Productivity Hacks: How To Get (And Stay) Focused When Working From Home
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: february 02, 2018
So if you don't know this about me, I [used to be] a work from home, online interior stylist, working exclusively in the online space — no in person consultations, no in home designs. I [was] also a stay at home mom, so while my husband works full time saving the world (in my head), I'm home with our baby girl full time. And just in case my life wasn't exciting enough...I [was] also an online grad student, working on my Masters in Interior Architecture & Design.
To answer the question you're probably asking yourself — no, I do not leave my house…ever…and i still don’t.
But while this lifestyle may be full of flexibility & autonomy, it is also one that can make one very lazy & very complacent.
This time of year is when everyone is hitting reset for the new year ahead — making resolutions, setting goals, choosing words to serve as their "North Star", etc — all in order to really set the tone for the next 12 months. This doesn't necessarily mean drastic changes of any kind, but there is something about a new year that really makes you go, "I need to get my ish together!"
As someone who's made a life out of always being home, I decided to share with you some of my productivity hacks and ways that I stay focused & keep myself accountable day to day. Are there days I fall short? Absolutely! I enjoy days where I just sit in my robe & catch up on my Apple TV queue, being my best, laziest self. But those days are also few & far between because life can't be all "Netflix & chill". I don't know that I'd even want a life that's all "Netflix & chill".
If you struggle with staying on top of what you need to do, or just want some helpful tips, this post is for you. ]
UPDATE NOTE: while my life has seen many changes in the past 4 years, what hasn’t changed is my at home lifestyle, and a desire to remain productive.
Waking Up Early
I am naturally a morning person, so this isn't too much of a stretch for me — except for the fact that I have a toddler that is also an early bird — but waking up early to a quiet home & a quiet world allows me time to really set the tone & intention for the day. There are a number of things that I do as part of my morning routine — a routine I am constantly tweaking — that set me up for a more successful, productive day:
morning prayer & devotionals
stretching and/or working out
a quick load of laundry
a hearty & [sometimes] healthy breakfast
listening to a podcast or audiobook
enjoying a cup often or coffee
tidying up from the night before
sitting down with my planner
Showering At Night
Getting one step towards creating a more efficient morning routine (especially when you're waking up before the sun, for me, meant taking something off my plate… and I removed showering.
Night time showers not only afford me an extra 10-20 mins every morning, but it also signals to my body that the day is over. I can wash off the day & really start to quiet my mind for a better night's rest...making 5am mornings way easier!
Using A Paper Planner
I have 2 planners that serve me equally. While I practically live in the digital space, I have much respect for the power of putting pen to paper, especially as a productivity tool and just a resource for brain purging. Using paper planners are great for:
less screen time
slowing down to actually plan
creative (and therapeutic) decorating
having a well rounded morning/evening routine
Using Trello a digital planning platform
I really can't say enough about how much I love using Trello, however as of now, it isn’t my main digital hub. A little over a year ago I migrated over to ClickUp. It is a HUGE, integral part of my day to day, especially for feeling like I'm staying on track, being accountable, and just "adulting" like I'm supposed to.
Digital management software is for all of my macro planning.
They’re perfect for mental purges & brain dumps, so I use em to organize all of my plans, ideas, and content, in addition to sharing boards when outsourcing. In short, it allows me to close the many tabs of my brain.
Facebook Groups Online communities
UPDATE NOTE: I haven’t logged into Facebook for socializing purposed in about 2 years, as the landscape has changed so much. While there are still many worthwhile Facebook Groups, this simply was no longer a healthy platform for me. That said, my sentiments re: having online community remain the same.
The online space can be a very lonely place, so being part of kindred spaces are like having coworkers. I've learned an immeasurable amount from the people I’ve met online, and most importantly, I've gotten so much support, motivation, and education. These spaces have been great for accountability and relationship building in all facets of my life, from entrepreneurship to motherhood.
Honorable Mentions
Having a home office or a dedicatedwork area
Using apps like Tomato One & Station
Keeping my body activated with water & vitamins
Reading Daily Devotionals on the Bible App
Adding essential oils to my self-care routines
Listening to podcasts & audiobooks (via Audible)