Six ways to keep motivated while working from home

With the lack of commute that comes with working from home, it can be tempting to throw your morning routine out the window and have a sleep-in. But at the end of the day (or in this case, at the beginning of it), that’s just going to make it harder to get into the flow of things than if you got up at your regular time, got ready, made your bed (to help avoid the temptation of working from it) and had some breakfast. Plus, it will help keep a sense of normality. With everything from meetings to after-work drinks moving to the virtual world, it’s now more important than ever to step away from the screen when you can. Instead of eating lunch at your computer, why not enjoy your break out in the sunshine? Or while reading a book? Or you can even use the time to put on some laundry. Whatever it is you choose to do, it will give your eyes a break from the screen. Speaking of stepping away from the screen, try to factor in some exercise where you can during your day. Whether it’s getting up early (or the same time you would normally for your commute) to go for a walk, or spending your lunch break doing an online workout class, this exercise will create endorphins which spurs you on not just while you’re active but when you return to work. The first way of achieving this is knowing what that task is. Plan ahead either on the Sunday before the week ahead or at the end of every workday, of what needs to be done. Lists are a great way of making sure nothing is forgotten – whether they are digital lists or a good old-fashioned pen and paper one. Apps like 30/30 are also a good way of staying on certain tasks and planning out your day. Effectively it allows you to layout your day in timed blocks, encouraging you to stay on task and finish it within the allotted time. READ MORE: Try and knock off the tasks which are harder, less inspiring or simply that you don’t want to, first. It means that you get them out of the way when your energy levels are at their highest, and there is less of a chance of you putting it off another day. Plus, you get to end your day on a high note, with the easier tasks and the ones you most enjoy doing. Miss those water cooler conversations? You’re not alone. Try reaching out to colleagues as much as you can (without it becoming procrastination). If you usually grab a coffee with a colleague, why not give them a call while you walk to the kitchen and make your morning brew? Feel like you need those weekly lunches you had with another coworker? Why not chat while having lunch at home? Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. If you’re looking to stay up to date on COVID-19, you can also sign up for our twice-daily digest here.

1. Keep a morning routine

2. Step away from the computer

With everything from meetings to after-work drinks moving to the virtual world, it’s now more important than ever to step away from the screen when you can. Instead of eating lunch at your computer, why not enjoy your break out in the sunshine? Or while reading a book? Or you can even use the time to put on some laundry. Whatever it is you choose to do, it will give your eyes a break from the screen.

3. Keep active

Speaking of stepping away from the screen, try to factor in some exercise where you can during your day. Whether it’s getting up early (or the same time you would normally for your commute) to go for a walk, or spending your lunch break doing an online workout class, this exercise will create endorphins which spurs you on not just while you’re active but when you return to work.

4. Keep on task

The first way of achieving this is knowing what that task is. Plan ahead either on the Sunday before the week ahead or at the end of every workday, of what needs to be done. Lists are a great way of making sure nothing is forgotten – whether they are digital lists or a good old-fashioned pen and paper one. Apps like 30/30 are also a good way of staying on certain tasks and planning out your day. Effectively it allows you to layout your day in timed blocks, encouraging you to stay on task and finish it within the allotted time.

READ MORE:

5. Start your day off right

Try and knock off the tasks which are harder, less inspiring or simply that you don’t want to, first. It means that you get them out of the way when your energy levels are at their highest, and there is less of a chance of you putting it off another day. Plus, you get to end your day on a high note, with the easier tasks and the ones you most enjoy doing.

6. Keep in touch

Miss those water cooler conversations? You’re not alone. Try reaching out to colleagues as much as you can (without it becoming procrastination). If you usually grab a coffee with a colleague, why not give them a call while you walk to the kitchen and make your morning brew? Feel like you need those weekly lunches you had with another coworker? Why not chat while having lunch at home?

For information on COVID-19, please go to the federal Health Department’s website.
You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)

Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. If you’re looking to stay up to date on COVID-19, you can also sign up for our twice-daily digest here.

This story Six ways to keep motivated while working from home first appeared on The Canberra Times.

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