Right now is a strange time for us all in the sense that everything is uncertain. We are indefinitely in this lock-down situation and until we are instructed otherwise, the stay at home rule is firmly in place. So, if you haven’t already, then now is the time to start thinking about how to get your brain in gear when working from home, and how to prevent yourself from getting distracted by those tempting home comforts...
So, what’s the key to a productive day spent working from home? Well, it’s all about getting up and doing things as you normally would, even though things are anything but normal right now. Routine is everything when working from home and it’s important that we really make the effort to create an environment that makes us want to work.
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| Work from home setup |
Below I have listed my top tips for making your work from home day as productive as it possibly can be. I really hope that this helps motivate you!
1. Shower as soon as you wake up
This literally couldn’t be more important, and honestly, even on the days that you aren’t working, I would still put this right at the top of your priority list. Sometimes, all I want to do when I get up is just sit on the sofa in my dressing gown, but I know that the longer I put off getting in the shower, the less productive I will be, and the more groggy I will feel as a result. Lazy days are allowed - of course they are! But try not to make a habit out of showering late - just get up and jump in straight away!
2. Get ready as you normally would
Popping on a bit of makeup every day and blow drying my hair makes all the difference for me, and I think this is the case for a lot of others, too. I feel like in order to get myself into that working mindset, I need to look like I’m ready for work. The clothes that we choose to wear are associated with different things that we do. For example, an apron for cooking and hiking boots for walking - you wouldn’t wear your pyjamas or dressing gown to go into the office, so be sure to change out of them before you open up your laptop.
3. Eat a hearty breakfast
Everybody knows that health is wealth, and it’s just so important to eat a healthy, hearty breakfast every day! Very occasionally when I’m really in a rush, I will reach for the Shreddies or muesli as a quick fix, but this really is once in a blue moon for me. I always make the effort to whip up a nutritious breakfast, as it just makes such a huge difference to how I feel and how I perform. An average breakfast for me would be porridge made with oat milk or almond milk, topped with a selection of berries, banana and seeds. You just can’t beat it!
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| This was the porridge I made the other day. I pretty much have the same every morning! |
4. Use your home office (or create a space that can act as your office for the time being)
Marc and I are pretty settled in our new home now, but we are still yet to establish an office space in which we can both work from, so this is a bit tricky for us at the moment. However, when I am blogging or working on something - whatever that may be - I always make the effort to take myself off somewhere quiet & equip myself with everything I would have to hand in the office. Things like a big note pad, a pen, my laptop and a cup of tea (obvs) are all essential.
5. Stay away from social media
Instagram couldn’t be a bigger distraction, could it? But unless you want to be rushing your way through tasks at 3PM, you really do need to put your phone on silent - or turn it off - and stay away from social media. This is an absolute must.
6. Keep the TV volume low
Ideally, the tv should be switched off altogether, but if for whatever reason it can’t be or you’re sharing a room with someone who wants it on, my advice would be to keep the volume to a minimum. Obviously we all have our own idea as to what makes the perfect working environment, but I think I speak for most when I say that quietness is key.
7. Have healthy snacks at the ready
It’s so easy to just reach for a few biscuits when you’re working, but if you can, it’s so much better to be prepared. When I’m working from home, I always have a fruit salad ready in the fridge that I can just dip into. Some melon, grapes, strawberries and kiwi with yoghurt and seeds makes for such a delicious and nutritious snack!
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| I'm always making fruit salads for me & Marc - this was one from the other day that we ate in the garden |
8. Make your lunch the night before
Another little foodie tip of mine would be to prepare your lunch the night before. Preparation is just so important as it will stop you from reaching for those not-so-healthy, sugary fixes throughout the day. Pitta breads stuffed up with hummus, tuna, beetroot, tomatoes and spinach are quick and easy to whip up and they’ll help keep you going right into the afternoon.
9. Stay hydrated
This one speaks for itself, really, but in case you’re in need of a gentle reminder, nothing curbs your concentration quite like dehydration. So, to help ensure that you’re on the ball, always have a big bottle of water to hand, and keep refilling it throughout the day.
So there you have it - my top tips for a productive day working from home. If you enjoyed this blog post, then why not have a read of one of my other recent posts? You might enjoy How To Look Good Without Making A Lot of Effort & How To Make The Most Of Your Spare Time.
I really hope that you enjoyed this blog post & I look forward to sharing more with you all soon.
Take care everyone.
Lots of love,
Grace x
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