Whether you quit your office job to start your own business or are adjusting to working from home after staying home with kids for a decade, it may be a struggle to establish a good work-from-home routine. Follow these 10 tips for working from home to maximize your time and stay on top of your goals.

 

1. Get Ready for the Day

 

My first tip is to act like you’re going to the office and get ready for the day. By getting dressed in your professional clothes (or at least changing out of pajamas), you’ll be in the right mindset to get work done. If you normally do your makeup and hair before going out for the day, continue that routine for working from home. Throw on some cute earrings, too! Bonus, if you have any Zoom calls then you’re already ready. 

I live by my 3 before 9 rule. I try to do these three things before 9 a.m. every day to help me stay in a groove:

1. Move my body.
2. Check in with God.
3. Get ready.

These three things never fail to set me up for a successful day. They put me in a good mood and in a headspace where I’m ready to focus and move the needle in my biz. Try it out and see how it goes for you!

 

2. Have a Designated Office Space

 

Whether it’s a corner of your bedroom, the basement living room, or a home office, set up your workspace in one designated spot in your home. Avoid laying in your bed while working as it may make you sleepy and not able to focus. Make sure the other members of your family understand where your workspace is and respect your boundaries. Set yourself up with water and any snacks you may need to save time and minimize distractions.

 

3. Set Guidelines with Family Members

 

It may be a challenge to work from home with kids or your spouse around, especially during the summer months. Unless you have a nanny, you’re not going to be able to work for 8 hours straight without your kids needing something. An easy solution is to set guidelines with your family members. Inform them of times when you have important meetings and should not be interrupted unless there is an emergency. That could mean closing your office door for 45 minutes during a Zoom call, and then opening it when the call is over. 

I know it depends on what ages your kids are. Mine are all school-aged so it’s easier for them to take care of themselves (and the older ones help the younger ones) whenever I’m not available. If your kids are younger, work during nap time and maybe for an hour or two after they go to bed at night.

Plus, do not be hesitant to ask for help. I hired an assistant who runs errands for me, puts away my groceries, cleans my home, etc. This has been a game-changer! She’s doing all the things that I would be doing if I wasn’t working and then when I’m done with my work day I can focus on spending time with my kids rather than catching up on the mess. 

If you don’t have the extra money to hire someone, find your village to help lighten your load. Maybe you can do a kid swap with a group of friends or your siblings. Maybe you live by your parents or in-laws and can set up a regular time every week when they take the kids so you can get some work done!

 

4. Be Flexible

 

Learn to be flexible with your time and expectations. It may seem difficult at first to break your work time into smaller chunks throughout the day. Talk with your spouse and see if they could help more with kids in the evenings or on weekends so you can focus on working. 

Consider waking up early to get a jump start on your assignments while the house is still quiet. It’s totally fine if your kids need to spend more time on screens or at a friend’s house when you need to focus. Figure out what time of day you are the most productive and save your more difficult tasks for that time.

 

5. Take Breaks

 

At an office job, you would normally take breaks now and then to let your mind rest. Continue to do so by taking a walk outside or checking in with a family member. Set a reminder on your computer to take at least one break in the morning and one in the afternoon. If you’ve spent hours trying to plan out content for your social media, take a break by listening to a podcast. Just be sure to set a time limit so you don’t get sidetracked.

You’ll do yourself a huge favor if your breaks are spent outside on a walk, a quick meditation/stretch, or really anything to recharge your battery that doesn’t involve a screen in your face. Nowadays, it’s almost automatic for us to pick up our phones and doom scroll. Be intentional about your time and what you’re focusing on.

 

6.  Maintain Your Sleep Schedule

 

You wouldn’t stay up late binge-watching the new Great British Bake-Off season if you have to go into the office the next day. So you shouldn’t stay up late on nights when you need to get an early start working from home either. Continue to try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Set a reminder on your phone to wind down and read a book instead of looking at a screen before bed. This will help your brain relax and help you fall asleep more easily.

 

7. Make a To-Do List

Sometimes it may be hard to see how much progress you have made when working from home because of the way your workday is broken up. Use a to-do list, like a planner to help you track your goals. These will help you organize your content and keep track of your schedule. Put those items with the highest priority first and cross things off as you complete them.

 

8. Limit Personal Social Media Use

 

Obviously, you need to use social media for your business. However, make sure you are limiting your personal social media usage. It can easily be a distraction and make you lose track of time. Keep yourself logged into your business page on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok during your working hours. Try to only check your personal page in the evenings after your work is completed. If needed, use the Do Not Disturb feature during meetings and set screen time limits for certain apps on your phone to help you manage your time wisely.

 

9. Prep Meals the Night Before

 

Cooking lunch each day can be time-consuming and detract from your productivity. Try to prepare meals and snacks the night before. Separate leftovers into portion-size containers. Brainstorm some quick and easy lunch ideas for yourself and your kids. I even put my older kids in charge of getting lunch/dinner ready for the family one day each week.

 

10. Set a Time Limit

 

It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re on a roll. Before you start working for the day, determine what your ending time will be. Set a timer on your phone and wrap things up once it goes off. As you are finishing up, make a list of the tasks that you need to complete the following day. That way you can refer to the list when starting first thing in the morning.

 

Main Takeaways

• 10 Solid Tips for Working From Home
  • Get ready for the day.
  • Have a designated office space.
  • Set guidelines with family members.
  • Be flexible.
  • Take breaks.
  • Maintain your sleep schedule.
  • Make a to-do list.
  • Limit personal social media use.
  • Prep meals the night before.
  • Set a time limit.

 

10 Tips for Working From Home

Working from home has allowed so many people to be their own boss. These tips can help you get started with your work-from-home business. Take advantage of the flexibility and comfort of working from home. You got this! Give me a follow on Instagram @iammichellegifford for more tips and strategies for growing your biz on Instagram and beyond!

If you liked this post and want to know more about running an at-home business, check out these posts:

• 10 Tips You Didn’t Know About Blogging and Working From Home
• How to Switch From Mom to Boss
• 10 Golden Nuggets for Small Biz Owners on the Rise
• How to Make Your First Hire for Your Business