren’t allowed to gather in groups. Missing that social interaction is something I’ve personally been struggling with a lot this past week and video chats have helped in a big way. Whether you FaceTime with your besties or hop on a Google Hangout with your coworkers, make some time in your day to catch up with the homies.
It’s been a very interesting month so far and I know a lot of us are still adjusting to a new normal while we practice our “social distancing”. Don’t forget to practice self care and bust out some old hobbies you’ve put on the back burner lately. Follow along with me on Instagram and show me how you’re staying productive during the quarantine!
Stay safe & healthy guys!
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