Creating Your Perfect Work from Home Routine to Boost Productivity

Why Does a Routine Matter?

The shift to remote work has become a significant trend in the global professional landscape. While working from home offers numerous benefits, maintaining productivity in a domestic environment can present unique challenges. Studies indicate that a substantial majority of remote workers—77% according to recent data—report increased productivity when working from home. ¹ This statistic underscores the potential for enhanced efficiency in remote work settings, provided that individuals implement effective strategies and routines by themselves.

The key to maximizing productivity in a home office environment lies in establishing a well-structured daily routine. Forming such a work from home routine fosters professional habits and creates a framework for consistent high performance. This guide will explore essential considerations for developing an individualized work routine tailored to the remote work context. By implementing these strategies, professionals can optimize their productivity, achieve their goals efficiently, and maintain a healthier work-life balance.

The Perfect Morning Work Routine

• Set a consistent wake-up time; studies have shown waking up at the same time each day can have a positive impact on your health and productivity ²
• Practice morning meditation or light exercise to get your body going
• Help yourself to a nutritious breakfast
• Look at your day’s priorities and plan for scheduled important events
• Create a Dedicated Workspace: Your Productivity Center
• Choose a quiet, well-lit area in your home: this is your home office

Personalize, Accessorize and Suit-Up

• Invest in ergonomic furniture, electronics and fixtures
• Personalize your space with inspiring décor and artwork
• Keep your workspace clutter-free and organized with the help of aides
• Practice good personal hygiene and consider it a matter of routine: start your day with a shower or end yours with one
• Work needs to be dealt with professionally, even at home. Create a work wardrobe accordingly to look the part
• Consider the psychological impact of dressing up and make it a part of your routine
• Dress for Success: Get ready for work and dress like you mean it
• Resist the temptation to stay in pajamas all day unless it’s activewear and you are focusing on active sitting or physical workouts during breaks

Time Management for your office routine

• Break your day into focused work blocks. Research suggests that regular work processes allow workers to spend less cognitive energy on recurring tasks, which can support focus and creativity for more complex tasks ³
• Use the Pomodoro Technique for enhanced concentration and efficiency
• Schedule regular breaks and meal times
• Allocate time for specific tasks and projects which require particular attention
• Prioritize your work each day so that even if you run out of your day, you can at least attempt to achieve the significant goals first

Stay Connected: Effective Communication Strategies

• Set up regular check-ins with your team or colleagues depending on the nature of your job role
• Use video calls for face-to-face interactions as working from home can lead to social isolation, which is the biggest challenge for remote workers, according to CCS Insight Employee Workplace Technology Survey, 2020 ⁴
• Utilize project management tools for collaboration and time management across projects
• Be responsive to messages during work hours
• Communicate clear boundaries with coworkers about your availability owing to domestic compulsions of working from home

Creating a Focused Environment for Work

• Turn off non-essential notifications or use a do-not-disturb mode or focused mode, depending on which device you use
• Use website blockers for social media
• Communicate boundaries with family or housemates during office timings to avoid unnecessary disturbances
• Consider noise-cancelling headphones
• Set alarms for focused work periods to ensure your body gets the rest it needs in between sessions

Take Purposeful Breaks: Recharge and Refocus

• Step away from your workspace during breaks; it is preferable to walk or stretch
• Practice quick stretching, like toe-curling, torso stretching, or desk exercises
• Get some fresh air with a short walk
• Use break time for mindfulness or relaxation techniques to keep your body and mind in balance and not in a strained condition
• Allow yourself guilt-free breaks to replenish energy according to a dedicated routine

Incorporating Movement into Your Work Routine

• Set reminders to stand up and move during work sessions, especially if you are not using a standing desk
• If you’re using a standing desk, set reminders to give your legs a break
• Try a standing desk or treadmill desk if your health permits
• Take walking meetings for phone calls
• End your workday with a home workout with light exercises to get your body in shape
• Find forms of movement that feel good and sustainable for you depending on your age, body type and health conditions

Work-Life Balance For The Office Routine

• Set and stick to defined work hours and ensure these are not violated by yourself or by others
• Create an end-of-day ritual to transition out of work mode
• Avoid checking work emails after hours
• Make time for hobbies and personal activities
• Communicate your work routine to family members or housemates

Meals in a routine: Preparation and Nourishment to fuel Your Productivity

• Prepare meals in advance to avoid time wastage during office hours
• Stock your fridge with healthy, easy-to-grab options in case meals are not prepared for any reason
• Make overnight oats for quick and powerful breakfasts; sprinkle them with fruits for extra energy and flavour
• Roast veggies and cook grains for customizable lunch bowls
• Step away from your computer during meal times. That way, it can become a real break away from the office environment

Making The Perfect Home Office Routine

In conclusion, implementing these strategic work-from-home routines can significantly enhance productivity in the remote work environment. Personalize strategies for optimal efficiency: Recognize the importance of adapting these methods to suit your unique work style and preferences. Consistency in applying your chosen routine and a proactive mindset will likely yield substantial improvements in your professional output and overall work satisfaction.

It’s essential to approach this process with patience and flexibility. If your initial attempts at establishing a routine take time to produce the desired results, view each day as an opportunity to refine your approach. The key lies in continuously evaluating and adjusting your methods to suit your evolving needs and circumstances better.

Integrating these evidence-based practices into your daily work routine allows you to meet and exceed your professional objectives within your home office. With a holistic work from home routine, this approach to remote work can transform your professional experience, potentially leading to a more fulfilling and efficient work life.

Read more by exploring our in-depth guide to home office essentials, perfectly complementing your newly crafted productivity routine and transforming your space into a powerhouse of efficiency here.

Ideas to Look Up

• time management techniques
• importance of work-life balance
• remote work burnout prevention

References

1. https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/resources/costs-benefits ↩︎
2. https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/how-and-why-waking-up-at-the-same-time-everyday-can-improve-your-health-1.4357391#:~:text=Improved%20Concentration%20and%20Productivity&text=Human%20error%20can%20occur%20due,and%20alert%20throughout%20the%20day. ↩︎
3. Chae, H., & Choi, J. N. (2018). Routinization, free cognitive resources and creativity: The role of individual and contextual contingencies. Human Relations, 72(2), 420–443. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726718765630 ↩︎
4. https://www.ccsinsight.com/blog/social-interaction-tops-remote-work-challenges/ ↩︎