{"id":30121,"date":"2020-12-17T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-17T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/honeybook.site.strattic.io\/?p=30121"},"modified":"2022-04-18T02:06:07","modified_gmt":"2022-04-18T02:06:07","slug":"thrive-work-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/thrive-work-from-home","title":{"rendered":"How to Thrive When You Work from Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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As creative entrepreneurs, it’s important to find ways to help you thrive when you work from home. Your career depends on it. And I’ve learned over the years about the importance of making working-from-home work for you.<\/p>\r\n

Years ago, for five years, I led a team of creatives on an in-house team. It was a very demanding and fun job, often working 50-60 hours AND weekends. Finding myself again and balance was the goal when <\/span>I left that job. I wanted to start a business on my own, but I took a new job opportunity that fell into my lap. Leading an agency design team remotely and often traveling to meet clients was next. It once again ended up being LONG work-weeks, but I was working from home!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

My Work from Home Experience<\/h2>\r\n

I had to find a new normal. I still worked many hours, stopped working out, had a terrible desk set-up and realized the health of my back was dwindling. It was the kind of job where I felt that as soon as I would wake up, I had to immediately check my emails and log onto Slack. I was working well into the <\/span>night. I never found the balance that I was dreaming of.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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My back got worse and after a year, I chose to put myself first. I took a slow year, at my own pace to rehabilitate my back and figure out what I wanted for my business. Now, I haven\u2019t looked back. I found the balance I\u2019ve wanted, I am my own boss and I\u2019ve been able to curate my clientele. Plus, I even have the freedom to take breaks!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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AS A RESULT, I\u2019VE CREATED A FEW TIPS BELOW BASED ON WHAT I\u2019VE LEARNED FROM MY TRANSITION FROM WORKING IN-HOUSE TO WORKING IN THE HOUSE.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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HA, SEE WHAT I DID THERE?! #DADJOKE<\/p>\r\n

How to Thrive when You Work from Home<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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1. It\u2019s a mindset.<\/h2>\r\n

CREATE A MORNING ROUTINE<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Take time to enjoy your morning. There\u2019s nothing worse than the feeling of waking up to your phone blowing up with emails and texts. Start your day with peace and clarity. Whether it\u2019s going for a walk, <\/span>meditating, working out, or simply just eating cereal in silence. As a result, you\u2019ll <\/span>start your workday much more refreshed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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CHANGE OUT OF YOUR PAJAMAS<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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People always joke with me that I have the luxury of working from home in my PJs. Well, surprise… I\u2019ve learned that the days I would stay in my PJs were days I felt lazier and unproductive. I\u2019d talk myself into taking a nap or working in bed. The mind is powerful! However, it\u2019s a mindset; trick yourself that you are getting ready for work. As a woman, putting a bra on is a game-changer! Suddenly you\u2019re out of comfort and into day-mode. Get a pair of jeans on and a Tshirt, it\u2019s <\/span>way better than working in sweats.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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IF YOU CAN, SEPARATE YOUR DESK FROM THE BEDROOM<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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I know this may be difficult for some people, but if you can, I recommend separating your desk from the bedroom. A great modification would be to work on a dining or kitchen table. Or, get a small desk and put it in your living room. Anything will be better than sitting in your bedroom! I am a big believer in shifting your mindset. Your bedroom should be reserved for a place of rest and relaxation, <\/span>not work.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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OPTIMIZE YOUR DESK SET-UP<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Well friends, I\u2019m marrying a Physical Therapist. So, here\u2019s the PT wife talking here: Your posture will get neglected when you work from home! It\u2019s so easy to sit on the couch or bed<\/span> and slouch, slouch, slouch. Remember that back injury I had? If I could go back in time, I wish I took the measures I do now. It\u2019s better to be proactive rather than reactive to the back problems you\u2019ll have later. Make sure you take ample breaks, and check your posture while you’re working. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Proper Desk Setup for Work From Home<\/h2>\r\n

For reference, here\u2019s<\/a> a good diagram of what proper desk set up should look like. On top of that, a standing desk is a GREAT idea. Sitting is <\/span>the new smoking, folks! Another thing that has helped me is an <\/span>UPRIGHT GO<\/a> – it\u2019s a little gadget that sticks on your back and <\/span>vibrates to alert me every time I slouch! (Have you adjusted your <\/span>posture yet while reading this post ?)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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2. Combat Loneliness to Excel when You Work from Home<\/h2>\r\n

PODCASTS\/AUDIOBOOKS FOR LONELINESS AND FOCUS<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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I\u2019ve found myself feeling down and un-creative when I\u2019ve been lonely at home. For me, sometimes music just doesn’t cut it and listening to someone speak helps. Especially if they\u2019re funny; it\u2019s like having a friend in the room! Look into podcasts, audiobooks, Live videos, etc. to combat loneliness.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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JOIN A SLACK COMMUNITY<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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There are lots of channels on Slack<\/a> for different topics that can help you communicate with people throughout the day to keep you connected to the world! You can spin ideas off of them too! Check out <\/span>Slofile<\/a> to find Slack community for you.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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3. Stay Healthy<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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DON\u2019T SIT, GET FIT<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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This sounds like an easy one, but so many of us don\u2019t prioritize our health when we\u2019re overworked. Make sure you are taking time for yourself and your body. Because, if you don\u2019t take care of your health, you’re <\/span>not taking care of your business.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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TAKE BREAKS AND GO FOR A WALK<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Taking breaks will help clear your head and is also great for your spinal health. Also, got a furry office manager? He\/she could use a walk too!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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4. Stay Focused when You Work from Home<\/h2>\r\n

GET A PLANNER<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Plan your week ahead of time and write things down. There\u2019s something special about writing tasks down and being able to cross them off. It\u2019ll show you how much progress you were able to make throughout the day. You could even give yourself an incentive if you<\/span>get everything completed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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TAKE A POMODORO & BLOCK YOUR FAVE SITES<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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If you are having trouble focusing, work in 25-minute increments with a 5-minute break. These are called Pomodoros! I use a Chrome extension called \u201cBlock Site<\/a>\u201d to block all websites other than my business-related websites. Then, for 5 minutes I can take a break and look at memes. If you have a Mac, turning on the \u201cDo Not Disturb\u201d feature on the top right corner does WONDERS for me throughout the day. If I have a lot to do, I\u2019ll turn it on, and put my phone in the other room. It keeps me focused and I don\u2019t have to see the 36 texts from my <\/span>girlfriends\u2019 group chat coming through.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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GET A CRM TOOL<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Streamline your processes with CRM tools like HoneyBook<\/a>. I have a form set up on my site that sends leads straight to my HoneyBook platform – and from there, I can send them online contract templates<\/a> and online invoices<\/a> – just with a few clicks. It saves so much time since I\u2019m working with a skeleton crew, ME! The return on investment will be <\/span>all the time you save and… TIME IS MONEY! Use this <\/a><\/span>link to get 50% off your first year! Cha-ching!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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I hope this post has helped you incorporate healthier habits into your day-to- day when working from home. If you have any tips that make your work-life a breeze, leave them in the comments and let\u2019s chat!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n