The first week of May, marks eight (long) weeks since I’ve started working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like everyone else, I’m just trying to make it work and have clung to a few practices to help me get through each day. Prior to this I had some experience working from home a few hours each week due to my freelance side hustles, but I honestly was not prepared.
Before I get into the tips, let me be completely real for a moment. I absolutely hate puff pieces that disregard the fact that this moment is again a pandemic, and with that comes a lot of stress, anxiety, fear, sadness etc. Trust me when I say my own tips don’t work for me every day. Some days are productive and some days just aren’t and that’s the reality.
For the days that I am productive, I’ve found a rhythm that works. Here are five tips to set yourself up for a successful day:
Write a To-Do List
This tip may seem basic and like a waste of time, but starting the day setting your intentions and writing them down can be really powerful. If you are not a regular to-do list writer, you may be surprised how gratifying it can be to check things off a list. But it’s deeper than that. Studies show people get more done with to-do lists, likely because it can eliminate anxiety and offer structure. The key is to be as specific as you can and be realistic about how much you may be able to get done in a day. One woman I follow on social media encourages reframing your thinking by calling it a get-to-do list. I found that reframing has been an empowering way to look at it.
Recreate your Pre-COVID Routine
Do you roll out of bed minutes before work and stay in your pajamas all day? No shame, because I’ve been guilty of it too, but it didn’t take long to realize that practice is not ideal because I’d start frazzled and carry that energy into the rest of my day. My mornings used to consist of a gym workout, shower, reading the news and breakfast before heading into the office. My current routine is actually practically the same — although I swapped 5am gym sessions for 7am in the living room. Something about maintaining these few practices in the morning have helped me transition to work mode easily and have absolutely helped me achieve productive days.
Set Aside Time for what you Enjoy
Did I mention I used to go to the gym at 5am? Yeah, if that didn’t clue you in, I am a fan of the gym and it is something that I truly enjoy. Although things have obviously shifted, getting in a workout most mornings brings me joy. Added bonus, I now do my workouts with family and friends by video chat so we can sweat together. I promise this is not a rant to get you to workout. You can choose anything (reading, writing, dancing, etc.) but find time to do it every day.
Set your Ideal Hours
If you have the flexibility in the day to get most of your work done when you want to, why not use it? Personally, I am a morning person and that coincides with the time that I am most productive. Meetings aside, I organize most days so I’m able to write in the mornings and interview sources for stories in the afternoons. That works for me. If you’re not sure when your “best time” is, use this time to experiment. Of course, it’s not always possible to get everything done when you want to, but it is something to keep in mind.
Walk Away When You’re Done
This tip goes hand in hand with the last one. Now that work and home are the same place the clearly defined work mode boundary has been blurred. It is now a little too easy to work late and answer after hour emails that can wait, but don’t do it. When your workday is over and you’ve given all you have for the day (whether that’s eight hours or two) close the computer and don’t look back.
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