During these crazy times, many of those in digital marketing have been working remotely. Working from home every day was quite an adjustment for me, so here are some tips that helped me!
1. Do Your Regular Morning Routine
If you wake up every morning and roll over to open your laptop, you’re not replicating the same process you’d take if you were going into the office. In my opinion, the time it takes for me to do my morning routine is actually a time for mental preparation -- a time to get in the zone and think about what I need to accomplish and any goals I may be striving for.
Showering, putting on *real* clothes, making breakfast, having tea… these are all the things I would do before heading to the office. When I do them at home, it makes me feel like I’m ready for work.
2. Ditch the Sweatpants
This is a tough pill to swallow for me, but yes: I am more productive when I’m wearing what I’d normally wear to the office (aka not sweats and a hoodie). This tip came from a coworker and close friend of mine, so props to her for figuring this one out. Who knew a pair of jeans could energize me!
3. Take Breaks
This is something everyone does at the office…but do you do it in your home?
I’ve found that it’s easy to “take a break” at my desk or couch or wherever I’m posted up at the time. However, scrolling on my phone for 10 minutes wasn’t giving me the same energy as I’d get from taking a break in the office where I’d walk around, get some water, chit chat with coworkers, etc.
For me, dedicating multiple 5-10 minute breaks throughout the day really made a difference. Whether that’s making a quick snack in the kitchen, grabbing water, video chatting with a coworker, or even walking around your home or outside, take the time so that you can come back energized and ready to grind.
4. Eliminate Distractions
This will vary for everyone, but if you're anything like me and have the attention span of the average squirrel or goldfish, I’d recommend making a few adjustments to eliminate distractions and decrease the odds of distracting yourself.
Here are some tips that helped me:
- Put your phone away, or face down.
- If possible, try to keep your phone off your desk or wherever you’re working.
- Work in solitude, if possible.
- I know not everyone will have the option to do this, but if your living situation permits, try to set up shop in a separate room. Working alone has helped me focus.
Credit: Pinterest
- Listen to music with no words
- I am a rap music fanatic. But every time Kendrick Lamar comes on my shuffle, I have no choice but to sing along and mouth the words. Listening to instrumental music has helped me tremendously.
5. Replicate Your Office Desk Setup
Credit: PCmag
Alright, you don’t have to go too crazy!
Luckily, there are very cheap Bluetooth mouses and keyboards on Amazon. If you aren’t able to get yours from work, this is an option I’d highly recommend. Working on just a laptop can be limiting!
This can be tough depending on your resources and available space. If possible, try to arm yourself with the right equipment to do your job the same exact way you’d do it in the office.
If you don’t have a desk, set up shop at the kitchen table. Working from my couch is nice for small breaks and mindless tasks, but I am the most productive when I’m at a table or desk.
6. Get Offline After Work
I still struggle with this one.
Unplugging from work when your stuff is done can be tough when you work remotely. This is a tip I consistently hear from coworkers who have been fully remote for years.
Knowing I can keep working through the afternoon and night actually impeded my productivity in the morning and during the day. By setting a goal to get offline by a certain time, you’re effectively injecting a sense of urgency into your work. Try it out!
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