This post isn’t just for creative small business owners! Depending on your field, more and more business and nonprofits allow their employees to work from home 3-5 days a week. Two of my close friends and my husband all work from home 4-5 days a week and they all work for a nonprofit or large corporation. 

Since we moved to Indianapolis last year I’ve been working from home full time. So far I’ve had 13 months of victory and failure when it comes to balancing being productive while working from home.

Over the past year, I’ve learned if I’m consistently doing these six steps, then I’m WAY more productive and feel healthier in general! Not just in my work but as a wife, friend, daughter, sister…human- these positively affects all areas of my life! These tips aren’t anything revolutionary, but they do make revolutionary changes if done consistently!

1. Wake up at the same time every day & eat breakfast

My husband Drew has to be at work by 8am so I’ve naturally gotten into the rhythm of waking up, getting ready, and eating a protein heavy breakfast with him. I can really tell a huge difference in my day just by doing this!

2. Get dressed

I don’t go all out on dressing nice but it’s a GOOD day when I brush my hair, put on a deodorant, a bra, some mascara, and casual shirt. It doesn’t have to be much, but I can tell a difference when I put myself together a little in the morning vs just rolling out of bed and working in my PJs all day.

3. Exercise 3-5 times per week

No matter what your job is, this will help you be productive in all areas of your life and you’ll feel WAY better- mentally, emotionally, physically, etc.! For our first two years of marriage I worked full time and side hustled photography. I did not prioritize excising consistently and it really did take a negative toll. Now that I’m not working what feels like 24/7, I have been able to get into better, more consistent exercise habits and its made a MAJOR impact on my life! I don’t do it perfectly but its definitely worth trying/fighting for! On a practical level, my goal is to work out 3-4 times a week for 30-60 minutes each time.

4. Have a designated work space

Whether you have a room in your house that can be dedicated as your office or a designated desk in an area of your home, having a space for work is SO helpful! One of the biggest reasons why I think this is so helpful is to create healthy boundaries with your business. You can “train yourself” that work happens at your desk/in your office and once you leave that designated area, you’re at HOME. Mixing it up and going to a coffee shop or co-working space is great too, but I’ve found for me personally if I’m working at home, I don’t work as well on the couch (especially if the TV is on), in bed, or on the dining room table. My best work happens at my desk in my office. When 5pm rolls around, I walk out of my office, close the door and I’m home. The separation has been so helpful for me!

Another tip for your designated work space is to decorate it so its a space that INSPIRES you! Again, this could be a room in your house you get to decorate or maybe the wall above your desk in your living room. Where ever it is, have some of your favorite things (candles, flowers, favorite quotes or images) to refresh & inspire you as you’re getting after it!

5. Leave the house at least once a day

Whether its to go on a walk, go to the Y for a workout, the grocery store, to get coffee/lunch with a friend, to work from a coffee shop, to do a return…literally whatever it may be just be sure leave the house at least once a day!

6. Schedule time with other humans 3-5 times per week

Especially if you’re an extrovert like me, human time is necessary!! I try to grab coffee or lunch with friends or other industry professionals throughout the week or I’ll plan something fun during weekday evenings. Drew and I are in a small group with our church so I love that weekly build in time to see friends. Connecting with others feels a lot easier when its nicer outside but (even more so) still something to prioritize in the colder months!

I hope these 6 tips for productively working from home are helpful! Feel free to comment below with any questions or if you have more tips to add!!

Cheering for you always!
-Mon