Five years ago, I wrote an article entitled, “5 Productive Daily Practices for Professionals Who Work from Home”, to support fellow entrepreneurs and professionals working remotely. With COVID-19 changing the way we live and work, I figured it’s a great time for a repost.
Get out of bed. When working from home, it is sooooo tempting to stay in bed and cuddle with your laptop; however, we can be much more productive working in a designated workspace—home office, corner desk, or even the kitchen/dining room table. Not to mention, the positioning of your hands and body when typing while lying in bed can lead to some unwanted medical conditions-carpel tunnel, etc.
Make your bed. Once you’ve figured out how to resist the temptation of working in bed, progress towards the next step of immediately making the bed. What happens when you’re working from home and don’t make your bed? Yep, it whispers sweet nothings begging you to come back and lay down. If you make your bed each morning, even when working from home, you’re less likely to get back in it.
Exercise. Working from home can lead to sedentary behavior and lifestyle, so it’s important to plan and engage in some sort of physical activity each day. Whether you walk, jog, run, swim, or train at the gym, it is generally recommended that we are physically active for 60 minutes each day. Choose the best time of day for you—morning, afternoon, or evening, as long as you get it done.
Eat breakfast and lunch. I don’t know about you, but when I am inspired and ‘on a roll’, I often forget to eat! We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so… Whether you blend a smoothie, boil an egg, or make a bowl of oatmeal or cold cereal, be sure to feed your body to enable your mind to function more efficiently. And, even if you have to set an alarm, don’t forget to eat lunch at least three hours later.
Create and follow a to-do list. The late Mary Kay Ash suggested that out of everything we need to do each day, only six of them are most important. So, one of her time management strategies, which Mary Kay consultants around the world still utilize today, is “6 Most Important Things” list on your daily calendar.
I hope these recommendations support you in planning your day and getting more done, especially while children and students are home in isolation with us. I’ll be posting an article to support parents, as well, since my sons were homeschooled for a couple of years and needed a consistent routine. Don’t worry; I got you!
What productive practices might you add to this list? Please post in the comments.