Ahhhh, working from home. On paper, it sounds like a dream. But, it can spell a steady and definite descent into "un-productivity." Whether you're working for yourself (hey bloggers!), finishing a degree, or just goofing off. Anything that has allowed you to take your laptop home, there must be rules for making a schedule out of nothing. The following tips are a few things that help me stay on track and avoid those two hour coffee breaks while shopping for Target. I hope you find them helpful too.
Wake Up At The Same Time Every Day
This may seem unnecessary if you're already on a flexible schedule, but for me it helps lay down the foundations for a full and productive day - when I get a chance to have them. A general rule of thumb: you want to wake up early enough to have breakfast, knock a few things off your To-Do list, and be hungry enough for lunch. It's tempting to fall into the trap of saying "to hell with it!", wake up at 1 in the afternoon and only go back to bed at 3 a.m. Just remember that the rest of the world doesn't operate on these kinds of hours, so potential clients won't appreciate a private message at 4 a.m.
Get Dressed... In Real Clothes
You may be thinking "duh!", but you would be surprised how easy it is to just live in a pair of pajama's for weeks at a time. I feel that the simple act of putting on normal "real" clothes will break the association of lounging around the house, watching sappy movies and sipping on some hot tea with lemon. The quicker we pull up those jeans, the quicker we are in the mindset to actually make something of our day.
Break Up Your Day... With Breaks
It's really easy to go all guns-a-blazing and completely lose your sense of time. Without I realize it, I forget to break up my day and pace myself. I have to set an alarm (sometimes multiple) for my lunch, break, picking up my son from school, etc. Speaking of schedules, have you checked out how I schedule like a boss? If not, check it out here.
Make An Office Area
While I was limited to where I could place my desk, I still make the most of it. If you have the availability to have an office anywhere in your house or apartment, create boundaries by establishing a room or spot that's dedicated to work. No eating and no online shopping. No one person dance parties. Just. No. Establishing this space will help you prevent distractions.
Enjoy
All said and done, working from home can be quite comfortable. There's something to be said about being in your own environment, no one to steal your pens while you're away from your desk and not having to drive the hell-ish commute each day to and from work. So remember, embrace it!
~Meredith
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