Here are 4 tips to create a daily remote work routine that keeps you productive while maintaining work-life harmony.
Working remotely presents a myriad of benefits including flexibility, not having to spend hours in traffic during your commute, and unlimited time with your pet. However, it also presents opportunities for a lack of productivity, distractions, and over-working.
Creating your ideal workday allows you to combat the negatives of working from home while taking advantage of the many opportunities and benefits it brings. It gives you the autonomy to create your own schedule that will enhance your productivity while creating daily moments that make working from home all the more enjoyable. Having a structured workday enables you to get the best of both worlds.
Here are 4 things you can do to create your ideal workday while maintaining work-life balance:
1. Create a morning ritual
Your morning ritual consists of the activities you perform from the time you wake up to the time you start working. There is a reason why the most highly successful individuals have nailed their morning routines and don’t go a day without them. President Obama would do a cardio & weight training routine followed by breakfast with his daughters, while Ariana Huffington starts her day off with yoga and meditation. How you start your day sets the trajectory for the remainder of the day.
- First, determine when you need to start work. If you have a predetermined schedule with your team take note of this. If you don’t, create your own start time.
- Based on when you want to start work, you should get up 1-2 hours before. This allows you to get your body and mind in the right place before delving into the necessary tasks for the day.
- Think about what gets you the most energized and focused in the morning. Is it a workout, meditation, or walk around the block? Do this every morning to increase your productivity.
- Eat breakfast, please. Good nutrition is essential.
2. Set your schedule
You’ve determined what time you’ll start working and laid out your morning ritual. Next, you should set your workday schedule. Determine how many hours you will work a day, factor in your lunchtime and end time.
For Example:
- Start work: 9am
- Take a break: 12-1pm
- End work: 6pm
Treat it like you’re going to the office! While this may seem obvious, working remotely can encourage blurring the lines between your work schedule and your life. You could unknowingly take a break that lasts 2-3 hours and puts you behind, and then keep working until 10pm in an attempt to stay on top of everything. Having your work schedule in place holds you accountable while maintaining work-life harmony.
3. When your workday is complete, STOP WORKING
It is very easy to get pulled into working “after hours” especially when working from home. It may start unknowingly at first. You work until 7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm…and soon it becomes a daily habit leaving you burned out.
Combat this by having an evening routine and committing to yourself. Predetermine that after work is “you” time and do something every evening that honors this commitment. So when 6 pm comes, it is time to read your favorite book, or tune into your favorite trainer’s Live Zumba session, or have a Zoom hangout with your best buds. Commit to closing your laptop at the end of the day & do something for yourself.
4. Incorporate your favorite things into your weekday routine
Your ideal workday should incorporate doing some of your favorite activities every day, not just on weekends. You have the amazing opportunity to create your ideal workday - how awesome is that? Use this to your advantage. You’ll enjoy each day so much more when you are being productive and finding time to drizzle your day with activities that make you happy.
About Cindy Makita
Cindy Makita is a Career Strategist & Coach, LinkedIn Career Expert, and founder of Hired Institute. Passionate about helping people take a strategic approach to their job search and land jobs that fit their skills and passions, Cindy is a fervent believer that everyone can and should love their work. She is also a global advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
By Cindy Makita
