My Essential Work From Home (WFH) Tips

Most of you may have just survived your first day working from home and are about to spend the next month or so doing the same. For the past two years, I have worked from home one day a week. While I do love it, I have never been a fan of WHF every day. I really like being in the office. But we are living in unprecedented times and have to make adjustments to make everyone safe. So I have put together some of my best tips and tips from other work from home bosses and the list I have read from around the internet.

Slide into my DMs with your work from home tips and ill be sure to include them here!

Blue Mountain Belle Work From Home Tips

Get up and get dressed every day
Working from home in your PJs just gets old and meh. Get up get dressed, put on your makeup. You gotta treat it just like you are going to work. If you typically grab a coffee or breakfast out get up even earlier to make it at home. If you are used to a long commute where you read, listen to podcast etc before hitting the office, seriously give yourself that time in the morning so you can start on time ready to take on the day. Now is the time to hone your morning routine.

Designate an office
Since I blog outside of work and WFH one day a week I already have an office set up. If this is your first time working from home and you usually have a second screen, mouse etc. Hop on an amazon and order one ASAP. I could not work without my second screen. If you don’t have an office make a space that is not your usual living space like your bed or couch.

Be aerodynamic
Take the time to set up your space so that it’s not going to kill you back, neck, etc. Here are some steps to set up your desk for maximum comfort. I have a laptop stand that keeps my laptop at the right hight for my eyes.
Hot Tip – Use your high top kitchen counter for a standing desk

Take a break
In your office you are easily distracted by your neighbor’s conversation, checking to see if there are magically new snacks since the last time you filled up your water or getting up to walk to someone’s desk to talk in person. When you are at work, you take breaks… it’s a lot harder when you’re sitting at home so build in breaks to your day.

Set a reminder on your phone or in Slack
Use the Pomodoro Method – I use the mac app Be Focused as my timer and do 20 mins on 5 mins off.
PostureMinder – This app reminds me to set up straight but also to take a break
Lunch – When its time for launch leave your desk/office and get a full break-in
Give your eyes a break! I wear blue light glasses at work and highly suggest you get some. I have this pair that Dannielle Bernstine rocks. Another great tip for your eyes is to adjust your focus, you spend a lot of time staring at something directly in front of you, take a break to focus on something off in the distance

Video Conference Calls
Zoom, Google Hangouts and UberConference all great video conference calls. Typically, I do not turn my video on but because I am only going to see my husband for the foreseeable future turn on your camera! I mean that’s why you got decently dressed so show off your outfit and turn on video. Turn any normal call into a video call with these services

Slack
If your company is not using Slack now is the perfect time to start using it (and you can use if for free) My entire office lives in slack and it makes work so much easier. Way less email, way more communication and lots of fun gifs and channels!

Tips from Other Bad Ass Babes Working From Home

Kristen from Dressed for Time – Make sure to get physical activity infrequently. I’m lucky enough to have a treadmill in the basement and set an Alexa timer in the other room for every 2.5 hours so I HAVE to get up anyway to shut her off ? You could do jumping jacks, knee raises, weights, whatever you have access to for 10 mins each time.

Molly from Miss Molly Moon – I’ve worked remotely for a little over 5 years and STEP OUTSIDE. Even if it’s just for a few minutes.
And don’t eat your meals at your desk/workspace. Take your lunch break!

Ashley From Life on Beacon – Leverage video chat where possible, to minimize feelings of isolation. Ping/IM colleagues and friends to see how they’re doing. Leave your cell phone in another room/across the room so you’re less tempted to spend “working time” on social media – and plan breaks to step away from “work”. Choose a designated room to work from that isn’t your kitchen or living room (guest room, dining room) so you can close down and step away at the end of the day.

Melissa from Bubby and Bean – Set up a designated workspace. Don’t just work from the sofa or bed.
Do the most important work first thing in the morning. There will be distractions throughout your day, so getting the most crucial tasks done first is best. Separate personal emails and social media accounts from business as much as possible. (Especially those of us who work in social media!) Get out of the house. I know that is going to be increasingly more difficult in the coming weeks as things shut down, but seriously, even a walk or drive will save your sanity when you are constantly in your house.