Being your own boss is pretty awesome. There’s definitely a learning curve, though. Sometimes working from home can be really challenging because you don’t have the same environment/structure of a job outside of the house, and in the beginning it can be a free-for-all.
I’ve been working from home full time for a year and a half now, and I finally have figured out what works best in terms of helping me be productive and efficient! I wanted to share some of those things I’ve learned with you today in case that can be of help to someone else!
- Get dressed. Even if it’s changing into a clean pair of yoga pants, get dressed. Don’t stay in the same clothes you slept in. I promise this will be a huge change in how you feel and how you approach your day! Granted, I mostly wear yoga pants or leggings, but I always make sure I get dressed for the day, brush my teeth, and wash my face. This makes it easier when it’s time to sit down and work because I’m dressed for a normal day.
- Take breaks. When you do sit down for your work, it’s important to take breaks throughout. Sitting at a computer for three hours straight is no good for anyone. Take a break, stand up and stretch and get some water. It doesn’t need to be more than a few minutes, that will be enough to help get you through the next stretch of work.
- Plan out your office time. I have limited time to work (only during Lily’s afternoon nap), so I create a list of just 2-3 things that need to get done. This keeps me from scrolling on my phone or facebook or sort of wasting time. It helps keep me focused!
- Put your phone on airplane mode. Gamechanger for me! I put it on airplane mode or Do Not Disturb mode and put it out of sight. This makes it so much easier for me stay focused on the work in front of me.
- Take care of yourself. If you’re working long hours in a day at home, take regular breaks to eat, go for a walk, work out, and so on. You can’t do your best work if you’re run down, tired, and haven’t eaten!
- Clean your space BEFORE you’re done for the day. The easiest way to avoid doing your work is to show up to a messy space. If my area isn’t clean I HAVE to clean it before I get to work, otherwise I can’t focus!
If you have any tips you’d like to add, share them in the comments below!
Linda is a Maine-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com. To sign up for the monthly newsletter full of encouragement and real life, click here!
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