Working from home could be easily described as a gift and a curse. Now I don’t work from home on a regular basis as I need to be in the office for regular meetings throughout the day, but on rare occasions I do get to work from home on projects. And balancing work and play in your home, can be difficult. Especially if you don’t have your own place or there are pets in the house. Most of working from home does boil down to being able to motivate yourself and sticking to a deadlines you often have to set yourself. But there are a few things that you can do to help make yourself more productive, and help you get into the right mindset for it.

Stick to a Routine

Whether you’re going into the office or staying home to work, you should follow the same routine. While it might seem like a good idea just to roll out of bed and start working in your pajamas, it doesn’t put you in the right mindset. But if you get dressed, shower, and have your morning coffee (if that’s part of your routine), it will help clear your mind and get you prepared for the work ahead. Even if you won’t see anyone, it’s a good first step and helps create a little mental distance between home time and work time.

Have a Dedicated Space

That doesn’t mean having a spare room to turn into a home office, it just means having a specific space that signals your brains that you’re working. Could be a desk in a bedroom, a certain chair with a TV tray, or when your bed with the door closed. Though the last one can muddle the lines since it’s also where you sleep, and I would recommend a desk or dining table if possible before resorting to the bed.

Stick to a Schedule

This one can be difficult as it’s super easy to just hop on your computer you start working. But like going into the office, you need to have some schedule including meals and mental breaks. When I work from home, I stick to the same hours I use in the office. From start time to end time. But if you don’t have a set shift made by your employer, you’ll have to make one for yourself that’s regular enough where clients will know when you’re available.

Allow Yourself to Take Breaks

It’s important to take breaks throughout the day at regular intervals. They are perfect for your physical and emotional health. And help you from becoming fatigued or burned out throughout the day. Plus it helps you gain motivation and increase your productivity. Some people even use the pomodoro technique developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. Basically you break work into 25 minute chucks with 5 minute breaks in between to rest with a longer one in midday for your lunch. During those breaks take a moment to get coffee, water plants, or stretch your legs.

How do you make working from home work for you?

Love ya,

Mae Polzine

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