Written by Megan Rivera, Telecom Recruiter on the East Coast
Written by Megan Rivera, Telecom Recruiter on the East Coast
Working from home has its perks – no commute, the chance to work in your pajamas (if that’s your thing!), and flexibility in schedule. It also has its challenges. Without the structure of an office environment, it’s easy to lose focus or blur the lines between work and personal time. Creating a routine that helps you stay productive while keeping your work-life balance in check is imperative.
1. Start with a Morning Ritual
Before jumping into work mode, ease into your day with a morning routine that sets the right tone. Whether it’s a quick workout, some meditation, eating breakfast or just enjoying a cup of coffee without rushing, this ritual can help you mentally prepare for the day ahead. Think of it as your commute—except without the traffic.
2. Set Clear Work Hours
One advantage of working from home is flexibility. Establish clear work hours, and try to stick to them. This will help you maintain boundaries, so work doesn’t creep into your personal life (or vice versa). Find out what hours work best for you (or what your company will allow). If you prefer starting earlier or later, the key is consistency.
3. Create a Designated Workspace
It’s tempting to work from the couch or even your bed, but your productivity might suffer. Try setting up a designated workspace—a spot that tells your brain, “It’s time to work.” It doesn’t need to be a full home office, but having a desk or a dedicated area can make a big difference in your focus and mindset.
4. Time Blocks + Real Breaks
To stay productive, break your day into time blocks and, most importantly, take real breaks! Schedule larger blocks of time for deep focus and make sure to actually step away during your breaks. Stretch, take a walk, or grab a snack—something that lets you recharge. You’ll find that giving yourself these regular resets keeps your energy up and helps prevent burnout.
5. Dress the Part (At Least Sometimes)
While the freedom to stay in sweats all day is amazing, dressing like you’re going to work can put you in the right mindset. You don’t need to go all out—just changing out of your pajamas into something casual-but-put-together signals that it’s time to get stuff done. You’ll be surprised how much this small change can shift your focus.
6. End the Day with a Wind-Down Routine
Just like a morning ritual can kickstart your day, a wind-down routine can help you transition out of work mode. Close your laptop, tidy your workspace, or jot down tasks for tomorrow. These simple habits can create a mental separation between work and home life, even if both happen in the same place.
7. Stay Social (Even Virtually)
Working from home can feel isolating, so make an effort to stay connected with colleagues or friends. Schedule virtual activities or hop on a quick video call to catch up. Staying social keeps you engaged and adds some human interaction to your day.
Creating a work-from-home routine that works for you might take some trial and error, but the key is balance. You want a structure that keeps you productive while giving you the flexibility to enjoy the perks of working from home.
Keep experimenting until you find what works for you!
