Working from Home
Setting up a functional home office is key for your productivity, sanity, and wellbeing. Now that we are all spending A LOT more time at home, I am delighted to share some tips with you to help make the most of it, and maybe even enjoy the luxury of a commute- free, private office space! Follow these simple steps below to add a bit of balance to your work-life ratio, and begin a whole new chapter of what is means to work from home and cultivate some inner peace.
Creating a Home Office:
Step 1: Location - Designate a workspace in your home
This place does not have to be a separate office, but should be a space where you feel productive, and where you do all your work consistently. If having a designated area isn’t possible, don't worry! Just make a space for a “work zone” instead by clearing unnecessary items from that space. For example, carve out space on your kitchen counter, or clear off your coffee table, if you are working from the couch.
*Pro Tip: Wherever you create space, don’t let it be your bed (even though I know you are super excited to spend time in your bedroom since yesterday’s task!) Working on your bed can disrupt your sleep cycle later that evening, and may not give you the energy you need to be productive.
Step 2: Supplies
Declutter your desk drawers, so you only have what you need for work in your desk. If it is not used for work/creating, it has got to go! If you are in a work zone, arrange your supplies neatly in that area, and make sure you have all the supplies you need in your designated workspace, so you don’t have to get up and go looking for anything.
*Pro Tip: Use old jewelry boxes to arrange your office supplies, of you don't have any drawer organizers on hand.
*Pro Tip: Add a candle or a plant to your workspace, to make it feel more relaxing, and make it easier to focus.
Step 3: Create a To-do list
To-do lists are wonderful for providing structure, and they help keep you accountable, focused, and on track to take care of the things you need to accomplish.
*Pro Tip: Your To-do list can include things like: make dinner, do laundry, exercise, check-in on a friend. Anything that adds structure to your day is key!
Step 4: Go to work
Stick to your normal routine, or create a new one, now that we are working from home. Act like you are going to work: make coffee, eat breakfast, and put on different clothes from the ones you slept in. Bonus: Having a routine will also tell you when it’s time to clock-out, so you are not working at home around the clock.
*Pro Tip: Create a new job for yourself, if you need to! Always wanted to be a writer? A visual artist? A quilter? A social media maven? If you are not currently able to do your previous job, now’s the time to see what a different occupation would really be like!
Step 5: Reset
Get up for 5 - 15 minutes every hour, to keep yourself feeling energized and focused. Taking a short walk, or doing a few stretches every hour, can really help.
*Pro Tip; Set an alarm to move/walk every hour. When your alarm goes off, you know it’s break time! Or snack time. Snacks are good, too!