Coffee Talk #175: 5 Tips for Working from Home

It’s Tuesday…I think? The days are all shifting together. I can usually tell the day by which fitness class I’m teaching, but with the shutdown of all gyms, I’m not teaching a regular schedule. Grab your cup and let’s start chattin’.

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that the world has shifted in just a couple of days. It seems like day-to-day, things are changing. I’m definitely all for safety and practicing smart self care, but also missing my fitness tribe and seeing my students.

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that we’re still moving forward, business as unusual, with our home sale and purchase. So much more to come, I don’t want to jinx it, but we’re super excited for this next chapter. There are so many pieces to it, and things have to move rather quickly, but we’re really, really happy and it’s weird not talking about all of it!

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that one normal thing I have happening right now is working from home. Though I work in a school and my main priority is providing a service to the students, I work for a company called MBRT. We work year-round, including snow days, so I have a pretty sweet work-from-home set-up. This might be a new thing for many others, so I’m offering some tips for working from home to keep you sane and productive.

5 Tips to Stay Sane & Productive while Working from Home

1. Create your space/ set boundaries

It’s important to define a working space. Announce it to all in your house: “THIS IS MY SPACE.” Don’t let others place mail, clutter, etc. in your space. If possible, create it in a space that is out of the way, or a space that has a door. Because I work from home so often, I created a really nice office space for myself. I love knowing that I have this space to work.

2. Get dressed.

Yes, the idea of working in your sweats or pjs is exciting. But, it will not lead to optimum productivity. I’m not suggesting putting on a suit and tie, but change clothes when you wake up. It can be a different set of sweats or athleisure, but make sure it’s not what you slept in last night. This will help shift the focus from relax/sleeping to working mode.

3. Stand up and walking breaks.

Don’t sit all morning or all day. Chances are, in the office, you get up to go to the bathroom, to get coffee, or to chat with a co-worker. Keep that same energy in your home office space. I typically take a 10 minute break each hour of work. I use this time to check in with family, to circulate laundry, to do dishes, to get coffee — enjoy some of those working-from-home perks that allow you to keep things moving at home while also working! Give yourself a time limit and get back to work.

4. Light and air.

You are basically a house plant. You need light and you need fresh air. If at all possible, create your office in a space that allows for both! I love that my space has 4 windows and a sliding glass door to our patio and backyard. When searching for new houses, that was one of the top things on my agenda — my home office space needs to be near windows and a door to get outside. I use some of my breaks to take my dog outside. I also make sure to take her for a long walk each day. We both look forward to this ritual.

5. Keep the same schedule.

It can be tempting to say “I’ll sleep in” or “I’ll just work after dinner” but the truth is that you will be more productive if you stick to your work schedule. Now, I am an early bird and have my most productive time in the morning. I typically start working at 6:30 or 7:00 each day. I like ending my day by 2 so I can shift gears to my second job. Find a routine from home that works for you and STICK to it.

Are you new to working from home? Let me know if these tips work for you!