Work from home routines are so important! Humans (and our fur babies) love to follow routines, it is so important to create a daily routine that works for you and your family!
Discover our tips and tricks for designing a functional work from home routine for you that are focusing on designating a workspace, meal planning, staying hydrated and active, and mapping out your day.
By creating a work from home routine, you are setting yourself up for a less stressful day at home.
Creating work from home routines set you up for success everyday.
I love knowing what is on my list for the day ahead of me while I drink my coffee… if I do not follow our routine it seems I start all of the projects and complete NOTHING.
Work from home routines shift your mindset, so you dive right into work mode, they also help your brain logout at the end of the day… since your laptop is always staring at you while you are trying to put the kiddos to bed or catch up on Netflix with your partner.
First up, let’s talk morning routines.
Why work from home Morning Routines are so important:
You have to start somewhere when creating your work from home routine, I find it best to start with the morning time.
Start being more intentional about how you are spending that first hour of your day!
According to Forbes, “When you consume content first thing in the morning you are 27% more likely to report having a negative day.”
This is a habit most of us are guilty of… I am definitely guilty of scrolling the ‘gram first thing but I am trying so hard to be more mindful of how I spend my wakeup time.
I really enjoy coffee, like a nice hot cup of coffee is one of my favorite parts of the day. So, I *try* to intentionally drink and enjoy my morning cup of coffee before the morning hustle begins.
What else is a part of your morning routine?
Are you getting the kids ready?
Are you getting YOURSELF ready?
Do you have to pack everyone lunches?
Make sure you are giving yourself 5 minutes to drink your coffee (or tea) and just take the moment to breathe before you start scrolling the internet to solve world hunger or let’s be real… What is the celebrity buzz from People Magazine.
Setting your mindset right first thing in the morning will really change your day!
Let’s go over some tips and tricks for creating your perfect work from home routine.
Meal Prep and Meal Plan… just like you would if you were going into the office.
So, do you pack yourself and the family lunch before the work from home day begins?
Because you should, trust me… It will make your day ONE MILLION PERCENT better.
If you were going to the office, you would have a plan of what you were going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner right? You might have even tossed a banana in your purse for a snack before you grab the kids on the bus line. (the purse banana totally counts as meal planning)
Just because you are working from home, doesn’t mean meal prep and meal planning aren’t a vital part of your work from home DAILY ROUTINE. Check out this related article on why I find meal prep essential.
You don’t have to be fancy to meal prep or meal plan. I use my NOTES section in my phone and I write out like two breakfast and lunch options and map out dinner for the week. Nothing fancy, but it is so easy to reference when I am making my shopping list, when I am ready to have breakfast… all day long.
For lunch, I usually make a big batch of something I can scoop in a bowl like a quinoa skillet that will fill my belly.
As for meal prepping, something simple like learning how to make shredded chicken in the crock pot is a total game changer. Now you have a pile of chicken you can use in pot pie, casseroles, burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas, like endless options here and your cooking time for dinner is like basically cut in half because the meat is cooked.
10/10 recommended. We always have frozen shredded chicken in the freezer and I really think you should too.
Meal prep and Meal Planning will make your work from home daily routine easier, I highly recommend you try out some of these ideas – like TOMORROW!
Create a workspace
Designate yourself a workspace in your home.
This is a very important step in creating a work from home routine! Obviously having a whole office is ideal for working, but not all of us have that luxury.
Whatever your home looks like, carve out a space or have an easy set up (if you need to use the dining room table) and work there everyday.
Get out of the habit of working from your bed in your jammies all day (more on this next) and set your mind right.
Having a clear workspace in your routine will boost your productivity, sometimes I like to sit on my floor chair at my coffee table and sometimes I like to work the day away at my desk. We’re in a one bedroom apartment but I was able to carve out these two spots for myself… both of which I clean up at the end of my work day.
Get Dressed in the morning
Alright, hear me out.
I am not saying you need to put a professional business suit on to work on your laptop. I am not even suggesting JEANS. Because like what are jeans anymore.
BUT, I am saying you should get out of those pajamas you slept in and put on fresh clothes.
Get yourself into a routine where you get dressed everyday and get ready for the day. This will help get your mindset ready for work and I promise, you will feel better and more human which will make you more productive during your work day.
As much as I love being a pajama creature under the covers in my bed with my laptop, I know I get more focused work done when I follow my daily work from home routine and get my daytime leggings on.
Also, invest in a pair of blue light glasses, they truly do work! I have this pair and I really feel a difference in my head and eyes by the end of a long day at the laptop!
Plan your day
When I was 16, I worked with a butcher named Bill, and before we started our day he would always say “Plan your work and work your plan”.
16 years later, I can still hear him saying this. It truly resonated in my soul. I always try to take a few minutes every morning to plan my work.
Before you start your day, be sure to have a plan.
Make a To Do List
Update your Trello Board
Do whatever it is that works for you to make sure you prioritize your day properly.
Planning your day is important for your work from home success!
Drink water
Stay hydrated! Yes this is important even if you are at home in front of your laptop all day.
Do you fill up your reusable water bottle or has that poor bottle been tossed to the back of the cabinet lately?
Dig her out, fill her up, keep your bottle on your desk.
Your body needs water… not just coffee to survive.
Make sure having a full water bottle at your desk is a part of your NEW work from home daily routine.
There is nothing worse than signing off for the day and realizing you only drank a luke warm cup of coffee all day.
You know what I’m sayin’?
Stay hydrated girl, it is good for your body and soul!
Move your body
Move your body during the work day!
Go for a walk outside!
Get the mail from the mailbox!
Maybe invest in an indoor stationary bike!
Find a YouTube yoga video and throw it on your smart TV.
Just do something to move your body throughout the day.
This is so important for your work from home routine, because much like how sitting at a corporate desk from 9-5 is hard on your back… So is sitting in front of your laptop for hours and hours, so take a 15 minute break and move!
Dance!
Walk!
Play with the dog!
Check your mindset
The best for last, when working from home you need to check in with your mindset. Setting up a work from home routine is so important for a positive productive mindset.
We recently wrote about How creating a more positive mindset increases productivity!
And it is worth mentioning again. It is just that important friend!
Creating a work from home routine will set your mindset up for success, your brain will shift in and out of work mode with more ease.
I don’t want you dreaming of spreadsheets and stats anymore because you never signed your brain off for the day.
Maybe pick out two of your favorite songs.
One for the start of the day (anything Lizzo for me) And one of the end of the day (something relaxing like Jack Johnson) to signal your mind when the day has begun and when it is time to sign off.
Creating work from home routine tips
These work from home tips are to ensure you create the work from home daily routine that works for you!
Start your morning without your phone in your face. Social media and the news can wait an hour!
- Be sure to meal prep and meal plan.
- Get dressed for the day.
- Plan your day.
- Check your mindset.
- Create a workspace.
- Drink water.
- Move your body!
You got this mama!
I’m Katie O’Grady, a lifestyle blogger. Working from home gave me the lifestyle freedom I wanted for my family. I love helping other entrepreneurs maximize their productivity in their work from home lifestyle.
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