This month marks one year since I started working at home due to the pandemic.
To celebrate one of the most productive years in my life, here are:
6 Key Tips For Working From Home
(Plus Some Bonuses)
//THREAD\\
To frame this thread, I wanted to start with this quote:
"Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important." -Stephen Covey
While working at home, it can be very easy to get sucked into busywork; this thread's points will prevent that.
1) Structure
When I started working from home, the first thing I considered was structure; the last thing I wanted was to get distracted.
Think about your schedule at the office, and replicate it at home.
This includes commute and breaks...
Just because you don't commute doesn't mean you sleep in now, get up and use that time productively for yourself.
Just because you can eat whenever doesn't mean you should not take breaks.
Schedule the time into your calendar; you would do it at the office, do it at home.
2) Have a dedicated workspace
Ideally, you would want an office at home, but as an example, I have a nook space in my home where I have my personal computer and other hobby items.
While my work desk is in a room by windows, I only sit at this desk for my 9-5 work...
I don't mix these spaces up, one area is for fun, and one is for work.
If you're working in an area where you normally have fun, that's where your brain is going to drift off and look to do your normal fun hobbies.
3) Start your day off with a ritual
When I start my workday I play Four Seasons by Vivaldi
I listen to 5 minutes or sometimes the whole thing, but this is a signal to my brain that the workday has begun
Playing the same song will trigger your brain for work and helps you foucs
4) Put your phone away
If you have a work phone or are expected to take calls, this may not be exactly possible, but the intention should be there.
I have a work phone and a personal phone, my work phone has no "fun" apps, and my personal phone goes in a drawer.
5) Get ready for work
I alluded to this in point 1 about actually scheduling your time around the workday.
But having a shower and getting changed is huge to shift your mindset and helps get you into your day.
I even have a set of comfortable work-at-home clothes now.
6) Wrap your day up strong
Tidy up your workspace, making sure your environment is ready for the next day.
Also, end your workday with a quick workout and stretching session after sitting all day at your home office, which is probably a non-ergonomic workspace.
Some other key tips:
- Drink a ton of water
- Work in 90-minute blocks
- Stretch for 5 mins every 90 minutes
- Go for a walk at lunch, get outside and breathe deeply
- Start and end your day at the same time as you would at the office
Make working at home healthy and fun.
If you are looking for support with self-leadership or team leadership, DM me the word LEADER, and let's see if we are a good fit to work with each other.
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///THREAD\\\
To frame these points, I wanted to share this quote:
"A leadership culture is one where everyone thinks like an owner, a CEO, or a managing director. It's one where everyone is entrepreneurial and proactive."
- Robin S. Sharma
1) Develop rituals and systems
All successful people have systems and rituals; this helps to provide a structure to your days
Making you focus on things you’re working on, if it’s important to you, you need to create a ritual around it.