Working From Home Tips

Here at The Squad, we work really hard, so you can't blame us for enjoying a few perks along the way.

One of my favorite benefits of working with The Squad is remote days. Each Thursday, our team chooses the location from which they will work. For some folks it's the coffee shop, for others it's home.

Truth be told, remote days are some of our most productive days. Working from the location we choose allows us to zone in on difficult tasks or reevaluate strategies. Without a doubt, it is my most productive day of the week.

However, working from home doesn't come without its distractions. Being at home brings about a comforting feeling, which can sometimes bring on the lazybones syndrome, and can be a place of constant "internal" interruptions. Although, if you have a process in place to navigate those distractions, you are set for a productive day. Whether you choose to work from a coffee shop or your dining room table, follow these tips to keep your day on track.

Find Peace and Quiet

Location is important for a productive remote day. While plugging in at your local coffee shop may seem super hipster-trendy-all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips-too, it may serve as more of a loud, buzzing distraction than anything.

Ask yourself where you are most productive: library? Kitchen table? Coffee shop? Determine this answer and stick with what works.

Follow a Process

Processes are a few of my favorite things (cue Julie Andrews!). With an already packed personal-life schedule, they are a fantastic way to stay organized, and they're especially important to keep as you work from home.

As tempting as it is to roll out of bed all weary eyed and to plop on the couch with my laptop, it's simply not the perfect recipe for productivity. If you don't go to work in your pajamas, don't work from home in them. Sticking as close to your normal worklife process as possible keeps your brain thinking, "this is just another day to rock it out!"

On remote days, I prefer to wake up and dress for the day. Being presentable makes it convenient to host a quick video call or meet a client for lunch. If you remain in your pajamas all day, how do you explain why you can't meet that client for a spontaneous coffee at 3 p.m.? Plan ahead for the day as if it is another day at the office.

Set Up to Go Up

As I said before, I am a process oriented kinda gal. They are my happy place, so setting up for a productive day at home is no different.

On Wednesday nights, I have a routine I follow to ensure I am prepared for a productive day ahead. Many times, this includes any housework that may be a distraction as I begin work the following day. Removing these visible distractions such as a sink full of dishes or other housework allows the focus to remain on my work - not the chores.

My next step is setting up for a productive day. I pull out my computer, notebooks, and pens, and arrange my workspace on the dining room table, and I also include plugging in my laptop. There is nothing worse than your computer dying as you begin a meeting. Greeting an office-like space sets the table for a productive day.

Eliminate Distractions

Yes, you are at home. Yes, I know you want to catch the latest episode of Ellen, BUT...You Can't! If you aren't watching Ellen in the office, don't do it at home. This goes back to our processes. Keeping the TV on adds a massive amount of distractions such as muting commercials, un-muting for the show, switching channels because it's a rerun...that's a rabbit hole you can never climb out of!

Pretend you are at the office. If you followed the earlier steps, you are organized and dressed for success, so don't spoil it with a TV show! You can do it. Just turn on your Spotify Focus playlist and hit the ground running.

Whether you choose your local coffee shop, library or dining room table, these tips will keep your remote day on track!