Happy Monday!
Still haven't quite gotten the hang of working from home?
After talking to a friend, it dawned on me that it took me a minute to really it get down.
Let me give you 5 tips I learned the last 5 years I've been working from home on and off.
a :

1) Create a dedicated space
This could be your desk or somewhere in your dining room table. Either way, dedicate a space where you get your work done. When you sit there, your mind knows that it's time to get things done, to get in your zone.

You want your brain to associate this space with work. Try to avoid getting on social media or other distractions. If you want a break or distraction, get up and do it somewhere else.

1a) Ideally, this space is where you work every day. Try not to move around too much. Let's be real, when you're trying to find "just the right space" all the time, you're probably procrastinating

1b) Don’t work in your bedroom (if you can help it). This really helps in separating work/work stress from where your mind associates with rest.

2) Work in 25 min intervals, if you can.
My friend shared the Pomodoro Technique with me & it's been a game-changer. Basically, you work in 25-minute intervals & after each interval, you take a 5-minute break.

During your break you, ideally, move around and/or stretch. Do something completely different from the task at hand so your brain can take a small break. Then, you go at it again. You do this 4 times and then take a 15-30 min break. Then, repeat it all over again.

For my 25-minute intervals, I love the Forest App ( https://www.forestapp.cc/ ). I can set my timer, grow my little tree, and it forces me to stay out of my phone.

3) Cut your day- switch into "real clothes" (or your daytime pajamas) before work
I found that when I'm intentional about showering & changing into something different before work instead of after, I draw a clear distinction between my morning routine and when it's time to work

4) Cut your day- plan something after work you look forward to doing.
How many of us feel like its March 222? How many of us feel like the week is one long Monday?
Well, let me help you with that.

Instead of procrastinating throughout the day, do what you have to do within work hours and plan something you look forward to doing after work. Plan to video chat with a friend, try a new recipe with your partner, or watch that new show you've heard about.

Cutting your day will go a long way in creating clear distinctions between your work time and your "you" time.
Thank me later.

5) Stop doing the most
No, you don't have to cook lunch or do laundry while you're wfh. Yes, it's very tempting and maybe it works on your extra light days. However, it usually just creates extra unnecessary stress and prolongs your workday.

So, what’s the name of the game? Boundaries. The better you are at laying them out & enforcing them, the better your work from home experience will be. And let’s be real, it’s annoying to still be working at 10pm because you procrastinated all day.

Try them, let me know how it goes.

Hope this helps! What other tricks have you learned while working from home?