7 Tips for Success when Working from Home

Since the covid pandemic, more and more companies are offering remote options to their employees. With this change in workplace scenery comes the added challenge of staying focused while working from home. 

Here are 7 tips to thrive at home and successfully tackle the workday. 

1. Have a set morning routine. While rolling out of bed and logging onto work while still in your pajamas is tempting, it’s not the most conducive set up for a productive work day. Wake up at the same time every day and go through your morning routine (whether that be brewing coffee or getting in your morning meditation). Your morning sets the tone for the day and you want to start it off right. 
2. Find the right spot to work. Having a set place to do work helps train your brain knowing when it should be “on” and “off”. Working at a desk or going to a coffee shop are both great ideas. 
3. Plan out a schedule. This schedule includes hours you start working, finish working, and take breaks. No need to be rigid when it comes to your schedule. It’s ok to be flexible. Even having a rough outline will help you stay on top of your goals. Try a calendar application to help plan out your day by the hour. 
4. Take breaks! Everyone needs a little break from work. It could be a mental break of listening to your favorite podcast, or a physical break by taking a short 10 minute walk. It may seem hard to peel yourself away from your desk, but these breaks will help to refresh you so that you will be more focused upon returning. 
5. Implement boundaries. Be sure your work isn’t affecting your home life by implementing boundaries to your workday. It may be tempting to get work done after hours, but this will affect your relationships with your partner and children. Be sure to spend ample time with them and mentally clock out at the end of the day. It’s important to be present with loved ones just as much as it’s important to be present at work. Boundaries are also important for the people you live with. Let them know you need quiet time to work for a certain amount of time. 
6. Make time to see people in person. Working from home is hard socially because we are not interacting with our coworkers in person. Be sure to prioritize seeing people in person whether it’s grabbing coffee with your coworker or lunch with a client. Sometimes it’s as simple as leaving the house.
7. Communicate clearly with coworkers. Since you’re not seeing coworkers throughout the day it takes extra effort to communicate to your boss and coworkers any problems or updates you have during work. 

There are many pros and cons to working from home. There’s more time to take breaks and cook home cooked meals. However, it may be harder to focus. With these tips you will be thriving in your workday.