Working From Home — 8 Tips to Jump Start Your Creativity
There was no preparing for a world in which you’re suddenly forced to alter everything. Childcare, gone. Workplaces, closed. Self-care escapes that involved anything other than a quick trip to the nearly-empty-but-full-of -suspicious-looking-shoppers grocery store, don’t even think about it. But this, for a little while at least, is our reality and I’m of the mindset that we can make the best of it.
This isn’t a typical “work from home” guide because these aren’t typical situations we’ve found ourselves in. We’re suddenly stay-at-home parents, teachers, and breadwinners all in one and if that isn’t enough to send most of us into a downward spiral, I don’t know what is.
Maybe you’ve lost your workplace and are now working from a makeshift desk in your bedroom. Maybe your kids are out of school and you’re struggling to keep them occupied AND yourself productive. Maybe you’re all just going a little bit stir crazy.
The thing I’ve found most beautiful about this time, is that unlike any other time in history, we are all truly in this together. We have each other to lean on, maybe not physically, but virtually, emotionally leaning in from afar. Communities are coming together and can relate to each other in new ways and it’s beautiful to behold. Sure, I long for the day when we can enjoy “patio season” at our favorite restaurant and I can’t wait to book our next vacation, or even just run to the grocery store without a fear of becoming the next pandemic statistic. That day is coming.
But for now, let’s cultivate beautiful, grace-filled spaces at home (something I’ve always been passionate about and now, I’m just forced to be ;)
Before opening Simple Coffee Co. I worked from home for just under five years. With two little girls (who were two and a baby at the time), I created my blog, stretched my boundaries to create structure at home, and figured out what worked for me. I still do the majority of my work at home, or during slow moments (which is all the time right now) at the cafe, and so I wanted to offer some solidarity and advice for those of you who might be struggling to find your rhythm with the ever changing sense of normal.
Reframe your mindset
First and foremost, it’s super helpful to have a shifted mindset when you work from home. It never will — pandemic or not — be the same as working from an office or even a co-working space. Your home is for LIVING in, so don’t put the same pressure to be “perfect” or as productive as your standard workplace was. Once you’ve adjusted (or better yet, eliminated) your expectations you’ll be able to get things done without unnecessary pressure.
“Time block” your day
From here, we can chat about schedule. As a person that loves structure but is bad at sticking to it, especially when my kids are around, I’ve found time blocking to be the most effective for us. It will look differently for every person, but for us, mornings are usually a rush to get to the coffee shop, eat breakfast and get everything ready for the day. From there, I focus on keeping the girls busy till Aria’s first nap. When she naps, I don’t feel bad about giving the girls a game to play, or a movie to watch so I can work during the small window of productivity. Even 20 minutes goes a long way.
If you don’t have kids to focus on, time blocking can still be helpful to structure your day. Set the timer for 30 minutes during a calm period of you day and decide to work only on a certain task during that time. You’ll be amazed at how much you get done.
3. Get dressed or don’t
For me, putting on an outfit I feel relaxed but put-together in makes me feel productive. When I’m wearing loungewear, I want to…lounge. Working from home isn’t formal, so you can forego your business attire, but I’ve found that things like linen pants, jeans and a tee, or a cozy sweater over a jumpsuit makes me feel like I can get more done.
For others, this isn’t a big deal so just recognize your own bent and style from there.
4. Know your personality
It might sound obvious (or maybe it sounds completely unrelated), but knowing yourself and your strengths/tendencies/habits/weaknesses will be huge for having a productive day while working at home. Knowing myself as the procrastinator who thrives in quiet/aesthetic spaces, I love a clean space which means I work best after I’ve spent a little time picking up so I can focus. It also means that I have to get the hardest things out of the way first or I’ll spend hours working on things that might be more fun (like shooting Instagram photos) but isn’t really what I need to be doing.
Know yourself and you’ll be able to schedule what a productive day looks like for you.
5. Do the hardest thing first
If you, like me, tend to put off the work tasks that you don’t love, get them out of the way first. Make a list if you need to in order of importance, and you’ll have the motivation in front of you to get to the things you’d rather be doing.
6.Use a planner
Using a planner for at-home only seems over the top, but I promise you it’s key for actually getting things done. Unless your brain is a steel trap that never forgets a task and can perfectly prioritize your goals, get yourself a good planner.
I’ve been using Pace & Pattern’s goal setting planner for three years and haven’t looked back.
7. Get outside
Nothing squelches my creativity and drive more than being cooped up inside for longer than I can handle. Since we’re all quarantined inside, we can make the most of our time at home by getting enough sunlight. Work from your deck/front porch/back yard/rooftop/window sill and you’ll be way more motivated than if you stay in bed tucked under the covers.
8. Give extra grace
Like I mentioned earlier, these aren’t “normal” work from home conditions, so you can’t expect your time to be “normal”. Have extra grace for yourself during the moments when you just can’t be productive (it’s OK), or you can’t work (that’s OK too), or you just need to sit in your PJ’s and eat ice cream instead (totally OK). There’s no rule book for this, so don’t expect yoiurself to be perfect whether you’ve worked from home for years or only days.
Hang in there, friends. Let me know below how your WFH journey is going thus far!
