12 tips on how to productively work from home

There is no denying the fact that working from home can create an amount of freedom we’ve all been longing for! But little did we all know, pre pandemic, that when taken out of the office, we lose all sorts of social interaction and a sense of motivation most of us need and thrive in! As working from home can be a dream to some, it can also be extremely hard to others! I’ve put together a list of helpful work from home tips that have helped me and can hopefully help you transition into a more productive work day, from home!!

1.) set regular work hours + make a schedule

Although you’re at home, treat this as if you were to still go into work for set hours. You may be able to sleep in an extra hour since there is no more commute, but don’t be fooled into thinking waking up five minutes before your scheduled time will lead to a productive day!

If you are your own boss, Schedule ahead your starting time, your break times, your lunch time, and your ending time. YES, you do have the freedom to work whenever, and I encourage you to do so, as long as you’re scheduling it out! It does not at all have to be 9-5, or 5 days a week, it can simply be whenever – JUST.SCHEDULE.IT! It will keep you more accountable, mark my words! Read my recent post “5 ways to stay on track of your business goals, to reach the ultimate success” for more tips!

2.) routine + consistency

This one bounces off of the first one (for me at least)! I am a creature of habit and thrive in a routine. You get to work from home and be your own boss, so not everyday has to look the same. Though having a routine that you find works and doing that constantly – will set you up for success! Starting with smaller tasks can help maintain the consistancy instead of transitioning everything at once. Start with a constant morning and night routine.

Every month add onto that whether it be going to the gym twice a week, to three times a week at lunch or before work. Find the one that works for you and keep it consistent! This goes for you work flow as well (one blog post a week, managing social media posts etc!) Setting a routine and being consistent with that routine will help you maintain productivity while working from home!

3.) create a dedicated office space

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m totally typing this on my couch in sweats with a blanket over me. But that’s what I felt would work for me today and THAT’S OKAY! Buuuut, I do highly suggest having a dedicated office space that is not your bed or your couch so you’re not tempted to take a little “10 minute snooze” yeah? 😛 Are you creating your own at home office space or need to create your own at home office space? Here are a few ideas I’m loving and think you will too, Check out my recent post on “10 unique home office ideas you’ll love!”

I am also a firm believer of a change of scenery! Switch it up a bit at the nearest Starbucks, Dunkin, local coffee shop, literally just anything with wifi/proof of human existence and a good cup of iced coffee and you’re golden! Work from home / work from coffee shop… same thing right?!

• It’s also extremely important to create a stress free zone! Something that will just make you happier to be in that area. Aside from full on decor in that specific room, this 100% goes for fun colored pens, office supples, markers, etc! Music and podcasts are just always a yes! Candles also make every space better and you know it!!

pro tip: position your desk to where you are NOT staring at a wall all day. Sit by a window if you can to catch the rays, or enjoy the sound of the rain! If you are in a room with no windows, at least face away from the wall so that when you look up, maybe you’ll get lucky and see your cute co workers (spouse/kids) walking down the hallway instead of looking at paint chipping away!

4.) social interactions

If you work from home, be sure to schedule a face to face meeting with someone.. anyone!! Even if it’s for a short amount of time, it’s good for the soul to not be isolated all day long! If you popped in to the local coffee shop, make conversation with the barista! (That way you both have work to do so it won’t carry on too long!) Call your grandma – I am a BIG fan of calling grandma. No matter what type of day I’m having, a call with grandma is always a perfect go to! Schedule to “have lunch” via FaceTime with your friends! Again, you both have work to do, but you both also have to eat – so take that half hour chatting / eating and get back to it! Multitasking is an incredible thing.

5.) show up, glow up

Like I mentioned above, treat this as if you are going into work when it comes to getting ready. I’m not talking full face, dress pants, and heels now.. I’m just saying to put somewhat of a face on, maybe your cute lounge set, or casual outfit, anything that isn’t what you did or will be sleeping in! This too can lead to one of those “10 minute snoozes” if done too comfortably. Ya know! There’s a saying “look good feel good” and working from home, alone, with no colleagues, or meetings to attend, it can be easy to look *and feel* sluggish always – and we don’t want that!!

Also pointing out that yes, above I mentioned I’m on the couch writing this – I in fact am in a comfy lounge set with no makeup on and my hair in a bun on top of my head… everyday will look differently and that’s okay as long as you’re getting what you want/need to get done and you’re taking care of yourself mentally! Remember: you have the freedom to do this, do not feel guilty about it! Here are a few o fly favorite everyday things!

6.) remove distractions

Distractions are and can be your biggest enemy while working from home. I can guarantee if you’re having a “slow” non productive day, it will 99% of the time be because of the distractions around you.

My phone and social media are my biggest distractions for sure. There will be times I look at my phone quick and no joke it has been 2 hours… that’s INSANITY!! But I know I’m not the only one that it happens to. I have my absolute best days when my phone is across the room and out of my reach! *Though in an ears distance incase grandma calls 😉 turn off the TV!

If electronics are your problem, then find ways to eliminate them from your work space. Are you working at home along with your spouse? Try working in separate rooms for the majority of the day. If you have little ones running around, try hiring someone for just a few hours a day a couple times a week to watch them/get them out of the house to play! Really use that time to dive deep into some work you’re unable to do while they are there!

7.) plan ahead

You can’t create a schedule or set a routine if you don’t plan your work in advance! Whether you do this for the week or the entire month, planning ahead is probably number one. You don’t want to bank on “winging it” day by day, trust me! Create a content calendar, write to-do lists (my bible), plan ahead so you’re able to prevent being rushed or behind on deadlines!

To-do lists and planners are my life. I cannot go a day without checking something off, or adding to it. * I’m an event coordinator, who specialized in weddings… OCD planning is MY THING! I live by them, and will preach them. Make that list.. plan it out.. and be a boss!

8.) set timers

This is crucial in staying productive and not burning out! In order to get everything done that you need to do in the day, set a timer and MOVE ON. Notice the capitalized/underlined words here. MOVE ON!! It’s easy to get “stuck” on one project and start to neglect the others and that will lead to falling behind on your goals!

Spending all your time on one minor thing will 100% jeopardize that bigger picture of your goals. Not to mention if you spend an absurd amount of time on something, what makes you think you’ll be excited to do more of that next time?! We don’t want that, and we definitely can’t have that when working from home, alone! SO – Set the timer, and move on – say it again – set the timer, and move on!!!!

9.) self care

Eat and sleep right, and move your body. YES. This is very cliche!! But there is a reason it is said over and over again… it works and it helps!! You need your body to get you through the work day, and you need it to do so WITHOUT the excessive amounts of coffee in order to still have the energy for your family or your you time activity!

• Meal prep your favorite healthy meals and snacks on Sundays to prepare for the week.
• Motivate yourself to get movin’ and groovin for a workout – no need for intense workouts if that’s not your thing, make time to go for a walk and get some fresh air! Anything that will get you out of your chair and your juices flowin’!
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day! Like, a LOT of water!! This is important!
• Get some quality sleep!!! Yes a full 8 hours is ideal, but we all know that sometimes it just can’t be scheduled like that. So make SURE the sleep you do get, is quality sleep!

I’ve actually just started drinking chamomile tea before bed and it’s an actual GAME CHANGER for me. If you struggle falling asleep at night and want to avoid taking melatonin like it’s candy, I highly suggest trying chamomile tea!!

10.) set boundaries

This is SO important!!! And with the difficulty of it for some people, it makes it that much more important (lol me)! You need to set realistic and healthy boundaries with your friends and family members when it comes to you working from home and or working for yourself.

Some of your friends and family members may just not fully understand what it’s like to work from home, or work for themselves, so don’t necessarily take it personally! Though, I know how much a “what do you mean you can’t do XYZ, you work from home?” “why didn’t you answer my call arn’t you at home?” “I’m off today let’s do xyz since you’re your own boss” “can you do XYZ for me since you don’t actually go into work/you work for yourself” can feel! So the best way to avoid all of these scenarios, is to set boundaries with them. Communication is key – for everything!!

Be upfront with them about how you operate your business and how you manage your schedule in order to achieve your business goals just like any other company. You treat this just as a normal job and they should too!

11.) motivate yourself with rewards

Treat yo’self sis! You deserve it! The best way to keep yourself motivated is to know there is something worth motivating yourself for amiright?! May it be whatever it is that you have been wanting to buy, try, or do – reward yourself! Set a goal (big or small) crush that goal (like a boss) and reward yourself with something fulfilling that will make you want to keep crushing goals and bettering yourself! This can be the smallest things ever like “I want to post at least two blog posts this week and if I do, I will reward myself with a Starbucks iced coffee instead of home made” or as big as “I want to hit 2 million in sales this year and if I do I want to treat myself to a trip to Paris” like literally, anything!!

DISCLAIMER: yes, you can go out and get yourself a coffee even if you don’t accomplish that goal, or take a trip to Paris even if you only make 2 million in sales this year – but then what is the point of rewarding yourself? Or working toward that reward by accomplishing a goal you really want? You HAVE to have self discipline when it comes to working from home or working for yourself, so what better way to teach/learn/adapt to that than setting goals and rewards for yourself! YOU CAN DO THIS! Earn that reward!!!

12.) take advantage of your freedom

What is your why? Why are you choosing to work from home? Is it to be able to spend more time with family? Are you wanting to get more done around the house? Happy that there is no commute or traffic holding you back from stopping at the gym or being home “on time” to cook a healthy new dinner? Is it to be your own boss and make your own hours? Is it to have the freedom to travel more?

What is your why? Whatever it may be, take advantage of that. To the fullest. If your why is because you want to spend more time with family – quit working around the clock and taking time away from them! Is it so you’re able to travel more? Book that flight and hotel and bring your laptop along! YES it is important to work and get things done, but you cannot lose sight of your WHY. What would be the point to choose to work from home to spend more time with your family, if you’re constantly on your phone or computer working, and taking time away from your family? Schedule schedule schedule, plan plan plan, LIVE LIVE LIVE!

Thank you all SO much for reading, I hope this post was helpful and will give you all that you need in order to be more productive while kicking a$$ working from home!

AS ALWAYS, subscribe (down here below for free woohoo!) to be first in line to know when a new post comes out! You’re not going to want to miss them!

XOXO – B

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