When you’re stuck in a traditional 9:00am to 5:00pm position, working from home sounds like unicorns and rainbows! Sleep in late, stay in your PJs, and you never have to leave the house. Right? Sometimes. Here’s the thing, working from home is amazing but can be a little challenging at times.
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I know it sounds awesome, but working from home has it’s challenges! I’ve been doing it for almost 3 years and it’s taken that long to go through all the stages of what it actually means to ‘work from home.’ Initially it felt like unicorns and rainbows because I slept in, worked in my PJs and took long lunches (who doesn’t love Netflix bing watching)! But then I quickly realized I wasn’t getting much work done, so I went to the complete opposite end of the spectrum and worked constantly! I woke up early, ate lunch at my desk and rarely left the house. Clearly neither one of those is ideal, so I finally realized I needed some structure and balance in my ‘work from home’ lifestyle. It took me a long time to come to this important realization, so I’m hoping these tips on how to NOT go INSANE while working from home will help as you venture down the same path!
Without further adieu, here are my top 10 tips to help you NOT go INSANE while working from home:
- Establish your routine!
- Block time and set boundaries!
- Get the heck out of the house!
- End your workday at a decent time!
- Get your move on!
- Get out of those PJs and make your bed!
- Don’t eat at your desk!
- Set professional and personal goals!
- Plan ahead for sick days!
- A special note for those of you with kids!
Imagine your ideal day. Up at 9:00 am, breakfast, walk the dog, then crush your to-do list until lunch? Whatever you’ve always dreamed your day to look like, make it happen.
If you’re serious about being productive and ready to step up your freelancer game, turn this schedule into a daily routine so you can plan ahead and schedule yourself accordingly. This will give you enough time to get your tasks accomplished and not feel rushed for time.
My work day always starts with a workout (because if I don’t do it first thing, it just won’t happen), then a dog walk, breakfast, then shower. I may check my phone for emails, but I don’t start on any client work until after my morning routine. Check out tip #5 for more on the importance of keeping fit, both your mind and your body!
When you work from home it is very tempting to stay connected 24/7, especially when you’re first setting up shop and developing relationships with new clients. Unfortunately, this can lead to getting burned out very quickly and that’s something that we most definitely do not want to happen, right?
Get control over your personal and work life by breaking your day down into blocks of time where you’ll focus strictly on work and then others where you’ll walk away from your computer and put your phone down. I find that blocking out time using my Google Calendar works best for me!
If you’re struggling with the separation, try finding a co-working space where you’ll be surrounded by others who are on the same mission as you. Just know that when you get home, it’s your free time and you need to put your work away.
#LifeHack: If you’re not quite ready to commit to a co-working space or just can’t find one in your area that you like, snag your headphones and head over to your favorite coffee shop. While you’re there, pick up a delicious cup o’ joe to help boost your energy levels and get some stuff done!
Being a freelancer is amazing because you are literally free. Free of a traditional schedule, free of a traditional workspace, and free to mix things up as needed.
So how does being free help keep you from going insane while working at home?
It gives you the opportunity to choose where you spend your time. Don’t trade four cubicle walls for the four walls in your living room. Take your work outside onto the deck or over to the patio of your favorite restaurant. Make coffee dates with your friends. Go to a networking event in your community.
Whatever it is that you enjoy doing in an ‘out of the house’ and hopefully social way, make it happen. Working at home (most often by yourself) can get very lonely. Avoid this sense of being all alone by getting out of your house at least once a day, ideally to a place where you’ll be able to connect with other humans, even if it’s just to order a cup of coffee.
We talked about the temptation stay connected 24/7, now let’s discuss how exactly you’re going to implement this. Let’s say your ‘office hours’ (the times that you’ll either answer the phone or respond to emails) is Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Great! Now you need to let your clients know.
Sharing office hours with your clients in advance can save you from late night calls, texts, and emails. Most importantly, being up front allows you to explain the ‘why’ behind your established hours without looking like you’re trying to make an excuse for not responding. Maybe you’re really focused on properly balancing your family/work life or you like to power through projects without being distracted. Whatever the cause, go ahead and share it before you just don’t respond.
Here are three super simple ways to share your office hours with clients without being confrontational.
First, add your office hours to your website. Maybe you include a brief note about how you’re typically connected but even if you happen to see that ‘active on messenger’ note, you’re really only going to respond between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Second, add an away message to your email and any other online platforms (FB Messenger, Slack Channel, etc.) during your off hours so that clients are automatically notified that you’ll respond to their message upon your return.
Third, add your office hours to your email signature. Just below your contact information, let clients know the ‘best times’ to reach you.
After you’ve communicated your hours properly and set a clear expectation between yourself and your freelance clients, you have one very important task. Follow through. During the times that you are supposed to be relaxing and not thinking about work, relax and don’t think about work! Put your phone down!
It might be hard in the beginning, but apply this to your new freelance company and I promise you’ll thank me later.
Working on the sofa or even in the most gorgeously designed office for hours at a time each day is not great for your body. Get up and move around! Remember, you’re free to come and go as you please, you’re a freelancer!
Try taking advantage of that mid-day yoga class that you saw on the schedule but never had the flexibility to try. Go for a run before you make lunch. Take the time to meditate before you start your work for the day.
Recently I’ve fallen in love with the Exerpeutic WorkFit 1000 Desk Bike – that’s right, I can write and workout at the same time! I know, I know – it should be time that I have to myself…and honestly, it really is! While I’m on the bike I get to write these types of blog posts. I don’t see it as work because it’s so enjoyable. But I promise you, I’m definitely not doing any client work on my desk bike!
Another of my favorites for at-home-workouts is Shaun T’s FOCUS T25. Each workout is only 25 minutes and you can do it anywhere. Between T25 and my desk bike, I literally don’t have any excuses left to not keep fit while working from home.
Whatever is best for you. Whatever makes your mind and your body feel right, do it.
Every now and then, a cozy day tucked away in your bed is exactly what the doctor ordered. For the most part though, if you’re trying to take this whole freelancer world by storm, you need to get your productivity on!
Focus on creating an environment that will support the work that you need to get done. This starts by getting up in the morning, taking a shower, changing out of your beloved PJs, and making your bed. No matter what else happens that day, at least you have the basics covered. You’ve accomplished something and you’re ready for whatever gets thrown at you next.
#LifeHack: Getting out of your PJs does not mean that you have to change into a three-piece suit. Let’s be honest, that might add a little crazy to your work from home life instead of making things better. Instead of dressing up in formal attire, try wearing items that make you feel comfortable and productive. Maybe this means changing into your ‘good’ yoga pants or simply adding a belt to your jeans. Figure out what makes you feel best and do it, consistently.
Your mother’s voice may be echoing in your head right now, but the point remains true. Get up from your desk when you’re eating. A change of scenery around lunch will help boost your productivity and break up your day.
Do you enjoy cooking? Skip the fast food meals and take the time to prepare a delicious meal for yourself. You can even get the dishes done before heading back to your workspace. If you’re really up for fun and a chance to get out of the house, make plans to meet friends for lunch and enjoy not having to rush back to the office.
I have a routine that everyday I eat lunch at the dining table and read a book (non-work related). As soon as I finish eating, I take my book and Blue’s ball thrower outside for 20 minutes of Vitamin D. Plus, Blue gets to fetch the ball, which is one of his favorite things to do!
This is a super important piece of the puzzle when it comes to being a freelancer and keeping yourself from going insane while working from home. The thing is, paychecks don’t come every other Friday. It’s super easy to get stuck in the wheel of working 24/7 just to close the next deal.
Avoid this cycle by setting professional goals for yourself. Know that you need to get a certain project done or close a specific amount of sales each week, and then you can rest. Follow your progress on a daily basis and then recap at the end of the week. Take note of what worked best, what failed miserably, and what you want to do to improve next week.
At the same time, your personal goals are just as important. We work to live not live to work, right? So why exactly are you spending all of these hours working? To have the freedom (time and money) to do all of the things you love!
Personal goals are approached easiest when you look at them on an annual basis due to their seasonal nature. Think about what exactly you’d like to accomplish over the next year and pencil it into a calendar. Are there big projects that need to be broken down into little pieces to make them attainable? Note them on the calendar that way!
While you plan ahead for these items, this is only a baseline. Be flexible with your schedule when it checking things off your list and try to say ‘yes’ when an opportunity arises. Don’t forget that this is typically the entire reason that someone chooses to become a freelancer!
One of the not so great things about being a freelancer is that if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. End of story. Unfortunately, sickness happens – both to you and your family. Have a plan in place in case this happens, so that you’ll actually be able to rest and recover if it becomes necessary.
One way to do this is to prepare your work in advance. If you have a deadline that’s two weeks out, do your best to complete the project in one week or as quickly as possible in order to make sure you deliver on time.
Another way to set yourself up for success even if you’re sick is to create a ‘sick day’ fund. Having a separate account with cash that you can access whenever needed is one way to put your mind (and your budget) at ease.
Seeing as I don’t have kids of my own, I out-sourced this section to a fellow freelancer and mother of 5 (yes, 5)! Here’s her advice for not going insane while working from home…with kids!
You’re likely already a crazy-awesome multi-tasker, but this is where your actions need to speak louder than your words. Juggling the needs of clients and kids (and dare I say a personal life?) is tough, but it’s possible.
Her number one tip for not going crazy when you work at home with kids is to plan ahead. For example, if your freelance work requires face time with a client – meaning that you need to be on the phone, in a video chat, or actually attend a face-to-face meeting (gasp!) then you need to figure out child care. Don’t wait until the last minute!
Maybe a family member is willing (and available) to help you for two hours each week. If that’s a case, set the day/time in stone and plan all of your meetings accordingly. If you don’t have a built-in babysitter, it’s time to interview and get someone scheduled.
For starters, try finding someone to come hang with the littles for 4 hours every Monday or whichever day you feel will provide you with the most productive environment. Stick to that schedule every week and make it part of your routine. That way you know there’s a four-hour block of time set aside for you to have client meetings, catch up on work, or just knock out a few projects to start your week off right.
If you’re a freelancer who works from home, you deserve a major pat on the back! I know from experience that this lifestyle choice is a solid mix of incredibly awesome and really tough. Take the time to read through and implement each of the tips listed above and you’ll be ahead of the rest when it comes to not going insane when you work from home.
Do you have a specific issue that you’ve dealt with when it comes to working from home? Maybe you have a suggestion on other tips that we can all learn from when it comes to working from home. Leave them in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase. This is at no cost to you and I only share products that I use and love myself.
Hi Blue!
Fun and well-written post for us humans, thanks! 😉 I shared it.
Probably not applicable to everybody, but what I find really works for me is to find other people to work with. Each of us with their own computer and work – working with someone really boosts my motivation and ability to tick off goals.
Awesome, so glad you liked it! Yes, working with other people is a great idea! I recently started doing accountability days with other people where we spend all day on zoom and do a check in every 1.5 hours to see what we’ve accomplished and what we’re going to work on during the next stint – it’s great!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I found your post on Pinterest. Great tips from one work at home person to another. I’m dealing with sickness in the family right now, but fortunately, I’m in a quiet period before going on holidays this weekend.
Hi Sandra! Great, glad you enjoyed it! I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with sickness in the family – hopefully everyone is feeling better soon!