A GUIDE TO STAY PRODUCTIVE AT HOME
Oh the joys of working from home… we’re half joking, in case you can’t sense that sarcasm. Lately, most of us have experienced working from home in one way or another. Don’t get us wrong, those who can work and learn from home are in a lucky spot. But whether you’re finishing up a day in the office from home, or working full time from your bedroom, it can be hard to stay focused on a specific work or school task. Luckily, we are here to save the day because we have all the tips and tricks to help you stay focused while working from home!
WAKE UP CALL
We know, you want to hit snooze just one more time on your alarm… BUT waking up with some buffer time before you start working will increase your productivity during the day. ~We cannot stress this enough~ Whether you have class or need to start your work day, waking up 10 minutes before, throwing on some clothes and putting your hair up in a bun is not gonna work. This will set you up for a day of feeling unprepared and rushed. Treat it like a normal day and wake up an hour before work, take a shower, get dressed in a nice outfit (yes, you may need to trade in your sweats for a pair of jeans) and get yourself some coffee. Take some time for yourself in the morning to relax and get yourself ready for the productive day you are about to have! You got this!
KEEP A TO-DO LIST
Here at LIT, we love lists! Write down everything (yes everything) you want to accomplish in the day. Before you start your work for the day, write down a list of all the things you need to do. This could be the homework you have to do, the meeting you need to attend, household chores, or even just a reminder to drink more water! Keeping a list will help your mind declutter. Let us tell you that there is no better feeling than crossing off an item you’ve accomplished on the list. Keep it next to you all day while working to remind yourself. You will thank us later when you have accomplished all of your tasks that you thought might be impossible.
LOOK GOOD FEEL GOOD
To our earlier point… it can be tempting to roll out of bed and throw on whatever articles of clothing are within reach. But put a little love into your look. Not only is it important to stay professional (even on Zoom), but putting on an outfit that you feel good in can help you feel motivated, productive and like the absolute BOSS that you are… even in your bedroom.
Want to perfect your work from home wardrobe? Whether you want to balance comfy and cute, or you want to go all-out power look from home, check out LIT’s Lookbook for Work From Home.
LIT LOVES ORGANIZATION
Staying organized is key! While you are working from home it might be tempting to leave all your papers and laptop chargers and pens and pencils all over the house. Try your best to keep everything in one designated area. Whether you keep all of your stuff at the kitchen table or have your own desk area, keep everything work/school related in one area. This will also help you throughout the day to find things you need! There are even desk dividers that can assist in this process. They make containers perfect for inside desk drawers to keep everything in line.
TAKE A BREAK
Staying at home all day can get repetitive. Nobody wants to wake up...work...sleep and then do it all again the next day. Take advantage of your breaks throughout the day. Put your time to good use and get outside to breathe in the fresh air! Go for a walk around your neighborhood or even take an hour to go to the gym (even if that is another area of your home where you have space for an at-home workout). Staying active is the best way to give your brain a break. You could also start meal prepping for the week to save you some time. Just imagine waking up, walking to your fridge and having a premade breakfast of your favorite kind staring at you. Now that's a good feeling!
We love using our break time for self care too. Taking a few minutes to yourself can alter how you are feeling. So lay back in your comfy recliner, play some relaxing music and put on your favorite face mask. Even if this only lasts 15 minutes, you still will feel so refreshed after!
Doing these simple things everyday can increase your overall productivity while working from home. Setting small goals to accomplish throughout the day is the best way to get things done. Don’t forget to treat yourself and take moments to relax throughout the busy work day. If you have any tips you use, let us know!