1. Build a routine

Even though you’re working a few feet from your bed and kitchen, you still need to develop a daily routine. Get ready for your day just as if you would if you had a job to go to. You will feel better about your day and you are allowing yourself “ME” time in the morning. This doesn’t mean you put on dress clothes like you’re headed to the office. This just means do your normal routine, grab some shorts and a shirt, have some breakfast, maybe through a load of laundry in and be ready to work.  Establishing your routine will help you for day to day planning.  Sometimes friends of mine will ask if I can watch their kids or maybe go with her for a mid-morning walk. I know this is possible because I know what my schedule looks like for the day and I know what needs to get done first.

2. Take Breaks

Don’t think that because you’re working from home you’re not entitled to taking breaks. You have your routine, you know what your day to day looks like now. Get out of the house, go to the park. Go for that walk with your friend. Run to the store, maybe do some household chores that aren’t too consuming. This will all depend on your daily work load though. Don’t just sit in front of your computer pounding away at the key board all day. Before you know it, the day is gone and you haven’t a clue what your making for dinner.

3. Stay Hydrated.

It’s important to stay hydrated. Like I mentioned above don’t sit at your desk all day. Get up and fill that bottle of water. I don’t drink enough water if it is in a cup. So, I keep a Bottle with a straw full of ice water. I like to add Lemon to give it some flavor as well. During your breaks get up and walk around, change the laundry around and fill your water before you sit back down.

4. Keep your motivation up with music

Listening to music has all kinds of bonuses, one being that it is a good motivator. Have fun with your day. Just like when you’re in the car and you hear a song that make you turn up the radio and dance around in your seat. Do this at home, it’s a motivator, and an energy booster. When we were living in our house I would just turn the music channel on just for back-ground noise. Now that we are in the RV I have a portable Bluetooth speaker that I play off my phone.

5. Healthy snacks and meals during the day

You don’t need me telling you to eat healthy or coaching you on healthy food. Just like working in an office, heavy foods will make you tired and not energetic. In this line of work, you need the motivation and the energy to stay with it. If you can help it stay away from those energy drinks filled with sugar. My husband and I just started taking pre-work out drinks, they help keep me motivated all day without the crash.

6. Dedicate a workspace for yourself

Create yourself a space to work, this could be a desk in a corner or a fully designated room for your office. This will be where you can transition from day to day life to working. This can be a struggle being under the same roof. If you have the option to have an entire room to yourself for work, make it fun. Use bright colors and decorate it in a way that fits you. Being in the RV I sit at the kitchen table. It’s not much but I have plants by the window and a calendar on the wall. That’s really about all I need to work.

7. End your day at a reasonable time.

Working from home provides flexibility in schedule so don’t overdo it by doing late night tasks or answering emails.  Cut off at a reasonable time. When I started, I thought the expectation was I worked whenever I got an email. I learned quick that I need to cut off at 5pm. It’s hard to say no when your client has a three-hour time difference.  Make sure you clients know what time zone you’re in and what your end of day time is. Working from home does not mean you signed up to be a work-a-holic.

If you have some tips or habits that help you stay on track and productive, feel free to share them.