Working from home has its challenges, especially when the WIFI is down, but I have some recommendations for how to make it easier.

11 simple tips to make working from home better.

#1 Claim your creative space:

Move a desk in front of a sunny window, convert an attic space or set up camp in a closet (seriously, that was my first home studio), but claim your spot. Especially when working from home, it's important to have a work environment with all of your tools, equipment, and supplies to create from a place of organized ease.

#2 Know your best productivity period

We all have a time of day when we are at our creative best - so use that time wisely. If mornings are your jam, focus on your most relevant task/project during that time when you are motivated and feeling refreshed. You can then plan to use the afternoon for less intense tasks, like marketing, responding to emails, or billing. Working within these peak energy blocks allows you to get a lot done even if you are short on time.

#3 The Top Three

Plan out your top three tasks daily. It will help you move the needle on your goals and provide a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. Don't select HUGE to-do's - the top three should be realistic, actionable items. Bigger aspirations are more suitable to an outlined goal. For example, a daily top three could be: send out a pitch email to 5 potential clients, practice yoga for 30 minutes, and edit a blog post.

#4 Add in some Activity

Sitting at a desk for 8+ hours a day is not healthy. Remember to take breaks! Sprinkle a few energizing activities throughout your day to stretch and move your body. Take a walk outside, play with your kids, jump rope, vacuum your house, do pilates, go for a jog... just MOVE.

#5 Tidy Up

Personally, a cluttered, messy studio makes me anxious and distracted. And being distracted means I'm no longer productive. I admit that having a spotless, shiny space 24/7 is not possible, so I do my best to tidy up when I clock out for the day. That means organizing my desk, putting papers into proper folders, and reviewing my calendar for the following day. It's a simple step that takes 15 minutes (or so) and allows me to finish off the day feeling accomplished and prepped for my return.

#6 Distractions

This is the biggest gripe that I hear about and it's understandably frustrating. There will be distractions when you work from home - let's be honest, there are distractions in an office too. If you have a door, keeping it closed is not always enough. Communicate with your family and set designated work hours. If outside sounds are distracting, try playing some soft music to distract from traffic or neighborhood noises - or invest in noise-canceling headphones. At home with kids? Plan to work when they are sleeping (for many years my creative calendar was scheduled around nap and bedtimes). And certainly, limit the distractions that you have control over. Close any browsers, leave your phone or tablet across the room from you (out of sight out of mind) and then get to work.

#7 Creative routines.

Coming up with a routine that works best for your home/family/creative life can take some practice. Having a creative routine in place will help you become more productive and make the most of the time that you have available. Using hack #2 build your routine around your best time of day. My creative routine begins with a few simple morning tasks - with a short yoga practice, breakfast with a cup of tea in the studio, and 5-minutes to review emails. Afterward, I start with the first item on my top three and spend the next 1.5-2 hours working before I take a break. My afternoons are not as predictable, giving me the flexibility to run errands, spend time with a kiddo, or schedule a conference call. Think about your typical week and decide how you can plan for a new productive routine.

#8 Time for Connections

Working from home can be isolating especially for freelancers. Take the time to stay in touch with other people - and not just through social media channels. Plan a monthly phone call or video chat with a creative peer, join a critique group, or attend an event or conference. Find ways to connect with like-minded individuals to help you feel more connected, inspired, and understood.

#9 Boundaries

Having some boundaries in place is a necessary step to working from home. Friends and family should have a better understanding of what working from home requires - after the mess that was 2020 - but it remains crucial to set boundaries. Alert family if you're preparing for a busy day/week. When I'm facing a deadline, I let them know that my door will be closed (baring an emergency) but look forward to having dinner together that evening. For younger children, you could use a visual... place a stuffed animal in the doorway to signal that you can't be disturbed or wear a "thinking cap". By making the situation light-hearted and using a simple object, it will be easier for a child to recognize the difference between your work modes.

#10 A Healthy Mindset

Working from home is easier with the right mindset. Be grateful for the days when your creativity is flowing and you cross things off with ease, and be kind to yourself on the days that don't go as planned. If you're feeling guilty about not spending enough time with family - revisit your calendar. Are you overbooked in some areas? Maybe you have a project taking up more time than usual... can you plan a family activity once the project is finished? Be mindful of triggers that can shift your mindset into a negative space... lack of sleep or exercise? in a creative rut? battling a cold? IS there something you can do to improve the situation and return your mindset to a more positive perspective? It can be as simple as taking a day off, getting a good night's sleep, or soaking in a warm tub.

#11 Do what works best for you

I included this final hack so that you could tailor these tips into what works best for you. Your family, work, and social life are different from my own. Everyone has different likes/dislikes, personalities, work preferences, and needs. That's okay. Through some trial and error, you will find what works best for you. Understand, that routines and schedules will shift and adjust to your life circumstances. Especially during difficult times, when so many are feeling disheartened or frustrated. Just remember that difficult times can push you outside of your comfort zone and good things can come from this. Being outside that zone enables time for reflection, and maybe even a karmic kick in the pants to try something new.
So... why not? Why not try and make the best of this "new normal" and find even one new thing that you can feel positive about?