Tips To Take Care Of Yourself While Working From Home

Working remotely is something many of us are now doing, whether by choice or necessity, and it can be tough when you’re in a traditional, professional role. Here are some useful tips to take care of yourself and be productive.

Make a work schedule and post it for your family to see

One of the biggest challenges of working from home can be the distractions your family creates. They have good intentions, but the smallest interruption can be a big headache when you’re focused. When your family can see your work schedule, they’ll know when they can say hello – and when they need to let you get work done.

Dress as though you’re heading to the office

You’ll be surprised to see just how much more productive you’ll be when you take off the pajama pants and dress as if you’re in a traditional office.

Practice the one touch and two minute rules

With the one touch rule, you only touch something once – a piece of mail, a document, an email, clean laundry. Handle it right away and you’ll be amazed to see how much more efficiently you can work. With the two minute rule, you do any task that takes two minutes or less right away. Small things like washing a dish or answering an email can be handled quickly so they don’t become attention drags.

Step away from the computer and get some fresh air

If you’re in the habit of working through your lunch break, STOP. It’s important to take some time for yourself during the day – just like you would if you were at the office.

Step away from your computer. Grab some lunch. Walk around your block or simply step outside and smell the fresh air. Stretch. Make a quick phone call, read a few pages of a book, or do anything that is decidedly NOT work.

Try a change of scenery

Try working from a different location on occasion, like a coffee shop or library. Pack up your laptop and head to a park with wifi, your favorite local cafe, or another spot where you can get some work done. This can be just what you need to get your motivated.

Create a focused space for your office

A focused space where you can go to get work done helps you get into the right mindset and minimizes distractions. Don’t have a room you can turn into an office? Consider a walk-in closet, creative use of partitions and screens, or an unused corner of a room that’s technically for something else. But, do not use your bedroom for an office. This is where you go at the end of the day to relax and wind down – not focus and be productive.

Get ready for the next day

At day’s end, make a priority list with three things you’ll accomplish the next day. This lets you start your morning with focus instead of scrambling to figure out what to do.

Keep your morning work routine

The best way to get into the right mindset for work is to follow your regular work routine. If that means grabbing a coffee and spending five minutes reading the news before diving into emails, that’s fine. If that means calling a colleague on Zoom to replicate your morning catch-up, do that.

One part you can skip? Your commute!

Use software to be more productive

Take advantage of task managers and workflow management software.

If you have tools at your disposal to help you stay focused, plan your day, and be more productive – use them!

Many companies have a suite of software available for employees, and self-employed people can take advantage of various free programs online.

Now that millions of people have had a chance to work from home, we’ve learned quite a bit in terms of what works and what doesn’t.

If you want to work at home effectively and efficiently, putting these tips into action will make a big difference.

Originally published on The Simplicity Habit.