This is a difficult time for everyone! A lot of people are working from home, businesses are closed, and school is cancelled.  One thing I can easily offer up are some tips on working from home!

I also know that many of my friends, family, and past clients don’t have the privilege of working from home because they are the ones keeping us safe, healthy, and providing for us.  I am so thankful for you guys.  Before I share some tips on WFH, I want to say I am constantly thinking about the healthcare providers, people who can’t leave their jobs, people who have been forced to leave their jobs without pay, and really just everyone struggling during this time.

I’ve been working full-time from home for over a year now!  It hasn’t been easy for me, even though I would not consider myself someone who needs a ton of social interaction, it’s a totally different ballgame to be in your house working day after day with just your pup and a cup of coffee…  Ok, lots of cups of coffee.  Although I can’t say I’ve mastered it, I’ve learned a lot.  Here is what I’ve found helps me the most:

• Establish a routine.  When you work from home, it can be easy to just eat whenever you are hungry, keep your PJs on all day, and just kind of go with the flow.  I have found that a solid routine will really set the tone.  Get dressed in the morning.  Wake up just like you did when you were going into the office.  Do your hair or put on makeup if it helps you feel more human.  I usually do my skincare routine and pull my hair back right after having my coffee.  It also helps to put on comfortable shoes.  Something about shoes helps me feel more awake and formal.
• Have a designated work area.  I can’t stress this one enough!  Make sure you aren’t working in your bed, or on the couch if you can help it.  Find somewhere with a proper chair and a solid surface that resembles a typical working space.  If you don’t have an office, try using your kitchen table, bar, or a desk if you have it.
• Get dressed!  I’m SO guilty of not doing this.  I mean, if you aren’t going to see anyone, what does it really matter?  But, getting dressed, even in leggings and a cute top can help you feel more put-together, just like throwing on a pair of shoes.  When I do this, I inevitably have a more productive day.  I really don’t know why.
• Take a lunch break.  Breaking up your day into two parts can help you stay productive.  When you work from home, there can be a pressure that you always have to be working and you always need to be at your computer.  Step away from your computer and take a lunch break.  Do something enjoyable and non work-related, especially if this is what you would do when you were in the office.  You can even cook lunch, which is something you don’t get to do at an office.
• Use a timer to stay on track.  On days when I am having trouble staying on task, or when I find time passing by without accomplishing anything, I set timers.  For example, I’ll set a 20-minute timer and see how much of my emails I can tackle in that amount of time.  Then, I’ll set a 5-minute timer and take a break.  Then I’ll set another timer for my next task.  It’s very encouraging to see how much you can get done in a small amount of time.

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