Finding your groove while working from home can be tricky... I’ve been there! Transitioning from my corporate role to working from home two years ago was an adjustment!
But the most important thing I’ve learnt is that it’s our habits and routines which have the biggest impact on productivity.
So I thought I’d share with you all my best #WFH tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way, so you don’t have to work it out on your own:
1) TIME BATCH YOUR DAY
Here’s the thing about #WFH. You might think you’ve got all the time in the world, but there are SO many more distractions at home (and no boss to watch you 😂). Time batching your tasks and sticking to a schedule is a necessity for staying on track.
I’m not just talking about a to-do list here… I’m talking about fully scheduling your day down to what time you’re prioritising each task (even your morning routine and lunch breaks!)
The trick to this is to break your day up into manageable tasks so you don’t get overwhelmed. This will look different for everyone!
Here’s an example of how I time batch my day:
2) IMPLEMENT ‘STARTING’ AND ‘ENDING’ RITUALS
When working from home, you might notice that the days start to feel like they’re blending into one! That’s why it’s so important to have ‘starting’ and ‘ending’ rituals.
By having an action that you do to acknowledge the start of your day and the end of your day, you’re creating healthy boundaries around your work time.
In my corporate role, this was simple because the starting ritual was entering the office, and the ending ritual is leaving the office. We don’t have this separation at home!
Do anything that feels good for you. My starting ritual usually involves journaling, meditating and sitting down with a hot cup of coffee. Something I like doing at the end of the day is a beach walk or taking a bath.
It took me a while to figure out the importance of this WFH hack, but now, I can’t imagine my days without it!
3) CREATE YOUR SPACE
Having a calm and decluttered space has such a significant impact on elevating your mood and productivity.
I understand that we might not all be able to create the office of our dreams, but try and work with what you’ve got! Whether you're now working from your dining table or a nook in your room, try and create a comfortable space that signals to you that it’s time to work.
I find that simple things like my crystals, vision board and essential oil diffuser can really raise my vibe in the workspace. This relaxing Spotify playlist also really puts me in the zone!
Times may be uncertain right now, but by tidying my workspace at the beginning of each day, it makes me feel a little in control and refreshed.
4) TAKE BREAKS AWAY FROM YOUR WORKSPACE
When working from home, it can be so easy to let time slip out of your hands!
Use your lunch breaks as an opportunity to take a breather and re-energise. Trust me, if you eat at your desk while you work, your energy levels will absolutely take a dive!
Jot down your lunch break into your schedule at the start of your day to give you something to look forward to. Even better, eat it outside to get some fresh air to break up the day!
5) EXTRA TIME? USE IT TO FILL UP YOUR CUP
Working from home might mean you’re saving a little bit more time that used to be spent getting ready, packing lunch or commuting to the office.
Use this extra time on yourself - whether it’s 20 minutes or a whole hour!
I dedicate half an hour each day to myself to learn a new skill or indulge in some personal development. This could be anything from listening to a podcast, reading a chapter of a book or cleaning!
By using your extra time intentionally, you’re sparking a sense of accomplishment. Trust me, you’ll feel 100x better if you spend your time wisely over scrolling aimlessly through apps on your phone! There isn’t anything wrong with this, but challenge yourself if you find you’re not getting lost in social media.
It’s so important to take some time out to fill up your cup during those long days at the desk!
6) WRITE A ‘CELEBRATION LIST’
If you’re like me, you probably thought that being at home meant you’d get a lot more done than you thought. It can be easy to lose track (especially during our current climate!)
We tend to fixate on what we don’t get done in our day. But by writing down everything you achieved in your day (no matter how big or small), you’re shifting your energy into a positive place.
This is my favourite WFH hack because it helps end the day on a high note. You deserve to acknowledge your progress, gf!
These tips are all included in my recent solo pep talk on the Rise and Conquer Podcast. If you’re in a bit of a slump and need an extra slice of motivation, then I’d definitely recommend listening in!
G xx