Working from home can be a game-changer for many- flexibility, no commute, and the comfort of your own space. But with these perks come the challenges of staying focused and avoiding distractions. Creating a work from home routine that supports productivity and balance is essential to making the most of your work-from-home days.
Both Meg and myself have now entered the world of working from home. For myself, my work from home routine began almost 3 years ago now, whereas Meg more recently started when she launched her own Virtual Assistant business! Working from home did not come easily to me, I personally love having human interaction to keep me motivated. I find that being around people and going into work is a lot more natural for me. That being said, cultivating an ideal work from home routine, has been essential in my productivity. And the same goes for Meg, trying out different routines and time blocking hacks are all part of the process. We both find that time blocking out our days, has been a great way to stay on track and get the work done that we need.
Below, we’re going to dive into the ways that you can cultivate that optimal work from home routine. So that your days feel more productive and less draining. Even small habit changes can make a big difference!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you build a work-from-home routine that keeps you focused, energized, and productive!
1. Start Your Day with Intention
Just because you’re not physically heading to the office doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a structured morning routine. Create a ritual that signals the start of your workday:
- Morning Mindset: Take a few minutes for mindfulness, whether that’s meditation, journaling, or simply sipping your coffee quietly.
- Move Your Body: Engage in a short workout, yoga session, or even a walk outside to get your blood flowing.
- Plan Your Day: Outline your top 3-5 priorities to keep you on track. Feel free to write your priorities in a notebook or utilize your digital calendar to plan your tasks for the day.
2. Designate a Workspace
While it’s tempting to work from your couch or bed, having a specific spot dedicated to work can help you mentally shift into productivity mode. Create a workspace that is:
- Clutter-Free: Keep your desk organized to reduce distractions.
- Comfortable but Professional: Invest in an ergonomic chair and proper lighting.
- Personalized: Add a plant or some decor to make the space your own.
3. Set Clear Working Hours
Without a clear structure, it’s easy to let work blend into your personal time. To stay focused and avoid burnout:
- Set Boundaries: Establish work hours that work for you and stick to them. Communicate your availability with your team or clients. Whether you work for yourself or with a team, knowing your dedicated work hours helps you plan for non-work related activities in your day! Whether that be time with family, friends, going to the gym or simply enjoying an evening to yourself.
- Time Block: Use this as a method as a way to keep yourself accountability while staying on track. If you want to learn more about time blocking, check out Cornelia’s YouTube video on the topic, below.
4. Dress for Success (Even at Home)
What you wear can impact your mindset. While you don’t need to put on formal attire, changing out of your pj’s into something comfortable yet presentable can help you feel more professional and focused. Having worked in an office for many years to then working from home, I really noticed a big shift in my style. I wear a lot more leggings and sweaters now! Which is totally ok, I enjoy my workout wear. But it would be nice to incorporate some of my more elevated looks back into the mix. Something I’m working on!
5. Take Breaks and Move Around
Sitting for long stretches can decrease productivity and leave you feeling drained. Schedule breaks throughout the day:
- Short Breaks: Take 5-10 minutes every hour to stretch, grab water, or step outside for fresh air. Even just adding in a 10 minute walk, twice a day, can make a huge difference on your mental health!
- Lunch Break: Step away from your workspace completely to eat a meal and recharge.
- Coffee Break: Sometimes I find going out to grab a coffee, actually helps in my productivity. Taking a break from the computer screen to treat yourself mid day, is actually pretty sweet!
6. Minimize Distractions
Distractions at home can come in many forms, from household chores to social media. Here’s how to stay focused:
- Background Noise: Play instrumental music, white noise, or nature sounds to help you concentrate.
- Designate a time frame to get a few things done around the house: I like to give myself 45 min to an hour every day to eat lunch and then clean. So I’ll save those pesky little chores for that allocated time. Rather than getting distracted and doing the dishes in the middle of a work session. This has helped my focus quite a lot!
7. Stay Connected
While working from home offers solitude, it’s important to stay connected to your colleagues, clients, or industry community:
- Check-Ins: Schedule regular virtual meetings to maintain a sense of accountability and teamwork.
- Networking: Join online groups or attend webinars to stay engaged and grow your professional network.
- Make time for friends: Schedule a coffee date or a workout class during the week, this will help you stay connected to people, even when you’re busy working away at home. Human connection is so vital!
8. End Your Day with a Routine
Just as you start your day with intention, have a routine to signal the end of the workday:
- Wind Down: Review your day’s accomplishments, make a to-do list for tomorrow, and close your computer.
- Transition: Shift from work mode to personal time with an activity, whether it’s cooking, reading, or taking a walk.
- Relax: It’s ok to take time to veg out after work, in fact, it’s rewarding! I used to work long days, and either go out afterwards or head home and go to bed. It was a never ending conveyer belt of work, not much rest! Now, I aim to unplug between 5-6pm and enjoy my evenings of relaxation or if I want to meetup with a friend, I do! I like having the freedom of more choice.
9. Prioritize Self-Care
Working from home makes it easy to blur the lines between work and life, but maintaining balance is key. Prioritize self-care by:
- Setting Boundaries: Log off at your designated time and focus on rest.
- Self-Care Practices: Incorporate daily habits that help you relax, like a skincare routine, taking a bath, journaling, or going for a run.
So that sums up our tips for the optimal work from home routine. It’s not always an easy routine to master, I’d be lying if I said it was something I figured out right away. I really think it took me a year to get into a solid routine where I felt confident in how my days unfolded. Now I know, I can’t work from home everyday, working from a coffee shop or scheduling in person meetings are vital for me to stay sane. But that may not be the case for you, perhaps you thrive on working in solitude. It’s really all about finding what works best for you. If you’re a routine based girly like us, take a look at our 10 Relaxing Bedtime Rituals for Better Sleep. Because winding down is just as important as any workday.
Until next week,
xo
Cornelia & Meg
