Working From Home and Avoiding Being NSFW

As a freelance visual practitioner, I am well aware that working from home can be both a blessing and a challenge. To avoid what I (affectionately?) call "low energy days", here are a few of the strategies I have been using to keep on the productive side. As an added bonus, these practices help make sure I am presentable should I leave the house.

Please share your tips for success on how you remain productive while working remotely!

1. Morning Routine

A morning ritual gets your day off to a consistent start. I'm not entirely happy with my morning routine at the moment, but I'm trying a few new ways to start my day that don't include immediately jumping onto email or social media. Even though it is a work in progress, I will say that a staple of my morning is getting dressed!! As much fun as it is to lounge in pajamas all day, for me it does not mix well with productivity. I make sure to get dressed like I am going out in public, even if I plan to work from home.

2. Exercise

When I start my day with activity, I definitely get more done. This month I am working on Betty Rocker's 30 Day Challenge which is a group of 15 minute exercise videos. Most weekdays I also head to the yoga studio for a 7:30 am class.

3. Timeblocks

I have several timers set up on my phone to help me manage my time. I refer to these units of time as timeblocks and they keep me from spending too much time on any one task. My timers are set for 5, 10 or 25 minutes, depending on the task. Without my timers, I would definitely more time than necessary. For example, today I needed to order some markers online, so I set a timer for 10 minutes. It should have been a simple purchase but before I knew it my timer was going off. I reset the timer and moved more quickly to finish the order so I could move on to another project. Without the reminder from the timer, who knows how much time I could have wasted!

4. Lists

I'm a constant list maker. They help me remember what I need to do, and I feel satisfied when I get to cross an item off! I've tried online applications, scraps of paper, bullet journaling and post it notes and they all seem to work pretty well. I tend to change my method a lot because I really like variety. At the moment I am trying a new post it technique where I move post its between TO DO, TODAY, and DONE columns. I like the tactile and visual nature of this system so far.

5. Breaks

In between timers I like to take mini breaks. It might be a tiny break where I go pet the cat or get something to drink. A more substantial break might include a short walk outside. Either way, I make sure to step away from my screen and move! I've been using a Fitbit that vibrates if I haven't taken at least 250 steps in an hour. Between this and my timers, I keep myself from spending to long of a stretch hunched over the computer.

6. Fun

Finally, I have to have some fun while I work. I love music and podcasts so I usually have one or the other playing on my speakers. Other times I might put on a familiar TV series like my favorite, Parks and Rec, and enjoy the chatter in the background.

How do you stay productive, either in the office or working remotely! I'd love to hear your strategies.

Wishing you a productive day!

Ellen O'Neill

Noted by Ellen