How to Stay on Track at Home.
Are you struggling to find balance working from home? I know I certainly have been. I’ve always prided myself on being a fantastic multi-tasker, but these days it seems I am distracted by my own heartbeat. It’s taken me a long time to discover the best practices (for me) to be successful while working from home and I am still learning every day.
Here are some things that have been working for me and hopefully, you can utilize them to your own advantage.
Make time for you.
I have never been a morning person... ever. Most industries I have worked in required to me to work until at least 11pm if not 2am. Rising to greet the day before 10am did not exist. Since Kyle and I became full-time co-workers, we’ve created a morning routine that allows us to get centered and focus on our own intentions for the day. Some of our tasks include: daily readings, meditation, gratitude lists, affirmations, and exercise, all alongside a large cup of coffee, of course. Mornings are slowly becoming my favorite part of the day. Since the quarantine started, it's been easy to roll out of bed and jump right into answering emails, taking phone calls, and sitting on Zoom meetings… those things compiled can quickly feel overwhelming. Taking part in these daily habits allows us to take our own actions instead of being at the effect of what others demand.
Plan! Plan! Plan!
I create my daily schedule every night before bed. I make a list of everything I have to do/would like to do and I build my schedule around those tasks. It may seem obvious but it’s not always that easy. Have you ever said, “Oh, I can do this later” without actually scheduling it later? Maybe your mom calls and you say, “I’ll take this phone call real quick” and 30 minutes later, you’re trying to say goodbye for the 5th time? Don’t do it! Here’s how I schedule things: I make a list of ALL THE THINGS: meetings, phone calls, meal breaks, exercise, etc. I open my Google Calendar and create individual events for each thing on my list. From there, I have the flexibility to move them around in my day. So, when my mom does call while I’m writing this blog post, I can quickly look at my schedule and shift this writing block into my empty afternoon. Once I’ve created that schedule, I set alarms for EVERYTHING: “Stretch yo’ bod,” “No more coffee boo,” “Give Kyle a smooch,” “Don’t forget to eat,” “NO MORE WORK,” anything I might forget/push off when I’m in the zone.
Fuel your bod for success.
I always make sure to fuel my body for success. My favorite thing to have for breakfast is a smoothie. It’s quick, easy, and takes the guesswork out of my morning routine. I’ve also gotten my smoothie formula down to a science so I know exactly what to put in it to keep me full and satisfied. This allows me to make better choices come lunchtime and throughout the day. Ladies, our snack bin is literally right behind my desk. If I do not fuel myself properly, guess what I’m doing at 2pm…eating potato chips. I know that the quarantine has a lot of people talking about their snack game being out of control. Don’t be afraid to admit that you can’t handle having certain foods in your house. I can’t keep pints of ice cream in the house right now. I will eat them until they are gone. Last night, I treated myself to an ice cream cone as a reward for finishing a project but I’m not keeping it in the house. I just can’t right now and that’s ok. These are totally weird times and you need to be honest and gracious with yourself.
Minimize distractions (as much as possible).
Before I jump into this tip, I want to acknowledge that some of you may be work-from-home mamas that are also now teachers. I salute you. Throughout my day, I minimize distractions as much as possible. This will look different for everyone and you need to figure out what distracts you. I live in a small, one-bedroom with my boyfriend who is a Director of Marketing and Communications. Do you know what that means when he’s working from home? He’s on the phone ALL DAY. Luckily, I have the ability to schedule my phone calls around his meetings so we don’t sound like we’re in a call center; however, any kind of talking, music, and TV are all very distracting to me. When he’s on the phone, I wear noise cancelling headphones that play white noise formulated for concentration. This works for me. Other things I’ve found that distract me are having dishes in the sink or when the living room isn’t tidy because I can see those areas while I’m working. Before I go to bed, I make sure those areas are clean so I can start my day fresh and focused.
Create designated spaces.
The week before the quarantine started, I purchased a brand new desk. It is organized and optimized for my success. I always work here (or on the couch when my back hurts from my chair). I never work at the kitchen table or in the bedroom. Those are my sacred spaces where I relax, eat, and connect with Kyle during/after our workday. Almost like going into the office, having a designated work space allows me to focus more clearly.
I hope you found this article helpful and would love to hear how you stay on track while working from home. Leave me and fellow readers one of your tips in the comments!
