A Complete Guide to working from Home like a Boss
- Jan 6, 2021
- 6 min read
I don't know about you, but this whole work from home, forever in a lockdown/ quarantine thing has really taken my ADD and mental health capacity for a spin! Since becoming a freelance blogger, writer, designer, stay-at-homer, I have really been tested on all things living, eating and working in the same space, and I will be the first to admit that Netflix and my bed have really won when it comes to my attention.
Now, I am by no means saying that during these weird Covid-19 times one should be all in and working like a beast, I myself have taken strain mentally, emotionally and creatively, which evidently has impacted my work negatively. BUT, I do think there can be a balance, and I myself after many months (9 months in and out of lockdown phases to be exact) of struggling with a work-life at home balance, have finally come to a really great regime. With this all being said, I thought I would put together a little guide that I have nearly perfected on to how to be as balanced and productive as one possibly can during these strange times, especially going into the new year of 2021.
Let me just disclaim and say that you can 100% trust this guide of mine, firstly, because I have been hustling from home since March 2020. And secondly, because I live in a tiny studio apartment where I don't even own a desk or table to work at (my couch is my best friend for eating, working, drawing, napping and watching TV), so I do consider myself a bit of an expert when it comes to the the work/play from home and creating your own office spectrum.
Top tips for Productivity:
I thought it best to start here and offer you my best 3 tips for the most productive time possible when working from home. There are approximately 8 hours in your day, and I don't think I am the only one who thinks that these Covid ridden days seem to be flying by ever so quickly! And so, I would love to share my biggest findings to making the most of your work days:
1. Set an alarm on your clock and stick to it!
This in itself may seem a bit obvious and juvenile, but when I tell you that an early morning start and good night's rest is KEY, I mean it. I am a morning person myself, but even for me, these days I find my body stressed and tired all the time, and so I found having an early night, and realistic call time to get up is the best to get my mind into the routine work-flow it needs to be in!
2. To-Do-List for the Day
I find that one of the best success drivers for my day is writing out a small list of at least 3-5 things that I want to accomplish for the day. This can be done in a notepad or on your phone, but it must be written down so that your eyes and brain can fully take in what needs to be done - otherwise sometimes our thoughts get forgotten or lost. According to psychologists, studies have shown that people perform better when they have written down what they need to do, something about the physical written list enhances the need / desire to cross off the actions and or tasks.
3. Stay Away from Social Media in the Morning.
Again, this is something I see regurgitated all the time, but I stand by this advice completely! I am too a social-media-browsing-in-the-bed-first-thing-in-the-am kind of culprit, but I have come to learn that this is a huge distraction and disrupter when it comes to a good, productive start to your day and getting work done. Trust me, get up, write your to do list, and only go on your phone 3 hours into work. It does wonders for the soul! (This includes Netflix, yeah, I am also a movie/series watching whilst I'm eating breakfast kind of gal, and before I knew it, I am 5 Gilmore Girls episodes deep and no where near where I wanted to be for the day).
Top 5 Products Every at Home Worker (or Office Stationary Fanatic) Needs:
I have compiled a list of my top 4 items that I believe truly help me to work my best as well as make me feel as proficient as possible!
1. Standing Laptop Table.
Like I have said before, my "office" space is literally my eating, entertaining, cooking and work space all in one, and so something like this table that allows me to work comfortably from the couch as well as the bed really makes me happy. I use this Bamboo laptop table from the brand College Originals, and it is a real winner. It allows for a lot of customising as well as versatile space for ones laptop, making it the perfect make-shift desk for any work needing to be done. I myself use this table not only for my laptop, but also to write, draw and journal on. Here is a link to this exact table on Takealot:
2. A good Planner:
There is nothing more helpful than a good planner, whether it be a desk calendar, daily, and or monthly planner - having something you can write in and plan your days is a great tool to use if you want to be as productive as possible! I use a recycled paper planner from Typo, I have already mapped out my entire month of January + February and birthdays for the year 😂. The planner I use isn't on the Typo website anymore, but I have linked their available ones here: https://cottonon.com/ZA/stationery-homewares/stationery/diaries-planners/
3. Blue Light Glasses:
If you are staring at your screen a lot during the day, whether it be at home or an office, it's always good to protect your eyes, and blue light blocking glasses can help lessen the strain that your eyes take from computer and or phone screens. My optometrist recommended I get a pair, and since I have my tension headaches from staring at my screen too long have disappeared. I recently found these specs called Sophie Moda on Takelot and I am highly impressed, most of their styles are unisex, and are really flattering, not to mention well priced. I have linked the exact ones I got from Takelot: https://www.takealot.com/sophie-moda-fashionable-computer-glasses-anti-blue-light-gaming-/PLID65558505?colour_variant=Crystal
4. Fold Up Table / Space saving furniture:
If, you are like me, and don't have much space available, and want to have a studio / work space that doesn't always have to be in your way, then something like this fold up table is perfect. What's awesome about this (even though it is extra effort to setup every morning or time I want to work) I found that it actually motivates me to get my work done. For example, I will know that I need to set the table up to put my machines on to sew, and mind you, I hate having to have my sewing stuff set up in my lounge / kitchen because it is an eye-sore and takes up about 70% of my flat 😂 and therefore I will set it all up and tell myself that if I work with it all setup for 4 hours of my day and sew as much as I can, then I can pack it away, tidy up, and enjoy my evening with a clean, no-work visible flat where I can truly enjoy the moment and go slow. So, as you can see, it in itself is a motivator in that it almost makes you set achievable goals so that you can enjoy the rest of your day.
If you are needing a surface where you can craft / work that you can store away out of sight, then I'd recommend something to this degree. I got my folding table from Game, and it may not look sturdy but this baby can literally hold my two machines that each way approximately 10kgs! I have linked my table here: https://www.game.co.za/game-za/en/All-Game-Categories/Sports-%26-Leisure/Outdoors%2C-Camping-%26-Hiking/Camping-Furniture/Camping-Tables/Out-and-About-Folding-Table-Black-86x86x71CM/p/740518-EA
I hope this guide can help in some way or another, and I hope you are already having an amazing start to your year!
Wishing you lots of love, safety, and fun!
Britt xx
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