How to Productively Work from Home

During this strange time in history, we are all stuck inside either not working, unemployed, or working from home. We have all had to figure out ways of being at home and staying productive. For some, this was easy. I am used to doing client calls and podcast recordings, so this self-isolation period has been cake. However, some of us have children or elderly parents to take care of. The restriction of not being able to leave the house is affecting others mentally and emotionally. Trying to live 24/hours a day with loved ones, can start to become frustrating. Other’s are running out of things to do after cleaning and organizing their entire house. Some are creating meaningful or hilarious content for us all and some of us are alone and yearn for someone’s physical touch more than anything.

This time is not easy. I hear you, I see you, I feel you. We are antsy, emotional, annoyed, and have no sense of time awareness. If you’re working from home at your current job, working on your resume to get you prepared for job hunting, or starting that online business you’ve always wanted, than these tips may be incredibly helpful for staying productive during your quarantine days.

I’m completely obsessed with my Google Calendar. If you haven’t hopped on this train, you’re missing out. I am a recovered Perfectionist and thrive on structure. Who’s with me? What I have found helpful for me when I’m working from home is having clear boundaries with my time. I know and plan when I will “start my work day.” Another important thing I do is schedule when I will finish. When we can’t escape work (home), you will never walk away. This is a common issue for Entrepreneurs that work from home. Scheduling out time blocks can be a life changer when your work day is getting muddled and seeps into other parts of your life, like family time. You gotta know when to turn it off.

To get you going in the morning, or whenever you start your day, schedule important things or required things first. That way you’re more motivated to show up. Another thing I like to do is 15-30 minutes before I finish my “work day,” is reflect on what I still need to get done and schedule it into the next day. I love doing this because I don’t have to be scrambling when I finish or figure out a to-do list the next morning. So helpful! Whether you use a planner, digital calendar or a poster with times on it, block out a specific time for work and a specific time for rest.

Now that your entire home is your workplace, do ever find yourself having zoom meetings in your bed? Or working on a project while you eat lunch at the kitchen table? Setting up boundaries with the rooms in your home can help to differentiate between what space is for what activities. I have deemed my kitchen for only cooking, my bedroom for only sleeping & sex, my living room for reading & entertainment, my dining area for eating, and finally my office for only WORK. I try my hardest not to let any of those boundaries blur. My mind can stay active, I won’t get distracted, and my body won’t think it’s time for something else, like eating. This is one of the more simple steps that can be initiated right away, no scheduling apps involved. If you don’t have an office, choose a space in your home called a “work station.” Keep it clean, and just for work.

No one can work for hours on end without a break. It can be incredibly draining and unproductive when it comes to having a successful day. When setting up your schedule, make sure to pepper in some strategic break times. It gives your mind a rest and you can come back to whatever you were doing with a fresh perspective. Breaks can mean different things for everyone. It can mean getting outside, playing with your pet or children, eating a meal, calling a friend, among other things. More often than not, break times consist of scrolling on social media. We habitually grab our phones without even thinking about it. The problem with this during work-day breaks, is that our minds never turn off. We remain actively engaged or worse feeling crappy becuse we’ve just compared ourselves to what someone else is doing. Coming back to a project wired and upset about our progress is not what breaks are for. There is a time for social media scrolling, perhaps after a workday or even beforehand. However, during the day, breaks should be focused on true rest, stillness, and connection.

Our world is full of things that stimulate our attention. From TV, to media, to games, to music, the entertainment industry is thriving because we are hungry for constant engagement. Why do we feel like we always have to be connected? Do we have a fear of FOMO? Do we feel like what we are doing is not exciting or engaging enough, that we have to reach for these mediums? Whatever your reason is for getting distracted by entertainment, it can take a toll on your productivity levels. A few tricks I have tried recently has been to put my phone on Do Not Disturb mode when I wanna really focus. This way you won’t hear vibrations or see notifications as they happen. By doing this, your honoring yourself and your time. Turn off everything else, such as music or TV, and work in silence. Clear out the clutter of distractions and you’ll start to see a difference in how much you get done in one stint.

Accountability can look many different ways. When I want to be productive, I seek out individuals in my life that are motivated and push me to be better. I call them my Accountability Buddies. Just having someone to hold us to what we say we are going to do is so powerful. Having that Accountability Buddy to check in on me helps me to live into my integrity. They ask about my progress, give me some pointers, and are incredbily solution based. They listen and ask the tough questions that we don’t wanna hear, but need to. Even if it’s your partner, mom, sibling, or best friend, having this person to help you accomplish your goals can UP your productivity GAME.

When it comes to Accountability, that’s where Health Coaches are leading the way. As a Health Coach myself, I check in with clients regularly to make sure they are on track with whatever success looks like for them. We challenge individuals to be better than they were the day before by making lasting and sustainable changes.

Are you looking for someone like that to hold YOU accountable for being productive? Let’s chat. I have seen incredible results in productivity from my clients from just a few actionable steps. My coaching sessions are all about working together to come up with a plan that suits you and your specific needs.

Do you have any amazing ideas for staying productive? I would LOVE to hear from you! Comment below or tag me on IG! Let me know which of these ideas you already use or want to try while in self-isolation. Stay safe and productive out there.