Are you new to working from home? More and more people are working from home these days. With our modern technology (hello Zoom!), companies are realizing that employees can do their work from almost anywhere. That, coupled with the health concerns of packed offices, is reason for a steep increase in working from home.

While most people work from home occasionally, making the switch to only working from home can be hard. There are some important things to keep in mind to ensure you have a successful WFH experience and that productivity doesn’t slip. I’ve been working from home for years. I have an arsenal of tips and advice to help you be successful when you work from home. Here’s the ultimate guide to working from home!

Start each day right

One of the hardest things about working from home is keeping your mornings consistent. When you don’t have to go into an office or see colleagues it’s too easy to sleep in or stay in pajamas all day… don’t do this! If you let your morning routine slide your productivity and mental health will fall next. When I started working from home I would sleep in if I didn’t have any morning calls. I’d grab my laptop and log in from bed. After a couple weeks of doing this, I started feeling unmotivated, and frankly kind of depressed. I realized I wasn’t acting professional and I was missing the routine I had when I went into an office.

Treat your WFH mornings the same as when you went into an office. Set an alarm, make your bed, get dressed and leave your bedroom. Maybe you don’t need to put a full face of makeup on, but brush your hair, do your normal skincare and put on some clothes before you start working. You’ll feel better when you start your day off on the right foot, and you’ll notice higher levels of productivity.

Create a routine

A big problem with working from home is that the day and night can mesh together. If you aren’t careful, you can find yourself working through lunch and well into the evening. Treat working from home the same as when you worked from an office. Wake up at the same time as when you commuted, break for a healthy lunch (eaten not in front of your computer), and power down at the time you would leave the office.

You need to create a structured schedule so you don’t feel overwhelmed and as if work is taking over your life. Just because you live where you work doesn’t mean you don’t have free time. Give yourself breaks, go outside for a quick walk, and when the day is over don’t open your computer until the morning. It’s also helpful to have something that signals the end of the work day. This could be taking your dog for a long walk, calling a loved one or pouring a glass of wine.

Designate a workspace

If you’re lucky enough to have a real home office, now is the time to break it in. Make it look nice and welcoming- hang a calendar, get cute office supplies, pop some flowers in a vase, invest in a comfy desk chair. Even if you don’t have an official home office, find a spot to be your designated workspace. You could use your dining room table, a kitchen island counter, or a desk in the corner of your bedroom. I live in a small NYC apartment and I sit at my kitchen table to work during the day. Having a designated workspace will also help you with keeping a routine.

Communicate clearly

Your communication skills will be incredibly important now that you aren’t in an office with coworkers. Ask your boss how she likes to keep in touch. For example, she may prefer you text in urgent situations. Schedule weekly calls or video chats with your team to keep lines of communication open, and set up a weekly check in call with your boss. If you find yourself needing more clarification to an email, pick up the phone. Without face-to-face contact it can be hard to feel connected. Ensure you reach out more, communicate frequently and be very clear and concise with your needs.

Socialize

It can be easy to slip into an isolation-based depression when you’re working from home. For many people, going into the office and interfacing with coworkers is a huge social perk. When you work from home you can feel isolated and alone. Video chats and phone calls with coworkers help, but also keep up with your social life and after work activities.

Schedule frequent dinners with friends after work, or a FaceTime session if you aren’t able to go out. Hit up the gym, or log into a digital workout to keep active and connected to a group (I love Pure Barre’s on demand classes and the Peloton app, which is great even if you don’t have the bike!).

Facebook groups can also be helpful to connect with likeminded people when you’re at home. Search for Facebook groups about your interests- I’m in groups for people who love travel, beauty, blogging and reality TV. I recommend looking for groups that have a lot of members so you know they’re established and active. The best groups are private and require you to submit a simple questionnaire to be accepted, this ensures members actually belong there.  Once you’re in, you’ll find a group of likeminded people and you can make connections and learn new things.

I hope this WFH guide was helpful! It can be tricky to navigate the switch from office life to working from home. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be a work from home pro in no time!