Introduction
Hello, fellow remote warriors! Welcome to the home office, the realm where your commute is just a few steps away, and the dress code includes pajama pants. The concept of working from home can feel like a dream come true. No more crowded buses, no more rushed morning routines, no more packed lunches. But as fantastic as it sounds, working from home can swiftly spiral into a nightmare without the right strategies in place. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or unproductive while working from home, you’re not alone. Listen, I’ve been working from home for the last twenty years, so I’ve been there, and I’ve learned from it. That’s why I’m sharing my top 10 strategies for successfully working from home, based on my personal journey navigating the remote work life. Whether you’re a seasoned telecommuter or just starting, these tips are designed to help you stay productive, balanced, and even enjoy your work-from-home life.
The List
1. Dress for Success
One of the undeniable perks of working from home is the freedom to ditch the traditional office attire. But don’t let the allure of working in your pajamas lead you astray (don’t do it!). It might sound unnecessary, but I’ve found that getting dressed in the morning has a significant impact on my mindset and productivity. Even if it’s just switching from pajamas to a clean pair of jeans and a comfortable top, the act of changing clothes signals to your brain that it’s time to wake up and get things done (though adding in a shower is highly recommended!). Plus, you never know when a spontaneous video call might come in. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and look presentable, even if it’s just from the waist up.
2. Establish Boundaries
In the traditional office setting, it’s easy to separate your work and personal life. But when you’re working from home, the lines can blur. Your kids might not understand that you’re at work, and your pets certainly won’t. That’s why it’s crucial to establish boundaries with anyone else who might be at home with you during your working hours. That might mean setting up a designated office space and making it clear to your kids that when the door is closed, you’re at work. I’m grateful to have a dedicated office now but that hasn’t always been the case. For me, that has sometimes meant finding a corner in the bedroom, a spot in the crowded living room, or hiding away in a non-weather-controlled garage. Whatever it takes! Setting these boundaries also applies to clients or colleagues who think that working from home means you’re available 24/7. Communicate your working hours clearly to them and stick to them. This can be done directly in your digital collaboration tools like Google Calendar and Slack.
3. Dedicate a Workspace
While working from your bed or your couch might be tempting, it’s not the best strategy for productivity. It could even be uncomfortable to you, like it is for me. Dedicating a specific area for work helps condition your brain to shift into work mode when you’re in that space. It doesn’t have to be a full room – a quiet corner or even a small table can serve the purpose. The key is to keep this area free of non-work-related items that could distract you. This separation also helps you maintain work-life balance. When you leave your workspace, you leave your work, allowing you to fully relax and enjoy your personal time.
4. Embrace Regular Breaks
When you’re working in an office, you naturally take small breaks throughout the day. Whether it’s a chat at the water cooler or a quick walk to get a cup of coffee, these short pauses can help refresh your mind. But when you’re working from home, it’s easy to overlook these breaks. You might find yourself sitting in front of your computer for hours without moving. This can lead to mental fatigue and burnout. To counter this, make a conscious effort to take regular breaks. Stand up, stretch, move around, or even step outside for a few minutes. These short breaks can do wonders for your productivity and mental well-being. Investing in a standing desk might help motivate you take rest intervals throughout your workday.
5. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is important for maintaining your energy levels and focus. But when you’re immersed in work, it’s easy to forget to drink water. A simple solution is to always keep a bottle of water at your desk. Having it in sight serves as a reminder to take a sip every now and then. Besides, regular hydration can also give you a reason to take short breaks. You’ll have to refill your bottle or take bathroom breaks, forcing you to stand up and move, which is a good thing. I’ve been using a HidrateSpark Smart Water Bottle for the last two years to help me stay on track with how much water I drink.
6. Stick to a Routine
When working from home, the lack of a daily commute might make it tempting to roll out of bed and start working immediately. However, maintaining a routine similar to your office days can provide structure to your day and enhance your productivity. For instance, set regular wake-up times, shower and get dressed, have a dedicated lunch break, and set a regular log-off time. This routine gives a sense of normalcy, helps separate work time from personal time, and ensures you’re not overworking yourself. Failure to do this can make your days feel like they’re merging together, and lead to you feeling exhausted without realizing why.
7. Utilize a Task List
Keeping a task list is one of the most effective ways to stay organized and manage your time when working from home. Every morning, write down what you need to get done that day. Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable tasks. This can make your workload seem less daunting and make it easier to start. As you complete each task, tick it off your list. This gives a sense of achievement and can help keep you motivated. This can be done with pen and paper, on your smartphone or tablet, a Google doc, a productivity app like Notion, or an e-ink device like the Kindle Scribe. I tend to use Notion for more complex tasks and my Scribe for the simple ones that are easy to check off.
8. Minimize Distractions
Your home is filled with potential distractions. From laundry and dishes to social media and TV, it’s easy to get sidetracked. It can help to set certain rules for yourself. For instance, set specific times to check social media instead of continuously scrolling through your feed. Keep your workspace clean and clutter-free to minimize distractions. And if noise is a problem, consider investing in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. I have a large family and many pets, so noise canceling headphones have been a real game-changer for me. I’ve had success with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, but more recently have been using Beats Fit Pro and Apple AirPods Max.
9. Keep Communication Lines Open
When working remotely, you don’t have the luxury of quick face-to-face chats by the coffee machine or the ability to pop over to a colleague’s desk for a quick question. But thanks to technology, communication doesn’t have to be a problem. Make use of tools like Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams to stay in touch with your team. Regular check-ins can help maintain team cohesion and collaboration, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Plus, it adds a level of social interaction, which can be a welcome break from the solitude of working from home.
10. Be Kind to Yourself
Last but definitely not least, remember to be kind to yourself. Adjusting to the work-from-home lifestyle can take time. It’s okay if you have off days or if your productivity isn’t at its peak every day. Instead of getting frustrated, try to figure out what went wrong and how you can improve it. And don’t forget to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. You’re adapting to a completely new way of working, and every little victory deserves recognition.
Additional Tips
In addition to these top 10 strategies, here are some other tips that have helped me in my work-from-home journey:
- Stay Active and Eat Healthily: Incorporating physical activity into your day can help keep you energized and focused. Try to include a short workout into your daily routine. Similarly, resist the urge to snack on unhealthy foods just because you’re at home. Maintain a balanced diet to keep your energy levels up. To stay active in-between meetings and break up long deep-work sessions, I keep a stability ball and a pair of Perfect Pushups in my office. Last year, I leveled up by adding a desk treadmill. To learn more about improving your health, read Going Green: How a Plant-Based Diet Can Save the Planet and Your Health.
- Use Online Tools: There are numerous online tools available that can make working from home easier. From project management tools like Asana or Notion to communication platforms like Slack or Teams, these tools can help you stay organized and connected with your team.
- Embrace Flexibility: One of the biggest perks of working from home is the flexibility it offers. You can set your hours and create a work schedule that suits your lifestyle. However, while flexibility is a great advantage, it’s important not to let work spill over into your personal time.
- Engage in Virtual Socialization: Working from home can sometimes feel lonely. To combat this, engage in virtual social activities with your team. This could be a virtual coffee break or an online team-building game. These activities can help maintain team spirit and provide some much-needed social interaction.
- Prepare for Virtual Meetings: With remote work, meetings have gone virtual. Make sure you’re familiar with the ins and outs of video conferencing tools you’ll be using, like how to mute/unmute your microphone, how to turn on/off your video, and how to blur your background. Also, remember to ‘show up’ to meetings. Be present and participate actively in discussions. Pro tip: Keep your video on for a stronger presence.
- Don’t Hesitate to Ask for What You Need: If you need additional resources or support from your employer to make your work-from-home experience better, don’t hesitate to ask. Whether it’s a more comfortable chair, a second monitor, or flexibility in your work hours, your comfort and productivity should be a priority. Many organizations offer support for setting up your home office.
- End Your Day with a Routine: Just like starting your day with a routine can help kick-start your productivity, ending your day with a routine can help signal to your brain that it’s time to switch off from work. This could be something as simple as shutting down your computer, cleaning up your workspace, taking a short walk, or journaling.
Conclusion
So, that’s it – my extended list of strategies and tips for successfully working from home! Remember, some days will be more productive than others, and that’s perfectly fine. The key is to stay flexible, be kind to yourself, and remember that you’re not alone in this.
If you’re struggling with working from home or need some advice, don’t hesitate to reach out. You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Feel free to drop me a line on Twitter at @mteuzi – I’d be happy to share more insights or answer any questions you might have.
In the meantime, embrace the journey, celebrate your wins, and most importantly, enjoy the process. For more tips and insights on working from home, feel free to check out the resources I’ve listed in the further reading section.
Further Reading
For more tips and insights, check out these resources I’ve found helpful:
- Remote Work Survival Guide from Wired
- Productivity Tips for Working from Home from Forbes
- How to Work From Home: 24 Tips From People Who Do It Successfully from HubSpot
- How to Create a Full-Time Work Space at Home from The New York Times
- Top 15 Tips to Effectively Manage Remote Employees from Entrepreneur