Due to COVID-19 closing many business offices around the world and social distancing, how many of you out there have had to transition to working from home? I’ve been working from home for over a month now for my job, and honestly, I’m actually really enjoying it! No commute giving more time in the day, hanging out at home, it’s been great! Today I’m sharing all my tips on how to stay motivated while working from home. Let’s get started!
Tip #1: Get Ready for the Day as You Usually Would
It’s crazy how even what you wear and how you start your day can set the tone for the whole day ahead of you. While I definitely have my days where I stay in my sweatpants or leggings, I cannot stress how important it is to get ready for the day as you would for a regular workday to help stay motivated while working from home.
Even on days when I’m working from home, my whole routine stays the same. I get up and do my hair and makeup like normal and change into casual clothing (occasionally super casual staying in sweatpants or leggings).
There are so many reasons why I do this. The first is to help myself feel ready for the day, the second is I just feel gross and lazy if I don’t, and the third is so you still look presentable if you have to hop on a conference call with your co-workers.
Tip #2: Get Some Fresh Air or Exercise Before and After Work
Every morning before work I take my dog on a short walk for about 15-20 minutes to get outside and get some fresh air before I’m inside all day and it helps so much to wake up and feel refreshed and ready for the day. A couple days a week I also workout in the morning when I get up and this also helps a lot to start the day off on a brighter note and to help feel active even when stuck at home all day!
After work is done for the day, I usually take my dog for longer walks or to the field for her to run around with her ball and that also helps to get some fresh air for the day too!
Tip #3: Have a Designated Work Area in Your Home
Having a designated work area in your home can also really help with staying motivated. Whether that be an office you have in your home, dining table, or couch, find a space that works for you where you can stay motivated and productive throughout the day!
I live in a one-bedroom apartment with my boyfriend and now that we are both working remotely for the time being, we’ve made adjustments to how and where we can work without distracting each other. I will typically work in bed or outside on our patio and has worked just fine for me. He is on the phone a lot more than I am throughout the day for work so he took the kitchen counter as his workspace (we don’t have a kitchen dining table). Sometimes we’ll both work at the kitchen counter or outside on the patio together if we’re not on calls and it can make work so much more fun that way too!
If you are in a similar situation where you are currently working remotely with a roommate or significant other in a smaller space, talk with them and see where you both can work and still be productive!
Tip #4: Listen to Music or Podcasts
I am someone who can be very productive at work while listening to music or podcasts and usually have Pandora playing on my TV in the background while I work. It helps fill that dead silence and helps stay motivated to work throughout the day! I never turn on the TV to watch anything as I have learned from doing online school in my senior year of college that it never helps in getting work done. Just don’t do it!
Tip #5: Take a Lunch Break and Eat Healthy Snacks
It’s so easy to snack throughout the day when you’re steps away from your kitchen. I snack at least 3-4 times per day while working from home so I always make sure to keep some healthier options in my kitchen to choose from. I’ll usually snack on some fruits, carrots, or a granola bar and fruit snacks when the snack cravings hit. And I usually make a real meal for lunch consisting of either sandwiches, small pasta dishes, or leftover meals that we have in our fridge either from eating out or cooking the night before.
I hope these tips help you out in staying motivated and productive in getting your work done in a different setting than you’re used to, we’re all in this together!
How have you adjusted to working from home?
Thanks for reading!
XX
Kelsie
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