Do you feel like every time you get a handle on something, you get pointed somewhere else? Or that you’re just having a hard time focusing on anything, let alone working on your business?
You’re not alone, friend.
Right now, most of our industry is working on their businesses while they can’t physically work in them…and that means clocking in more hours working from home than ever before.
Working from home is definitely a huge transition, especially going from using your hands every day to staring at a computer screen.
But you can still be creative, still make magic happen in your business even though you aren’t actually standing behind the chair.
Today, we’re sharing our top tips to create a customized work from home routine that helps you stay productive and make magic in your business.
Set up your space
You know how the moment you step behind your chair, you’re in the zone? Like your mind and body know it’s time to truly get to work? You need to create the same zone of focus in your house.
Have a designated workspace in your home, whether it’s a stool at the kitchen counter, a corner of the dining room table (you know, squeezed in next to your kids’ coloring books), or an actual office. Only sit in this space when it’s time to work so your brain starts to connect the two.
If space is tight, make a work kit. Have a bag with your computer, chargers, notebook, planner, whatever you need stored next to your spot. Set everything out when it’s time to work and put it away again when you’re done for the day.
Wherever you choose, keep only your tools (computer, chargers, phone, etc) and what you’re currently working on in that area to stay focused.
Track your time
If you want to be efficient with your work time (especially if you have other big responsibilities right now, like homeschooling or taking care of a loved one), you need to know where your time goes.
When you’re working at home, it’s super easy for time to just fly by. Maybe you sit down to write your monthly newsletter at 10 am, and the next time you look up, it’s nearly two. And maybe you felt frustrated that it took you so long just to write it.
But in those hours, chances are you weren’t just typing away, right? You probably checked Instagram, made your kids lunch, returned some emails, let the dog out, scanned the news. And that’s okay.
If you want to get more efficient with your time, try tracking it. For the next three days, track your time without judgment. You can do it by hour, half hour, or fifteen minute increments, whatever works best for you. If you’re supposed to be writing that social media caption but end up watching free balayage education on YouTube, that’s okay, but write it down.
At the end of the three days, look over your time logs and notice where your attention wanders off and when you’re super focused. Some people get more done in the morning, some prefer the afternoon.
Now, organize your next few days’ calendar around that information. Put big tasks – ones that require a lot of focus – during the times where you’re really focused. Let the time your mind tends to wander be more creative work, or even time with your family and rest.
Time tracking is huge in creating a work from home routine that works for you.
Set office hours
After you’ve done all that work to create the perfect schedule, don’t be afraid to set boundaries and stick to it.
On your schedule, note when your workday starts and ends. These are your office hours. It might be one long time block, or it might be in little chunks throughout the day. That’s totally okay; do what works for you.
Now, here’s the hard part: stick to your office hours. It’s so easy to get sucked into working and forget what time it is, especially when you’re working from home. Instead, when the clock hits the end of your workday, turn off the computer, tidy your space, and go enjoy time with your family.
Protect your time with your family and yourself by keeping those office hour boundaries.
Set goals
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of goals around here, but, in this new normal, they’re more important than ever.
Goals help keep us working towards our true north and working in alignment with our dreams. Even when it feels like all your 2020 planning has gone to waste, you can still use this year to make big things happen, even if they aren’t exactly the same as what you planned in January.
Know the top goals you want to get done each week (maximum three) and break down those big tasks into smaller ones to accomplish each day. These little baby steps will keep you moving forward.
Don’t be afraid to take a little bit off your plate right now, too. We as a society and especially as an industry are going through a lot right now. So if you need to back off on a few goals, know that is totally okay.
Stay connected
Let’s be honest: working from home can sometimes feel kind of lonely. And human connection is more important than ever right now. Making time in your work from home schedule to connect with somebody is huge for your peace of mind.
So call your mom, your best friend, or your sister every day. Participate (or even host!) team happy hours on Zoom. Check in with your clients, your fellow stylists, and your salon owner. Join strategy calls or online trainings and participate in the chats.
All of these little human touches will support everybody you talk with, but it will also support you. It will help you feel connected in this great, beautiful industry, with amazing people who are ready to lift you up.
We are all in this together, so let’s keep in touch to fully support one another.
Turn on Do Not Disturb
Hear us out on this one. On average, people check their phones every 12 minutes. That’s five times an hour. And if you only have three hours to work on your business, that’s 15 times your focus shifts from what you’re doing to the lit phone screen.
That seriously disrupts your focus.
When you settle in to get work done, put your phone on Do Not Disturb. The texts, phone calls, and notifications can wait until you’re done. This will help you get in the zone and get your tasks done so you can spend more time with your family.
Creating a work from home routine is all about figuring out what works and what doesn’t for you. Don’t be afraid to get creative, but always protect your time and mindset during this time.
Want to dig deeper into planning and using this amazing gift of time? Click here to read how to set goals that truly resonate with you and how to make them happen!