So, you’re stuck at home and trying to get some work done… right?
I saw on my buddies’ Facebook that they needed some “quiet time” from the kids, so they came up with this idea…
Haha, this is obviously a joke, but we’ve heard from many of you that being productive at home with EVERYONE, like your spouse, family members, and kids…
Anyway, since the Coronavirus closed offices across the globe, many of us have found ourselves settling into a new normal of working from home.
And while ditching the commute and working in your PJs might seem like a welcome retreat, not having a smart plan in place could mean all play and very little work.
My team knows a thing or two about working remotely.
In fact, it’s one of the foundational cornerstones of our company.
Over the years, we’ve found the secret “recipe” that allows us to balance family and personal life while crushing it in our careers. The right work-life balance principles, productivity hacks, effective tech tools, and clear and constant communication are more important than ever.
So, for all my newbie work-from-home friends and even the regulars, I have some tips for you to make this time productive and “sane.”
After working from home for nine years now, I can tell you there’s definitely a learning curve. So my goal is to shorten it for you!
Below are a few of our top tips for being just as productive at home as you would be at the office:
Here are a few of our top tips for being just as productive at home as you would be at the office. Share on X
The Ultimate Guide To Working From Home
1. Maintain a consistent schedule
Just because you’re not physically going into the office doesn’t mean you should ditch the schedule you were following before.
In fact, the exact opposite is true. Maintaining consistency can help put you in the right mindset to have a productive and successful workday.
Set an alarm.
This, for many, is already happening, but you shouldn’t stop your morning routine while working from home.
One of the biggest mistakes I see right now is people free-flowing their day! Bad move, my friends. If you want to create some consistency, you need to be more structured today than ever.
Get changed.
Do you mean you shouldn’t work in your PJs? Well, maybe on Fridays. But you should get changed into something to set the tone for the day.
You don’t have to wear a tie or something fancy. Just get yourself into momentum and out of nighttime wear. Let your weekends be PJ mornings or days. You’ll feel WAY more energized.
Set a schedule, and stick to it… most of the time.
Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps remote workers maintain a work-life balance. Maintaining a traditional 9 to 5 schedule ensures you have dedicated work time, and personal time, and that you don’t blur those lines by continuing to work “after hours.”
That said, one of the benefits of remote work is flexibility, and sometimes you need to extend your day or start early to accommodate someone else’s time zone.
When you do, be sure to wrap up earlier than usual or sleep in a bit the next morning to make up for it.
Planning is key, especially if you’re sharing your space with kids or other family members. Sharing your calendar with colleagues and blocking time for personal obligations not only holds you accountable, but it also prevents others from scheduling meetings during the times when you would normally be away from your desk.
If you need help maintaining structure, time-tracking apps like Harvest or Timely are great for keeping tabs on your most productive hours of the day. You can use that information to your advantage by reserving your hours of high focus for your most important tasks.
2. Focus on your health and wellness for maximum productivity
Eliminate the screen in the morning.
Most people are going to be stuck behind a computer all day and then are most likely going to watch TV at night.
But by eliminating the phone or screen in the morning, you get your much-needed break from news, social media, and outside distractions. This allows you to be more focused during the day.
Make subtle changes to your workspace every few days.
For those of us who are used to a daily commute or working in the field, feeling cooped up indoors during the workday can translate to cabin fever and low productivity. Set your mind at ease by making subtle changes to your workspace every few days.
Try opening a window, playing some ambient sounds in the background, or rearranging your furniture.
Don’t forget to take time for breaks, too.
Stand up every 50 minutes and take a 5-10 minute break. If you are allowed to, walk outside your front door, or open your window and get some air and vitamin D. Just be careful, and keep your social distance.
Pick up a magazine or listen to an audiobook. Call your mom or have a virtual lunch with a co-worker or friend. Walk your dog.
Whatever it is that helps you pause and recharge, do it!
Taking an actual lunch break is key, too!
Stepping away from your office environment (and your screens) and enjoying a meal can help you gear up for a more productive afternoon.
To the extent that it’s allowed and safe where you are, get out of the house, but maintain social distancing, of course. The point is, move your body and shift your scenery. A little fresh air and natural light will do you good.
Stay away from snacking throughout the day.
I know the kitchen is so damn close, you can’t leave your home, and you are probably stocked up with supplies for 30-plus days of survival if everything shuts down, but… DON’T DO IT!
Losing weight is WAY harder than maintaining it. Have one or two snacks MAX… If you are feeling hungry, chug some water. It’s your new best friend.
Crank that MUSIC.
Music for me is LIFE. It gets me into a flow. It helps me sustain my mood and energy. It fills the empty noise that comes with working from home.
You may have a different taste in music, but here are a few playlists I jam to, depending on my mood or activity…
Peaceful Piano on Spotify (for writing)
One more thing…
Make sure to connect to something/someone.
This one sounds weird, but it’s important. My partner, Jenn, and I “connect” every morning with a long, embracing hug. We then give each other an intention for the day.
For example, she’ll say something like, “I hope you have a grounded and energized day.” And I’ll say something like, “I hope you have a calm, but productive day.”
These intentions are super fun and help you focus on something for the day.
If you don’t have a partner and are solo (or you would rather do this alone), set your own intention for the day. Write yourself a little note, and put it next to your desk. This is a game-changer and really does help for having a more intentional day.
3. Boundaries lead to balance
I’ve met a lot of people who work remotely, and the ones who do it best have clear boundaries between their work and personal lives.
For some, working from home means they’re always working, while others end up lost in endless household chores instead of working! If you want to find a happy medium, be disciplined! Work when it’s time for work, and then STOP!
Your success depends on clear boundaries between your personal and professional life.
Use a door (if you can) to help set boundaries as well.
This is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s important that you are not posted up in the middle of the living room with constant interruptions, or worse, in the kitchen, where there is FOOD.
If you don’t want to pack on the pounds, make sure you find a quiet place with a door so you can focus during your blocked work time.
Finally…
Working in bed or while watching TV is only allowed when you are clearing emails.
Working at home doesn’t have to be so strict, but you do want to be productive.
Doing “non-intensive” work in comfort is a perk of working from home. But make it a reward, not a habit.
Wise warning… people who have trouble sleeping should not work from bed. You don’t want to train yourself that bed equals work, so tread lightly.
4. Being remote doesn’t have to mean being alone (tools and tips to connect with your team)
Being remote doesn’t have to mean being alone. It’s totally possible to stay connected to your co-workers and clients even if you don’t see them in person every day.
Take the time to share an article you enjoyed reading, celebrate team milestones, or find a new way to expand your professional network.
Even in the midst of social distancing, professional relationships can still be a priority. Here are a few of the tools our team can’t live without:
4. Being remote doesn't have to mean being alone. Here are tools and tips to connect with your team during social distancing. Share on XSlack
Slack keeps our completely remote team connected! When you have staff in 10 different countries, it’s essential to have a tool that keeps everyone in sync. Slack is great for quick conversations amongst large groups or for one-on-one chats, and it also integrates with tons of other tools for a seamless “office” experience.
Asana
Asana is our favorite tool for keeping projects organized and all the trains running on time! We definitely recommend designating one project manager to input projects and assign tasks.
Zoom
This is our remote team’s lifeline! This free video conferencing tool helps co-workers feel connected, no matter where they’re located. There are tons of cool features, including a record function so that you can share meetings with anyone who can’t attend live.
Google Drive
Google Drive keeps everyone’s files organized and easily accessible. Maximize the benefits by using the full suite of Google productivity products to keep your extended office working efficiently.
Loom
I love, love, LOVE loom! It makes it easy to share information with your team when you need to explain something easier done visually. By creating an audio and video screencast, the tool allows the viewer to visualize what you are referencing while listening to what you’re explaining.
Some closing words…
In the midst of rapid changes as a result of the Coronavirus, everyone is adjusting to a new normal. So don’t feel the need to be perfect right away. Give yourself grace when dealing with change. Accept that some days will not go as planned, and try to go with the flow.
For now, take things you accomplish under trying circumstances as a win, and remember you can always try again tomorrow.
How are you adjusting to working remotely? What helps you stay productive at home? Leave a comment below!
To your success,
Jesse Eker
Managing Director of
Harv Eker International
Working from home often results in a higher level of productivity because there are fewer distractions. Additionally, you spend less time getting to work, giving you the ability to work for longer each day.