How to Get Stuff Done When You're Working from Home

Working from home is now totally normal for a bunch of us. It's cool because you can do your job from anywhere, like your couch or even the beach (if you're lucky). But, let's be real, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. Some challenges include getting distracted by your favorite show, not having a clear schedule, and mixing up work time with chill time. So, I put together some handy tips to keep you on top of your game while you're working from the comfort of your place. Check them out!

1. Create Your Work Nook

Why It's a Big Deal:

Having a special spot to work tells your brain, "Hey, it's work time now!" It keeps your job stuff separate from your home stuff, so you don't go crazy.

How to Make It Happen:

• Pick a place that's not too noisy, has good light, and a chair that doesn't make your butt hurt.

• Get all the gear you need like a solid computer setup, some nice pens, and maybe some earmuffs that cancel out noise.

• If your place is tiny, just find a corner and call it your "work corner." It's all good.

Pro Tip: Make it feel like yours with some cool stuff, but don't go overboard with the distractions.

2. Establish a Schedule

Why It's a Big Deal:

Having a routine is like giving your life a little bit of order, especially when you're working from home and it's easy to get distracted. It's like a switch for your brain that says "Okay, it's time to work now," and then later "Alright, time to chill."

How to Make It Happen:

• Begin your day at the same time every morning, like you would if you were heading out to the office.

• Figure out when you want to work take breaks, and try to stick to it as much as possible.

• Use time-blocking, which is basically planning out your day into chunks for different things you've got to do.

Bonus Tip: Add some little rituals to the mix, like enjoying your morning coffee or squeezing in a quick workout, to get you in the zone for work.

3. Leverage Tech Smartly

Why It's a Big Deal:

Using the right gear can make your work easier, help you stay connected, and eliminate time-wasting activities.

How to Make It Happen:

• Check out cool project management apps like Trello, Asana, or Notion to keep tabs on what you gotta do and when it's due.

• Chill and work with others using chat platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom.

• Keep distractions at bay with focus-boosting tools such as Focus@Will or some browser add-ons like StayFocusd.

Pro Tip: Don't go crazy with apps; just pick a few that fit your way of working like a glove.

4. Set Some Rules

Why It's a Big Deal:

Working from home can make it hard to tell when you're supposed to be working or chilling, and it can lead to either working too much or getting distracted all the time.

What to Do:

• Let your family, roommates, or buddies know when you're on the clock.

• Do something simple like shutting your door or popping on headphones to show you're in work mode.

• Don't stress over non-important work stuff when you're supposed to be off the clock.

Bonus: Use that sweet "Do Not Disturb" feature on your phone or laptop to keep things zen during your deep-thinking times.

5. Master Time Management

Why It's a Big Deal:

When you're working on your own without a boss breathing down your neck, knowing how to handle your time is super important to get stuff done.

How to Make It Happen:

• Check out the Eisenhower Matrix to figure out what you really need to do now and what can wait. It's like sorting your to-do list into 'do it now' and 'do it later' piles, but fancier.

• Give the Pomodoro Technique a shot: work for 25 minutes, then chill for 5. It's like playing a game with your time, but you win by being productive.

• Before you sign off for the day, plan what you're going to do tomorrow. That way, you can dive straight into work without wasting time thinking about what to do.

Bonus Tip: Mix up your work. Do some intense stuff, then some easy stuff. It's like a workout for your brain - you don't want to exhaust it.

6. Take Breaks

Why It's Important:

You might think working like a machine is the way to go, but really, it just makes you tired and less good at your job.

How to Do It:

• Take little breaks every hour to move around and get some water. Sitting all day is like telling your brain to take a nap.

• When it's lunchtime, actually leave your desk. It's like a mini vacation for your brain.

• If you can, go for a quick walk outside. Fresh air and sunshine are like a reboot for your system.

Pro Tip: Treat breaks like part of your job. Put them in your calendar like you would a meeting. They're that important.

7. Stay in Touch with Your Work Pals

It's important to keep that team spirit up because working from home can get pretty lonely, and nobody likes a sad worker bee. Plus, it's good for getting stuff done.

What to Do:

• Just set up some chill video or phone calls with the gang to catch up and see how everyone's doing.

• Join in on those virtual chit-chats or do some fun team-building games online.

• Let everyone know what you're working on so you all stay on the same page. It's cool to chat about work stuff casually, too.

Pro Tip: Make sure to throw in some jokes or personal stories to keep the vibe friendly and fun.

8. Don't Let Work Take Over Your Life

Why It Matters:

If you don't set some limits, work can sneak into your personal time, and that's a recipe for stress and burning out faster than a candle on a hot summer day.

How to Make It Work:

• When it's quitting time, just log off and step away from the computer. Seriously, pretend like you're actually leaving the office.

• Spend your free time doing things you love, like hanging with family, watching TV, or getting crafty.

• Try not to work from bed, unless you want to think about emails every time you lay down. It's all about keeping work out of your Zen zone.

Pro Tip: Use the time you'd spend commuting to do something for yourself, like learning a new hobby or just chilling out.

9. Take Care of Your Body and Mind

Why It Matters:

You've gotta have a good head on your shoulders and be in tip-top shape to keep kicking butt at work.

How to Make It Work:

• Get moving, even if it's just doing some quick workouts at home.

• Eat good food and drink plenty of water. You're not a plant, but you still need to be watered regularly.

• Find some chill time to meditate or just be mindful. It's like hitting the reset button on your brain.

Pro Tip: Treat your mental health breaks like real appointments. Put 'em on your calendar and stick to 'em.

10. Review and Chill

Why It's a Big Deal:

Checking in with yourself often lets you know what's going good and what's not so hot.

How to Make It Happen:

• At the end of the day, just think about what you did and what you could do better.

• Once a week, look at your goals and stuff you're doing to reach them. Maybe change it up if it's not working.

• Remember to pat yourself on the back for the little things you nail.

Pro Tip: Write it down in a diary or use something like Daylio to keep track of how you're doing.

Conclusion

To rock it while working from home, you need to be self-disciplined, plan well, and take care of yourself. Set limits, use cool tools, and focus on feeling good. Try these ideas, make them your own, and you'll totally kill it. You'll find working from home can be both productive and super satisfying.