Why Do You Need A Routine for Remote Work?
Are you tired of feeling like your work-from-home days are a chaotic blur of pajamas, endless coffee, and Zoom calls that seem to multiply like rabbits? Well, grab your favorite mug and settle in because the key to crushing your remote work game is all about forming a practical routine.
Did you know that a study on “Routinization, free cognitive resources and creativity” found that having regular work processes frees up your brain power for the complex, creative stuff? 1 That’s right – by following a solid routine, you’re not just organizing your day but unlocking your full potential!
In this article, I’ll suggest a workable work from home routine that can elevate your remote work experience into a model of efficiency and productivity. By leveraging my close to 4 years of remote work experience as a Compliance Consultant, I believe I have understood what it takes to make a solid work from home routine and the pitfalls to avoid when making one. This comprehensive approach will introduce strategies to enhance your productivity and work-life balance. However, be mindful that each individual should follow this routine with consideration of their peculiar working habits and environments. Let’s start!
7:00 – 7:30 AM (Waking Up)
- Wake up, preferably on the same time each day, and have a glass of water
- Jumpstart your day with a light stretch to boost circulation, increase flexibility, and awaken both body and mind for peak performance
- If you’re more into meditation go with that to boost focus, reduce stress, and cultivate a calm, productive mindset
- Take a shower and get your hygiene activities going
7:30 – 8:00 AM (Getting Ready)
- Morning coffee, while checking your most important platforms to see if there’s a need to address anything first
- There is no need or time for any news or social media. There will be breaks for that, and there’ll be loads of them
- Change clothes: this should set your mood right for the office. How we dress affects our performance, and it also doesn’t hurt to be ready for a video conference at any given time
8:00 – 8:45 AM (First Work Block)
- Prioritize work: Handle anything urgent and give updates in your chain
- Identification, followed by working on the most significant task, is considered essential and can save loads of time and effort if you ever feel a sense of decision paralysis when only a few tasks remain at the end of any given day
8:45 – 9:00 AM (Breakfast)
- Breakfast break: Normally, if you’re a coffee person, you’d straight jump to lunch if your morning joe is strong enough to get you through,
- But it is recommend to have a healthy breakfast as it is the most important meal of the day
9:00 – 10:00 AM (Second Work Block)
- Work continues: And now you move into your flow
- What’s essential, and what’s not? The days are starting to settle in. The reports are coming in, the messages are trickling, and the boards are buzzing: work has begun
10:00 – 10:15 AM (Stretch Break)
- A stretch break at this time is more than necessary as two rigorous work blocks have passed, and your body and mind must relax.
- Take a breath, step away and walk, stretch, have a glass of water, look outside the window, or enjoy the fresh air if there’s a balcony or outdoor access
10:15 – 12:30 PM (Third Work Block with Intermittent Breaks)
- The grind begins, and you’re back but rested and recharged
- Usually, work is at its peak during this work block, so it has to be intense and impactful
- Be mindful of breaks, though: whether you are following the Pomodoro Technique or any other, breaks are essential to rest your mind and body and ensure efficiency
12:30 – 1:30 PM (Lunch + House Chores)
- With more than half of the productive day gone and with a focused approach to work, you would be more than happy to leave your home office for lunch
- It recharges the body and ensures your mind treats the entire experience as a prolonged break from work by ensuring you leave your designated workspace for a while. This change of scenery also allows you to enjoy your food, free from the worries and preoccupation of work
- You can also use this time to do some house chores, like laundry or tidying up a closet. Or tend to family members who need to tend to children. This aspect is crucial for the home office experience because it allows your mind to absorb the routine of household life while working during your focused work blocks
1:30 – 2:30 PM (Correspondence and Planning)
- As you return to your work tasks, address correspondence to regain momentum
- This activity, which varies according to your role and industry, may include managing emails, responding to messages on collaborative platforms, or engaging with team applications.
- Engaging in correspondence serves a dual purpose: it helps you re-engage with work priorities and allows you to identify any emerging issues or tasks that require attention. This process ensures you stay informed of developments and can pivot to address critical matters promptly, maintaining your productivity and responsiveness throughout the workday.
2:30 – 4:30 PM (Fourth Work Block with Intermittent Breaks)
- This is your last major work block, and it has to feel that way. You should feel a sense of excitement as you enter the last phase of your workday. Since we have already accomplished most of the work, this slot is perfect for planning and providing input during meetings or calls. It is that time when everyone feels better after tackling their most important tasks before the workday. Again, do remember to take necessary breaks, as they are crucial to maintaining your efficiency.
4:30 – 5:00 PM (Closing Up Shop + Planning for Tomorrow)
- This is your winding down routine as you start finishing your day’s tasks. All are as per the accorded priority, of course
- Finish off with a look at some correspondence to see if you’ve missed out on anything or if there’s anything important for tomorrow
- This leads us to plan for tomorrow, which is the most crucial step here as it will set the stage for your priorities for the next working day
- Make use of a planner, a calendar, or an app to get organized better
- 5:00 – 5:30 PM (Clean Up + Light Stretch)
- Clean up your desk: stow away the unwanted materials, organize, look after your devices and file folders and replace the stationery
- Now comes the part about your health and why it’s essential given your sedentary office lifestyle. Sitting all day can cause your body to lose its flexibility over time, so a good stretching routine right from your office chair before you sign out can help you regain your flexibility.
- Here’s a good fitness guide from Senior Fitness With Meredith on YouTube:
An Effective Work From Home Routine
Working till 5:30 or 6 PM from the comfort of your home is why you opted for remote work in the first place, as these hours are filled with productivity and do not include any losses due to commute or other social activities.
In conclusion, establishing a structured work from home routine for your remote work experience can significantly enhance your productivity and overall well-being. This comprehensive daily schedule will distinguish between work and personal time, optimize your focus during key work blocks, and maintain a healthy daily balance. Remember, the beauty of a remote work routine lies in its flexibility – feel free to adjust this template to suit your unique needs and preferences. As you implement these strategies, you’ll likely find yourself accomplishing more and enjoying a more fulfilling and less stressful work-from-home experience. Embrace the power of routine, and watch as your productivity soars to new heights.
Click here to read more about all factors that go into creating a powerful and holistic work from home routine.
Ideas to Look Up
References
- 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 ↩︎
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