Working from home can sometimes be difficult (if you’re able to work at all right now). There are more distractions that push us to the edge of insanity and pull us down until the day is over. Home is a place we want to associate with “winding down”, “relaxing”, and “personal time”. So, when we introduce work to our personal space it can be hard to balance the two. So here are some tips for staying motivated and keeping focused on the work at hand. This can apply to anything that requires you to get up in the morning and be productive, all while being in quarantine too. 

• Set an alarm to wake up at a decent hour in the morning – I like 7am because I’m a morning person. A lot of my energy will come to me either really early or really late but morning sunshine and hot coffee always puts me to work.
• Try to leave your phone alone for at least thirty minutes after waking up – once the alarm sounds turn it over and start your morning routine (go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, etc.). I tend to have some trouble with this one and find myself subconsciously swiping through Tik Tok and Instagram. We could all use a little disconnect from our phones and this will ensure that you’re on your “A” game at the start of your day, rather than scrolling for hours on end. 
• Make a list of priorities – I tend to do this the night before so I don’t waste any time on making a list the next day. I also prefer to write the amount of time I think it will take to complete something next to the activity so I can decide where it will fit into my day best. If you don’t like to be so scheduled, a general list will do fine to keep you on track of what needs to get done.
• Eat breakfast – now this is totally up to you but I find that even if I drink some coffee or tea I feel better and more motivated to start working than if I ate or drank nothing. Also please drink a HUGE glass of water before eating anything. Your body will thank you. 
• Set milestones for the day if you are working on a bigger project. They don’t have to be major (like finishing an entire project by 10 AM). Instead, make smaller goals that you can achieve in an allotted time. Set a timer if you need to really stay on track and try not to stress.
• Motivate yourself with breaks – if it’s a gorgeous day out, decide how many goals you want to achieve in a few hours and give yourself a fifteen minute break to stretch your legs or relax outside. If you try to push through everything you have that day it might lead you to die out later on. Take your breaks, they are lifesavers.
• Keep a clear mind, and a clear space for that matter – I try to clean up my work space enough so that I don’t have to think about it and use it as an excuse to stop working. I let myself clean up for five to ten minutes and then get to work. I really believe the “calm mind = clean space” mindset.

These are my go-to’s for a brighter start to your day. But remember, it’s up to you to hold yourself accountable. Keep a diary, a bullet journal, or even a photo diary of your mornings and productivity. Take a moment to slow down and recognize your progress; being mindful of your body and thoughts as you try out new routines. There is always a possibility of a lack of motivation and productivity working from home. Until life resumes back to a level of normalcy, let’s make working from home feel productive and be a positive experience.