How to Work From Home (From Someone Who Hates It)

What a year these past few weeks have been. I see similar thoughts all over the Internet and I’ve never agreed more with a sentiment. With all the craziness in the world, it’s been nice to stay home and feel safe and somewhat normal in my own bubble. More on this in a later post, but I’ve been trying to enjoy a slower pace of life. No obligations, and no excuses. Whether you’re an introvert who thrives alone or an extrovert who craves social interaction, we all have the same 24 hours a day. Social distancing has really shed a lot of light on how I choose to spend my time. (We may or may not have watched all of The Tiger King in one sitting, and that’s okay…)

The biggest adjustment for me has been working from home. It’s provided a sense of normalcy in my life (most of my waking hours during the week are still spent working, albeit without my usual commute), but it’s also been difficult. I realized very quickly I dislike working for home. It’s not for me. All of you who say you love and want your companies to allow you to work from home whenever – can you explain this to me?

Those of you who work from home and thrive in it – mad respect. You all have inspired this post.

Maybe it’s because I may be more extroverted than I realized, but I find the most productive and efficient way of working (for me) is to be in the same room with the people I’m collaborating with. Messaging all day via Slack and Email isn’t needed when you can just meet in person for 20 minutes to iron a task out. For the foreseeable future, however, it will be a reality.

I know not everyone has the luxury of being able to work from home, so I realize that I am incredibly fortunate to have the option of doing so at this time. I’m equipped with the tools and team I need to work from home and am trying to make the most of it – and it’s a very new experience for me! I’ve spent the last couple of weeks adjusting to WFH life – some days are more successful than others – but these are the tips that I’ve picked up from others and learned myself, that help make the days productive and satisfying.

How to Get Sh*t Done Working From Home

+ Pretend like you aren’t working from home

This might be a no brainer, but when you mentally allow yourself to work from home, you might be more inclined to do things around the house (even when you shouldn’t). Think about it this way – you wouldn’t do the dishes or a load of laundry during the day normally, because you would be in the office. It’s easy to look around your house and want to fix things the minute you notice them, but try not to. Save the chores for before or after your workday. Avoid working from your bed. “Pack” your lunch if you can.

+ Get in a routine

As someone who craves routine and structure in my life to keep me disciplined, it took me a while to get into a WFH groove. Try to stick to your usual routine as much as possible, but also don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t as regimented as normal. We still try to wake up between 6 and 7 AM, but will allow ourselves to sleep in if we need it (now is the time to get your full 8 hours of sleep!). I also still try to exercise in the mornings before work, have defined hours that are dedicated to working only, and get to free time (virtual happy hours, Netflix, blogging, cooking) afterward.

+ Make your bed

Almost everyone who works from home regularly says this, and I have to say it really works. What a difference this small action makes. Even if you are not the tidiest person, making your bed takes less than five minutes and instantly freshens up your entire home. You’ll feel more accomplished and put together, even if you don’t organize anything else. Your mom was 100% right – make your bed every morning!

+ Define your work attire

I’ve accepted that my WFH attire is athleisure and sweats, and I’m entirely happy with that decision. However, some people find they are more productive when they wear their usual work attire. Figure out what works best for you! Personally, I am enjoying the time I am saving from not wearing makeup and deciding what to wear every day.

+ Time block

The most effective thing for me to do when working from home is to batch my tasks and work in timed increments. If I don’t have to be in a meeting, I write down all of my tasks and choose one to work on. I’ll then set a timer for 15-30 minutes, depending on the task at hand, and will only allow myself to work on that one thing until the timer goes off – no checking my phone! Once the timer goes off, I allow myself a short break before getting back into my to-do list.

This is how I’ve studied for tests in the past and handled lengthy to-do lists – it really keeps me from going crazy when there’s a lot on my plate. There are a lot more distractions for me at home (my fiancé and dog being the main ones) than in the office, so working in short but efficient sprints keeps me productive.

+ Treat yourself

It’s hard to stay disciplined and motivated right now. It’s ok to be less productive than you normally are or feel like you’re in a funk. Now is not the time to beat yourself up for skipping a workout, sleeping in, or doing happy hour more than usual. Do what feels right for your body and take the time to figure out what the new normal looks like for you.

What are your best WFH tips?