Working from a home office looks idyllic—no commute, your personalized playlist, total comfort. But up close, it can be a jolt to your workflow: mind-boggling, time-warping, and sometimes hair-pulling. Here's what I've learned about staying productive, sane, and happy to be working from home.
Manage Expectations
Expectations can be a stressor–whether they come from clients, colleagues, or your inner critic. Meeting people where they are in their personal and professional journey and then accepting and appreciating them for who they are and what they bring to the table is a valuable quality. It's often much easier to do this with others than it is with ourselves. Working from home can be an opportunity to gain a better understanding of yourself. So, be patient with yourself, take some notes, reflect on your days (including successes and failures), and then use those observations to move forward to a more productive tomorrow. Understanding yourself and how you prioritize tasks, work, life, fitness, social events, and other aspects of life can help you be more mindful when scheduling your work.
- Clarify deliverables: List exactly what's due and when.
- Track small wins: Jot down today's victories to build momentum.
- Reflect nightly: Spend five(ish) minutes reviewing what worked (and what didn't) so tomorrow goes smoother.
Boundaries & the 24/7 Caveat
Flexibility is great—until work bleeds into every hour. Boundaries are a good thing. Co-workers, peers, bosses, and clients should collaborate to establish a schedule that balances workload, allows for deep work, provides personal breathing room, and meets deadlines.
- Set work hours and share them with your team.
- Agree on "deep-work" blocks so co-workers won't ping you.
- Treat off-hours messages as "nice-to-have," not urgent.
- Find your peak time: Night owl? Morning person? Let your natural rhythm guide you—but don't expect others to keep your schedule.
For some people, the ability to complete work at any time, as long as meeting expectations, is a significant advantage. Creatives, for example, might thrive in the wee morning hours. Parents with small kids or even teenagers might have a quieter environment in the late evening.
For example, I can be a bit of a night owl, and if I'm struggling to break through on a creative concept or need focused time writing to knock down writer's block, it's likely to be in the wee hours of the morning when those things happen. I might email a client at 2 AM but would never expect them to respond, although I've been surprised at how often others do respond at those hours. However, I would never text a client outside of regular business hours.
Have a cooperative spirit, talk with people, and find what works.
Craft Your Space
That enviable home office or workspace. We've all seen it in a magazine, on HGTV, or a peer's Twitter or Facebook feed…right, wow, they're gorgeous. Wait, hard stop, danger do not compare! Any space can work—no HGTV makeover required.
Dos
- Good lighting & minimal clutter
- A "do not disturb" signal for housemates (and pets)
- Make a plan with the fam or roommates (schedule breaks and meals, be clear about when you are working and need uninterrupted time)
- Prep the pets (maybe their favorite spot is the pillow by your desk, but if you need absolute silence during that Zoom call, it's perhaps time for them to visit another family member or housemate)
- Post a do not disturb sign (necessary for would-be door knockers and solicitors)
- Fly the nest occasionally. Get up. Hydrate. Stretch.
- Change your scenery. Even in a great workspace, relocating for a few hours can help spark productivity and creativity.
Don'ts
- Consider your laptop and a comfy chair or sofa to be your office. It won't end well! Using your computer and a comfortable space for a change of scenery is acceptable, but it's not a long-term solution.
- Work in the dark
- Expect that you won't be interrupted.
- Spend all your time in your workspace.
- Let personal business creep into your workspace (this can be a real challenge when working from home, but I found that keeping a specific location for personal business, such as health information and bills, keeps my workspace, well, working).
Next Up – Have a Plan
This one is simple. Plan your day, and do it the night before. Use a bullet journal or notebook, a digital planner, Google calendar, iCal…one or all. It doesn't matter. Just have a plan. By its nature and definition, priority is singular—or at least it should be—so keep that in mind.
By its nature and definition, priority is singular—or at least it should be—so keep that in mind.
More than all other reasons combined, I've experienced more haphazard, barely productive days simply because I didn't have a plan. When working from home, it's too freakin' easy to start handling the email or picking up where you left off on a project, and suddenly… it's noon. Darn, it!
I'm not always great at this, but having the plan done the night before always works better!
- Use a bullet journal, digital planner, or calendar—whatever works.
- Prioritize 3–5 tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Review first thing each morning, then dive in.
Fuel Up Smartly
You may be a super human, but you're not superhuman. Sleep, exercise, and eat healthily. Consume plenty of water and coffee (our life fuel). Take breaks, relax, and don't take yourself too seriously.
It's never good to spend too much time in your head. Being in the same space or location for days and having limited contact with others can be a pitfall in itself. Be mindful not to lose sight of your workload, priorities, and the time available to achieve your goals. You can Google and find a myriad of supposed strategies for being hyper-productive…if you find one that works and can stick to it, then KUDOS to you!
Personally, those routines always feel like something else to manage, so for me, keeping it simple is a good place to start – spending time away from electronic devices, taking time outdoors, even if it's just sitting, going for a daily walk, or throwing the frisbee for the dog. Things like a full workout, an hour of yoga, or a 3-mile walk are just icing on the cake.
- Keep water (and coffee) close—but don't let caffeine replace breaks.
- Step away from screens: a quick walk or playing frisbee with your pup can also reboot your focus.
- Skip rigid routines if they feel like "one more thing to manage." Simplicity wins.
Keep it Simple, Keep it Kind.
Keep in mind that I'm not a mental health expert, and these tips are simply what has worked for me. Everyone is different, so you do you. Remember to be patient with yourself and others as you settle into the home-office groove. Small, practical habits now will pay off in long-term comfort.
Be practical in setting up your working space and managing your workload. Your health is important, and establishing good habits now can significantly improve your long-term productivity and overall well-being.