How to stay productive while working from home.
Hello, everyone! I hope you all are safe and well. Due to recent events, a lot of us have to work from home and keep a social distance. For some of us, like me, that’s perfectly fine but for others it can be challenging. I understand working from home can make you feel unmotivated and lonely but I promise you can get through this!
Today, I want to share my tips and tricks for staying productive while working from home. These tips are how I stay productive and get everything done on my to-do list!
desk details:
desk (similar) // laptop // laptop screen saver // planner // monthly calendar // lamp // glass coffee mug ($1!) // bluetooth speaker // mechanical pencil (my favorite)
1. Get Ready Like Normal
Wake up every morning as if you are going to work. This means having a strict morning routine is important. I highly recommend getting out of bed and change your pajamas. Getting ready for the day will make you feel like you’re going somewhere and keep you focused on getting things done. You don’t necessarily have to have the same routine, like doing your makeup or hair, because who cares lol. But if you like makeup and styling your hair then go for it!
I wrote all about my morning routine for a productive day here!
2. Prepare Your Meals Beforehand
On Sunday night, take some time to meal prep for the week or at least for a couple of days. I find that when I have meals prepped I eat healthily and not just eat whatever I can find on short notice. I usually cook a lot of quinoa, chickpeas, and beans to make a salad and it lasts me the whole week! This also helps with saving me time having to cook a meal. Check out my healthy meals here or check out my Instagram to see how I make them!
3. Plan Your Day The Night Before
Google Calendar literally saves my life. It’s where I schedule my whole day and color code it to separate my tasks. I save the tasks as events so it can notify me with sound and of what I have to do next. Honestly, it’s the easiest way to time manage while working from home! Every night, I plan the next day hour by hour. Sounds crazy but it keeps me productive. I also use a physical planner and a big monthly calendar!
Recommended: How to Plan & Organize For A Productive Day
4. Set Up An Office Space
I sometimes work where ever I can in the house but I’m most productive sitting at my desk. I have it set up right next to a window because I don’t like staring at walls. Find a space where you feel most comfortable getting work done, and no not your bed (even though it’s comfy). Preferably work at a table with a chair, because it’ll feel like an office. I sometimes listen to soft instrumental jazz music while working so it’s not so quiet! Spotify has a bunch of playlists for working from home and cafe music if you find having the television on too distracting.
5. Take a Workout Break
I NEED a workout break. Every day I take a 45-minute break and do a workout. It’s the only way I can continue to work for the rest of the time. I understand some can’t do that, so take just a 10-minute break to stretch, walk on the treadmill, or follow a 10-minute workout video on Youtube! I recommend anything from Blogilates! Working from home usually means you’re not going to leave the house so make sure to carve out some time for exercise. It’s VERY crucial to workout after sitting all day long. You can read why here.
Recommended: 5 At-Home Workouts You’ll Actually Enjoy
6. 15-Minute Clean Up
It’s the law to take a break at work so make sure you’re doing it at home, too. If you want to be productive, set a timer for 15-minutes and clean a section of your house. Put away the dishes, tidy up the living room, or wipe down the counters. You’ll be surprised what can be done in such a short amount of time! Take advantage that you’re working from home!
Recommended: The Perfect Sunday Routine to Reset Your Life + FREE CHECKLIST
7. Avoid Being on Your Phone
The one way I stay productive while working from home is by avoiding my phone. I don’t wake up and check emails. I don’t stay in bed for 30-minutes checking social media. A lot of people silence or put their phone on “do not disturb” but I’m afraid of missing an important call or text message. I just set it aside or sometimes out of sight because if not I go through social media. Also, it’s important to check your emails but don’t do it excessively.
That’s all my tips and tricks for working from home! If you have any questions I’ll be sure to answer them in the comments. Stay safe, everyone.
Until next time,
FTC: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links at no extra cost to you.
This is such a helpful post! I totally agree with you about getting ready. When I get ready and put on “normal” clothes I feel a lot more productive and like I actually want to do things.
Thank you for these tips! I am finding it very difficult to find motivation to stay on task while being stuck at home. I will definitely be trying some of these!
Great Tips! I love the idea of a 15 minute clean up break. I’ve been trying to get up every hour and walk around my apartment for 5 minutes just to keep the blood pumping.
Fantastic tips! Provides structure to your wfh day.
Loved this! It’s hard to stay focused at home sometimes so great advice!
Reading these reminds me of some of the benefits that came with working from home. I truly miss it. I currently work in a hospital now, so working outside of home for the time being while growing my blog can be challenging but it’s what I’ll do until I accomplish my goals ✨
Thanks for sharing. You have some great tips here, I particular love Take a Workout Break. It can be hard on the body if I am sitting at the desk all day. Moving around surely helps.
Super helpful — especially now when lots of folks are working from home for the first time!
I just wanted to see if I do it right… and turns out I do! Yay! 😀 Cooking my meals in advance is a game-changer for me. I also think that getting ready before starting to work makes a great difference 🙂
Thanks for the tips. I wrote a similar article as I had to work remotely for a year with a baby in the house.
https://www.yearofthedad.com/6-essential-tactics-for-working-from-home/
I love this post! It’s so helpful, and I need to try a few of these tips while I’m still working from home haha ?
Great tips! These are all great ways to help keep things as “normal” as usual even though so much has changed!
Thanks so much for the tips. I have a “day job”, but since I’m out of work, my blog is numero uno. I try to take breaks at least once every hour to get up and stretch, clear my head and avoid getting overwhelmed. I think adding in a few breaks for mini workouts would be great since there isn’t much to do now that everything is closed!
Love these tips!! Moving your body is so important.
Thank you for your uplifting article. All the things you stated are correct. You reminded me of these as I was having a small anxiety attack which I am sure many of us are feeling. I have saved article to read again tomorrow morning and every morning that I need to keep myself focused.
Creating a space is so important! Thank you for writing out a thorough explanation on what can help create a productive space!
Oh, I like the idea of setting timer to clean. My house is driving me crazy while I’m trying to remote teach.
Thank you for the tips. I need to somehow trick my husband into reading this! ha ha.
Preparing my meals before hand and making a schedule the night before has made a huge difference. Being a work form home mom blogger, I believe every little bit helps and all these tips are very much on point.
Agreed with all! Having a dedicated workspace certainly helps create a similar environment like youd normally have at office. Thank you for sharing these tips for remote workers.
Great Post!! You are so right about getting up as if I’m going to work! That is what I did today and I feel so pumped about what I need to get done while at home. Thanks so much for this encouragement!!
The cleaning tips I had not thought of that….I do take my 15 minutes but it’s usually to attend my daughter. Sometimes I even cook while attending a conference call!! Multitasking at its best!
Some amazing tips here! Just loved it!
Being productive while working from home is really hard. Thanks for sharing these 🙂
Great tips! Needed the reminders ?
Definitely working in #1!!
Great tips! Getting up and getting dressed is the first thing I do in themorning.
Wonderful tips. I really need to work on being productive. I need to find more time in my day. I am sure it is just a matter of getting organized and staying focused, which I find difficult. Thanks for this.
These are some awesome tips, thanks for sharing!
Great point about lunch breaks! If it’s the law to take one at work, it just makes sense to take one at home too.
Awesome tips! Sometimes I have a really hard time being productive especially now that I have to work from home and my son is home from school. Thank you for this!
Great post! It is super important to keep up with a routine. I’m struggling with it myself, but it’s refreshing to see other bloggers work hard at it too. 🙂
All of these are so important! It took me several weeks to establish a routine and not get distracted every five minutes.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Great post!
Wonderful tips & very very informative.
thanks for sharing us.