Working from home (WFM) can be a dream come true for a lot of people. Still, it also has its unique set of challenges. One of the biggest ones is staying creative and productive without getting distracted or procrastinating. Our Auggies have been focused on sharing their WFH tips and tricks to keep fellow team members inspired and thriving during business hours.
Here are 10 Auggie-approved ways to keep your brain churning and your productivity high while you’re hustling remotely:
1. Create a Dedicated Workspace
First things first. Set up a designated space so you can work without distractions. This could be a separate room, a cozy nook in your living room or even a spot at your home’s kitchen table. Having a designated workspace helps you to mentally separate your work and personal life and avoid the temptation to work from your bed or slouch on your couch with your laptop (been there, done that).
Make sure your workspace is comfortable and allows the flow of productivity. If possible, invest in a good chair (your back will thank you later), keep your area clutter-free and ensure you have adequate lighting. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference a well-designed workspace can make in your daily routine.
2.Set Up a Schedule and Stick to It
WFH can be a double-edged sword if not done right because you have much more flexibility regarding when and how you work. To stay on top of your game, it’s important to establish a routine and stick to it as much as possible. Meaning you should try to wake up and have lunch every workday at the same time. Having a consistent routine will help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
Creative Auggie Jared tells us that: “Keeping the same morning routine as I had when I used to commute to an office 20 to 30 minutes away has kept everything fairly normal for me and usually leaves me with a nice little gap of free time for mindless scrolling, a coffee refill or that dreaded last-minute app update before the day officially starts.”
Whether you follow a traditional 9-to-5 or a flexible schedule, it’s best to set and keep consistent timeframes for each workday.
3. Dress For The Part
Staying in your PJs all day can be tempting when working from home. After all, who’s going to know? However, what you wear can significantly impact your productivity and mindset. By wearing comfortable yet presentable clothing, you signal to your brain that it’s time to get to work. As a result, you can feel more professional and put-together, which can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the day.
Plus, if you have any unexpected video calls or meetings, you won’t have to scramble to change out of your superhero t-shirt and sweats into something more appropriate. Yeah, this is valid, even if you’re only dressed up from the waist up. So, here’s to you and your cool innovative-fabric, moisture-wicking shorts.
4. Limit Distractions
When WFH, it can be easy to blur the lines between work and personal life. To avoid burnout and stay productive, you need to set clear boundaries. This could mean establishing specific work hours or creating a routine that helps you separate work from leisure time. Maintain these boundaries and share them with your family or roommates so that they know when you’re not available.
You can also set short- and long-term goals for yourself and regularly track your progress. This can give you a sense of accomplishment when you reach your goals.
Extra Auggie advice: If your company uses a task manager app, great! If not, there are plenty of free and paid options to help you stay on top of your tasks and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
5. Connect With Your Colleagues
Working from home can be isolating, but this doesn’t mean you need to become the protagonist of Cast Away 2. However, having your own “Wilson” might add a special touch to your WFH space. Seriously, make sure you’re staying connected during work hours with your colleagues, whether through video chat, calls, IMs or email. This can help you stay motivated and engaged with your work and provide a sense of camaraderie that you might be missing from working in a physical office.
Once you’re done for the day, meeting up and messaging with friends or just striking up a conversation with a neighbor can make a big difference. This will help you feel more energized to tackle your daily work responsibilities.
6. Take Breaks Regularly
Taking breaks is key to maintaining productivity and creativity. You should take short breaks every 30 minutes to an hour to stretch your legs, grab a drink, get some fresh air, take a 10-minute walk or just step away from your screen.
Taking longer breaks throughout the day is important to recharge your batteries and prevent burnout. Short and long breaks can help you return to your daily hustle with a fresh perspective.
Our PR Director, Cambi, says, “Walking the dogs is a great excuse to get outside, and I try and value that time as a chance for me to reset and then get back into work.”
7. Find Inspiration in Your Surroundings
Working from home can get pretty monotonous if you do the same thing day in and day out. Yet, it also gives you more control over your environment. Since inspiration can come from many different places, it’s essential to seek it out regularly. Even if you have a dedicated workspace at home, it can be helpful to switch up your environment every once in a while. This could mean taking your laptop to a nearby coffee shop, working from a park bench or just moving to a different room in your place.
It can also be a good idea to try a new recipe for lunch, take a different route on your daily walk or start a new hobby during your downtime. Or add some plants, art, collectibles or other trinkets to your workspace that makes you feel happy and motivated. Reading books or articles about your industry and following thought leaders on social media can help, too. You never know what might spark your creativity and let you come up with fresh ideas, so surrounding yourself with inspiration can help keep you more motivated and engaged in your work.
Extra Auggie advice: Music can be a great way to get in the zone and stay focused while you work your magic. You could even create a group playlist with coworkers as another way to stay connected while WFH.
8. Get Plenty of Rest
At this point, you should know that getting enough sleep is quintessential for staying productive and creative regardless of where you work from. Still, WFH can make it easier for you to work longer hours and answer emails at midnight. That’s why it’s incredibly important to recharge your battery for at least 7 to 8 hours each night and try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Yes, even during the weekend. This can help you stay more focused, productive and alert while working.
9. Stay Active and Eat Well
On the flip side, don’t neglect your body’s daily activity and nutritional requirements. Staying active is vital to maintaining productivity and creativity. That is precisely why you should try incorporating physical activity into your daily routine — if you’re not already doing it — such as walking or working out. Even 30 minutes can make a big difference in how you feel each day since exercise reduces stress and improves focus, which is essential for performing like a pro.
Bri from our Client Partnerships team shared with us that she keeps a flat treadmill to slide under her desk. This makes her feel more productive doing heads-down work when walking, and she doesn’t have to worry about getting enough steps in for the day. As Bri says, that’s a win-win, for sure.
It’s also important to remember that what you put in your body can directly impact your mood, focus and overall well-being. So, while it may be tempting to opt for convenient, pre-packaged snacks or order takeout from your favorite local restaurant, planning and preparing nutritious meals can make all the difference; like Stacia from our Copy team, who does meal prep and batch cooks 3 to 4 days of meals at a time, so she always has something ready to eat.
Extra Auggie advice: Don’t forget to keep a water bottle on hand and aim to stay hydrated during the day. Taking care of your body with healthy habits can help you feel energized, motivated and ready to tackle whatever the workday throws your way.
10. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a powerful tool for staying focused and creative and helping to manage stress. You can practice it by taking a few deep breaths, meditating or just taking a few minutes to focus on your thoughts and feelings. This will help you stay present and focused on your work, which is essential for maintaining productivity and creativity. On top of that, there are dozens of great apps that can provide a more professional guide on mindfulness for today’s hectic life.
Think of These Tips as Your WFH Survival Kit — and Beyond
If you still find yourself stuck in a rut, even with all these tips, try mixing up your routine a bit. This could mean talking to your manager about taking on a new project or task or revamping your workspace now and then to keep things fresh by moving your desk, table or chair from one side to another. Sometimes changing one thing is all it takes to fuel up your engagement and inspiration.
Here’s to WFH like a boss now and always.