New Ways to stay on track when working from home

I’m in the fortunate position that I get to work from home a lot of the time. Basically, if I’m not away travelling, home doubles up as my office. Of course this brings many advantages but there are also a few downsides too, sticking to a routine takes effort and it can be really easy to fall victim to distractions.

Just because I don’t have to be in ‘work’ at a certain time of day doesn’t mean that I can just come and go as I please. I mean of course in theory I could but that wouldn’t be productive at all. Self-discipline and self-motivation is tough, what I’ve learnt recently is that you need to add little treats and positive moments to be productive. So, this week I’ve been on a mission to bring a little more positivity into my daily schedule…

For me having a pretty solid routine is key anyway, but recently I’ve been trying to ensure that my mornings aren’t just productive, they’re enjoyable too. Making small changes that start my morning in a positive way has made me much more productive.

A great benefit of not having to commute anywhere is that extra time that it gives you in the morning.  I recommend uses this bonus time to sit and enjoy a tasty breakfast, it’s a real luxury that few of us normally bother with but it’s undoubtably a great positive way to start your day.  Whenever I take time out to eat well in the mornings I find that it helps to keep me focused and stops me reaching for snacks as the morning moves on. It’s also an important slice of me time, that gives me the opportunity to plan out my day ahead while I eat. I find it’s a really good tome for coming up with my mental to do list and setting my goals for the day.

Next comes the workspace. A lot of people think that working from home means lying in bed on the laptop or sat on the sofa with the TV on in the background as you catch up on emails but in reality that wouldn’t be productive. Having a tidy, well-organised workspace instead is quite important.  Even if your workspace is the dining room table, taking 5 minutes out to clear it of junk before you start really helps with focus.

Don’t forget to take regular breaks.  Unless you are a robot you need them.  Stop, put the kettle on and make yourself a coffee. If you want add a real positive spin to your day, you might want to check out the new limited edition NESCAFÉ Azera tins. The new brightly coloured range of tins have been designed by students from the University of the Creative Arts to bring a boost of positivity to your surroundings. Keeping one within my eyeshot is a great little reminder to me to take those coffee breaks too, if ever I forget.

Breaks are also a great time to try something new as this will keep your mind off work for the ‘break period’, perhaps as you are at home you could make something new for lunch or try a little home workout while you have the place to yourself.  You can find some really quick and easy to follow exercise circuits online.

Lastly, get outside. Being in the house 24/7 would drive me stir crazy, so if I don’t have a meeting or something to go to at some point in the day I always aim to get out of the house late afternoon and head for a run or go to the gym. The change of scenery and break from the laptop is essential. The big bonus is that I try to hit the gym before that after work rush hour kicks in. This is one benefit of working from home that I love!

#WakeUpTo

#NESCAFEAzera

This is a collaboration post with NESCAFÉ Azera.