My top 5 ‘work from home tips’ and productivity tips for success while you work from home
- Set a ‘work only’ zone
- Take several short breaks per day
- Take a lunchtime walk
- Plan your lunches
- Have a morning routine
Set a ‘Work Only’ Zone
This is often mentioned but definitely the most important – make sure you have a designated ‘work space’ that does not overly cross over with your ‘relaxing space’ of an evening. Keep it organised and tidy. Tidy space – tidy mind and all that! If you are sitting at your kitchen island unit all day to all night and then cooking and eating there – it is much harder to differentiate and switch off. It is quite hard mentally to always be in the same space so switch it up.
Take Several Short Breaks Per Day
Take regular short breaks to keep yourself engaged. Go to make a cup of tea, have a proper lunch break rather than continue working simultaneously etc. Make sure they are short so it doesn’t disrupt work too much but ensure you have several a day for a mini refresh rather than turning to a zombie! You could do some quick house chores to save time in the evening but make sure you don’t get carried away and let it ruin your work productivity!
Take a Lunchtime Walk
Get out of the house during your lunch break. This is often what you would do if you were working in an office in a city for example so make sure you don’t turn into a hermit by never going outside just because you now work from home. Some fresh air and getting your steps up can really boost your mood as well as a physical change of scenery. You’ll feel much better going back to your desk and it breaks up the day. Perhaps you could make it a ritual pop-out to buy your lunch on a Monday (gloomy Monday brightener) or Friday (the weekend starts here) as something extra to look forward to.
Plan Your Lunches
Meal plan for the week’s lunches. This can save time so you can enjoy your lunch break rather than spending the whole time deciding, cooking and faffing. It is nice to have a tasty lunch but not always practical to cook up a storm every single day. Some people enjoy cooking more than others but try and customise it to make it as enjoyable as possible for you. It will then feel like a real break and something to look forward to rather than an additional chore.
I have a mini whiteboard meal planner that I keep in the drawer. I update it every Sunday to keep on track and it also ties in to make sure I only buy what I need on the weekly shop (which I order on a Sunday for Monday collection)
I prefer these to paper copies as it’s easier to edit! I can’t find the original but here is one similar:
Have a Morning Routine
Get up earlier and have a proper morning routine as you normally would have if you were working in the office. It is important to get yourself in the right mindset before work starts rather than rolling out of bed at 8.57am ready to log on at 8.59am. If you have a routine that makes you feel a bit fresher and more productive, it lasts for the day. For example, wear a nice outfit – not pyjamas. Make an effort so you feel presentable rather than slobbish otherwise you will just want to go back to bed! Have a lovely coffee and tasty breakfast to get yourself started for the day and some quiet time before the actual work day begins.
What other tips do you have? I’d love to hear! Leave a comment below 🙂