Remote Work Tricks: 9 Tips for Working at Home
In this article and video tutorial, I'll share a few of my favorite tips for working at home.
I was a skeptical kindergartner. So when my teacher assigned homework to 'work on handwriting' I thought she was just being mean.
"Nobody does work at home." I thought.
Little did I know that years later I would be paid to work from home, and have really bad handwriting...
Working at home is a benefit and a challenge at the same time. I have found that I am more productive at home than in the office, and yet it requires much more discipline than normal to arrive at this place.
That's why I've created this article and video tutorial on working at home. Inside I hope you find plenty of helpful tips and tricks that you can use for your remote work.
Work From Home Video Tutorial
Here is the video tutorial on working at home. Inside the tutorial you'll find a few references to Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy (a great quick book) and a few tools and tips which can be found below.
Download the 'Work From Home' PDF Guide
Here is the free PDF that you can use to share with your friends, family, and coworkers. You must be logged in to a free Curious Refuge account to download the PDF. If you don't have an account, just click that 'Join' button at the top of the page to create an account and download the PDF.
My Favorite Tools for Working at Home
ToDoist - This To-Do list tool allows me to quickly add items to my to-do list using keyboard shortcuts. It also integrates with your phone so you can add new tasks on the fly.
BarTender - This is a simple app for the mac that allows you to hide all of the extension buttons from the top right of your screen. I use it to hide clocks, notifications, and distracting icons.
News Feed Eradicator - This tool removes the timeline from Facebook, making it impossible to scroll. However, you still can manage Facebook pages for your company and clients.
Notion - This is my go-to tool for organizing my business, life, and journals. It is the most incredible productivity tool ever made.
Google Home - I work in 90 minute blocks. As a result, I remove all clocks from my office (including my computer using bartender) and tell Google Home to create a 90 minute timer. At the end of 90 minutes the timer will ring and I will take a 20 minute break.
Electric Tea Kettle - A tea kettle quickly heats up hot water making it 10x better than a stove-top kettle. In our house we use the kettle to heat up water for tea and the French Press if we want coffee. It has essentially removed a reason for us to have a coffee maker.
Noise Canceling Headphones - I will often use noise canceling headphones combined with 'pink noise' on Spotify to remove all background noise. These are the headphones I use and here is a link to the noise.
Kettlebell - If you're feeling stressed do kettlebell swings. They are super easy to do and give you a workout that activates muscles around your body without breaking a sweat. We have a 25lb weight which is perfect for everyday use.
Tips for Working at Home
Here are a few of my favorite tips for working at home.
Tip #1: Have a Morning Routine
When you work in an office you are forced to have routine whether you like it or not. Every day you have to commute, find your parking spot, say hey to Patty the receptionist, grab your coffee, and sit at your desk. This routine creates consistency which allows you to use your creativity for productive work. The same is not true at home...
At home if you don't have a morning routine you will inevitably sleep in too late, rush out of bed, and hop directly on your computer. This can create anxiety that will last all day.
This is why I've created a morning routine. Every day I wake up, read a short inspirational interview (link to book), Shower, Get Ready, Make Tea, Read my Bible, Pray, Meditate, Journal, and Make Breakfast.
Developing this routine took time. When I first started a morning routine I just selected a few things to do at first. Over time, this developed into habits and the best part is, I don't have to think about these things anymore, I just do them automatically. The same will be true for you. What morning routines do you want? Here's a quick list of helpful things to consider adding to your morning routine:
Shower
Moisturize
Makeup / Hygiene
Floss / Mouthwash
Make Coffee
Make Tea
Breakfast
Read a Bible
Read a Devotional
Read a Chapter of an Inspiring Book
Create a Gratitude List
Meditate
Pray
Journal
Exercise
Alternate Cold and Hot Showers (30 Seconds Each)
Yoga
Stretch
Text Encouragement to a Friend or Family Member
Conversate with Your Family
Watch a TED Talk
Work on your side hustle
Write an Article (More on that here)
Review Your To-Do List
Review Your Budget
Go on a walk
Walk your dogs
Connect with your spouse (wink, wink)
Listen to an audio book
Select three or four of the above, and slowly add in more in the coming weeks. Soon you'll have a rock-solid morning routine that happens without even trying.
Tip #2: Dress for Work
It's very hard to take your job seriously when you're in your pajamas. There's just something psychological about dressing for work that will help you feel far more legit.
Pants are overrated…
So even though you may not be leaving your home, I always recommend getting dressed up for work. It doesn't have to be a suit, but at the very least dress up beyond your PJs.
Unless you sleep in a suit, in which case, I don't know what you should wear...
Tip #3: Create a Dedicated Work Desk
One of the best ways to help your mind feel like you are actually doing important work is to designate a spot to get work done. Whether it's an actual room or just a dedicated desk, have a place where you consistently work during work hours.
We've created an office at our house, but there was a time when the best we could do was a simple desk in our bedroom. You'll also get bonus points if your office has a door that you can shut at the end of the day!
Kitchen Counters = Standing Desks #HomeWorkHack
Tip #4: Work in Blocks
If you love working, like me, you may be completely comfortable with working 4 hours straight. However, humans aren't designed to be focused for that amount of time.
Instead, using a technique outlined in Eat That Frog, I recommend working in 90 minute blocks with 20 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch mid-day. Using this technique you will give yourself 4 to 5 big blocks of productive time during a typical workday.
Tip #5: Scheduled Slack Time
Slack is one of the most incredible communication tools ever made. It's also one of the most distracting... I have found that the best way to approach Slack is to simply bake checking Slack into your routine. Once your 20 minute break/walk is complete, check Slack, respond to messages, make all the silly jokes, and then set your status to 'working on project' and snooze notifications for 90 minutes.
I was super anxious to start using this technique the first time, because I thought people would be mad or upset if I didn't respond right away. However, that simply never happened, and as a result I was able to be super productive.
Tip #6: Start Up Routine
In the same way an astronaut has a routine of checks before they blast off, you should review your daily tasks before you begin your work. What are the mission critical things that have to be done each day before you can focus your time and attention on work?
My start-up routine is:
Check Slack
Check Email
Communicate Projects with Others
Review Task List
Just like a morning routine, there is a myriad of things you can do as soon as you sit down for work, including:
Email
Slack
Jira
Standup Meetings
Reviewing ToDo List
Writing Down ToDo Lists
Analyzing Dashboards (You should have these btw)
I always know what I am doing each day before I sit down at my computer because I review my work at the end of each day. Sure, emergencies come up, but it's funny how less emergencies happen when you dedicate your time to working in blocks.
Tip #7: Wind-Down Routine
The opposite is also true. You need to have a routine for shutting down at the end of the day.
What is your wind-down sequence going to be? Mine is:
Check Email
Prep My To-Do List for Tomorrow
Clean my office.
Tip #8: Communicate Your Routine with Family and Friends
Let your family (and any distracting friends) know that you will be working from home and you need focused time. Let them know what those hours are so they can be prepared to leave you alone throughout the workday.
You can text or call them during your 20 minute breaks or lunch. If it's an emergency, and it rarely is, simply ask them to call you twice in a row.
No Gregory, snuggles are not an emergency.
Tip #9: Knock Out Chores During Breaks
One of the best advantages in working at home is the simple fact that you can knock out house chores during the workday. After I take my walks I'll often come back home and start a load of laundry or do the dishes. This will open up more time in the evening so you can focus on connecting with friends, family, or chihuahuas.
I think you may have to slow down on the coffee…
You Can Be More Productive
I am 100% confident that you can be more productive at home. It may be awkward to get used to, but it will get easier, just make sure to go outside every now and then...
Did somebody say outside?!?
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