How to Have a Thriving Work-from-Home Life

Working from home often feels like a teeter-totter between avoiding work at all costs (hey, I’ve been meaning to clean out this drawer for a while now…) and settling into hours of busy work with rare bursts of genius productivity. 

For most of us, it’s better than the alternative- alarms, traffic, unchosen coworkers, being “managed.”  But this also puts us in the position of managing things that you may have never been prepped for, playing zone defense with the kids, keeping an office space clear of empty coffee mugs and hot pocket sleeves, and finding time to have fun when your laptop is “right there.” 

You might be able to “make it work,” but I think we can do better than that. Here are 5 tips to absolutely thrive working from home.

Plan the journey

In our quest to get things done and achieve goals, we often overlook the most critical component- the journey, in other words, what you’ll be spending your actual lifelong minutes doing and feeling on a daily basis.

Do you really want to spend hour after hour “getting it done”- no, that’s what leads to random drawer cleaning instead of finishing the project you were supposed to start on yesterday.

How can you take a mundane task that requires sitting at a laptop and turn it into an adventure? 

Here are some ideas:

• Create different work zones throughout your home so that you’re not sitting in the same space every day
• Change locations to cool spots that you wouldn’t normally go to - the hip coffee shop that you don’t feel quite cool enough to go to, an outdoor spot with a view (ooh, luxurious)
• Plan VIP breaks with decked-out lattes and treats
• Meet up with people to work, feeding off the productive vibe of people around you.

Ritualize the Mundane

Important tasks can easily become monotonous and uninspiring. To combat this, why not ritualize them? Instead of mindlessly taking a quick shower, turn it into a transformative experience. Create a bath ritual a few times a week, complete with aromatic salts and warm water. Treat yourself to a full-scale scrub and massage. This intentional act of self-care elevates the mundane to something special, allowing you to appreciate the value of taking care of yourself. It's a small but powerful way to infuse significance into everyday tasks.

Systematize Your Life

Workplaces thrive on rules and regulations to maintain order and efficiency. Similarly, we can benefit from establishing our own set of guidelines at home. To streamline your life and enhance productivity, consider implementing effective systems and structures.

Take inspiration from the concept of digital minimalism and manage your files and documents in a way that brings clarity and organization. Dedicate time to clean and organize your space, especially before tackling intense projects or recording sessions. This pre-day preparation sets the stage for focused and uninterrupted work.

Cultivate a Productive Environment

The physical environment plays a significant role in our productivity and overall well-being. When designing your workspace, aim to create an environment that inspires and supports your goals. Plan your work setup in a way that blends mobility and regularity, allowing you to adapt to different tasks.

Seek out natural light whenever possible, as it not only brightens up your space but also helps regulate your circadian rhythm. Avoid confining yourself against a wall; instead, create a visual space in front of you, promoting a sense of openness and creativity. Additionally, incorporating plants into your workspace can do wonders for reducing stress and restoring your ability to concentrate.

And don't forget the importance of nourishing your body—choose food options that boost energy and promote overall well-being. Making conscious choices about your diet can have a profound impact on your productivity and mood.

Develop a Digital Brain

In our increasingly digital world, it's essential to leverage technology to enhance our productivity. One effective strategy is to free your mind from the burden of holding onto information and ideas. Embrace the convenience of digital tools to capture and organize your thoughts.

Jot down ideas and inspirations in apps like Apple Notes, ensuring that they are easily retrievable and neatly organized. Make use of the Reminders app to create lists for various aspects of your life, such as video projects, errands, or meal planning.

As productivity guru David Allen wisely said, "Your brain is for having ideas, not for holding them." By digitizing your thoughts and tasks, you can declutter your mind and create mental space for creativity and problem-solving.

By embracing the journey and implementing these productivity tips, we can transform our daily routines into fulfilling and balanced experiences. Productivity goes beyond the mere completion of tasks—it's about finding joy and purpose in each moment.

So, let's remember to make every task an adventure, ritualize the mundane to add significance, systematize our lives to bring order, cultivate inspiring environments, and leverage digital tools to free our minds. With these strategies in place, we can navigate the complexities of modern life with grace and achieve a true sense of fulfillment.