I’m a mom of three, a wife, a marching band mom, a football mom, a business owner, and an Art Director. My life can be pretty chaotic. To find balance, I have to excel at order and routine. To create good design work for my clients, I must make dedicated time to focus.
While working remotely isn’t a new concept in general, it was one many people and companies adopted on the fly in 2020 to be able to keep operating during the pandemic. Now, it’s simply a way of life for many of us. Some of us adapted right away, but I know others who are still struggling. Since I’ve been doing this for 12 years now — and have had plenty of my own ups and downs — I thought I’d impart some of my learnings and survival techniques for any of you still trying to find balance.
If you thrive in chaos and disorder, this post isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for a better way to find your groove, here are a few tips from a pro:
Develop a morning routine.
- Wake up early! Don’t push it until the last minute.
- Splurge on your home coffee or tea. (You’re saving money by not commuting, so put those extra dollars to good use!)
- Jump on the Peloton or do 20 minutes of yoga.
- Tidy up your kitchen or make your bed — do whatever you need to do to be able to focus during your dedicated work time.
- Take a hot shower and get ready for the day. (Even if that just means fresh sweatpants.)
Go to your “office.”
- Create a space that is both relaxing and productive.
- Be aware of your background for video meetings.
- Avoid clutter and distractions.
- Stay organized throughout the day for maximum productivity.
Take a lunch break.
You don’t have to eat for an hour. You just need to move around. Sitting for long stretches of time isn’t good for your body.
- Do some laundry.
- Prepare a crockpot dinner.
- Walk the dog.
- Run an errand.
- Go to a doctor’s appointment.
- Squeeze in a power nap. (If that’s your thing.)
Have an end time and stick to it.
Sure, there are exceptions, but make them the exception.
- Save time for the administrative tasks at the end of your day. (Time sheets, expense reports, organize and file emails, etc.)
- Don’t check emails from bed, the dinner table, or at your kid’s football game.
- Close your laptop and unplug.
Tips to help things run smoothly during the busy times.
The goal is to be able to enjoy your time away from work and recharge. Everyone needs a little help sometimes.
- Have your groceries delivered.
- Take advantage of “smart” technology.
- Set reminders throughout the day.
- Use your vacation time to recharge.
- Reach out to family and friends for help.
Remember to make time for you! During the morning, lunch, after work, or whenever — take time that’s dedicated to caring for yourself.