Now That I Work From Home...

I remember the day I decided to quit my 9-to-5. To be quite honest, I just couldn't take anymore. The anxiety attacks, the depression, and just the overall unfulfillment professionally left me to make some big decisions. So when I finally took the leap, sans job; it seemed like God answered my prayers when an opportunity came up to work from home.

While I am grateful to work for an amazing company in the comfort of my own home, I've quickly learned that there are things that contribute to a successful home work environment.

1. Change your surroundings: Leave the bedroom that you lay your head down in. Contrary to the belief that you can work from anywhere, staying in your bedroom can make you less alert and even sluggish. So get up, make the bed, and straighten up before relocating.
2. Get a morning routine: Creating a routine that you follow each day can create a normal structure that keeps your day on track. For me, each day starts with a morning prayer, devotion with the First 5 app and some meditation to center me. I also try to get in a healthy breakfast, like a smoothie to give me a solid energy boost. But your routine can be tailored to fit your needs.
3. Create an enjoyable workspace: The hardest thing about working at home could be building your home office. Whether it is in your spare bedroom or an actual home office, having an office that is decorated to motivate and stimulate you during work hours can maximize your productivity. Although I'm in the process of building my dream office, my current space includes candles, flowers and my vision board in a space with great natural light.
4. Clothing mandatory: Get out of this pajamas and act like you're walking out the door. Changing your clothes can boost productivity and allow you to change your perception of how you handle the workload. On the days when I'm not feeling like "going to the office", amping up my work attire definitely puts me in a better mindset. Try to stay away from clothes that are really sloppy and torn, especially if you have video-based interactions with your colleagues .
5. Rest up: A good night's rest is imperative. Being well-rested keeps you focused and alert, instead of wanting to climb back into bed after a few hours. A minimum of 7 1/2 hours is recommended for adults. And making sure the sleep is quality is very helpful as well.

Working from home is a dream come true. However, it can come with its challenges. But with a few tweaks, I'm hoping to make the best of this new experience. For those who work from home, what do you love best? What techniques have you implemented to make working from home work for you?

​I'll be sure to keep you posted on my office transformation.

XX,
B.