A lot more of us are working from home these days, and although it may be temporary for some, it may become a more permanent reality for others. I’ve been working from home for the past seven years as a freelance photographer and filmmaker, and there are many things I’ve learned about myself along the way. For example, I’ve learned that I get distracted very easily. So I’ve had to implement rules and routines in order to get anything done. It can be hard to focus, it can feel lonely, and it can be hard to set up a good workspace. But I’ve found some ways that have helped me and I want to share those tips with you.

Now just a caveat, I am a creative who, for the most part, makes her living as a contractor which means I only get paid for finished work, not by the hour. I make my own hours and the quicker I finish a project, the quicker I get paid. So it’s imperative that I stay productive. And that productivity is equally as important when I don’t have a specific gig to work on, like, for example, right now. So these ideas come from that type of work, but I believe anyone could use these tips. These skills can also be useful for our everyday lives or even learning a new hobby. 

#1 Build a routine.

If you take anything from this article have it be this. Routines not only keep us on task, but they define who we are. When we have a major change in our lives, such as having a baby, or dealing with a global pandemic, or both…we will resort back to the path of least resistance and lose our drive to do anything productive. Even if you think you aren’t a routine based person, I would be willing to bet you do at least one thing in your life every day (ie. brushing teeth - hopefully). The point is, when our routines, as loose as they may be, get tossed out the window, our own identity can go with them. With so much change in the world it has become almost overwhelming to have to create a whole new routine. 

But that’s just it. If your routine was to, say, get up at 5:30 every morning to work out, but then you had a baby and 5:30 looks absolutely hellish, you may need to change the time you get your workout in. Improvise, adapt and overcome. In uncertain times, we must do this.

It can be easy to do something once or twice, but actually building a new habit is where it gets difficult. So don’t try to change everything all at once. Give yourself time. If you need to binge watch some Tiger King today, by all means do it. But make a list of the most important things you want to implement into your routine and take one of those things and nail it for a week. And then keep adding to your routine each week. Going on a walk every day with my son has become part of my routine. I feel off if I don’t do it. Same thing goes for creating. If I don’t do something creative every day I feel that I’ve almost lost my identity. This is a dangerous zone to be in. So figure out what makes you tick. What type of person are you? You don’t have to be a morning person, or a “type A” personality in order to have a routine. In the book Daily Rituals by Mason Currey, he writes about the daily routines of artists throughout history from Beethoven to Woody Allen. Every single one of their routines are different. Some worked better in the early morning hours, some worked better at night, but they all had some form of a routine to produce their best work. 

#2 Decrease as Many Distractions as Possible.

This has been the most difficult aspect of working from home for me. And it’s proven almost impossible with a new baby, but if you’re able, this is one of the most important things to staying productive and creating meaningful work. It’s so easy to get distracted by what else needs to be done around the house, or sit on your phone scrolling through social media without any pressure from the boss. The book Deep Work by Cal Newport really helped me realize how distracted I had become. It would take me much longer to complete certain tasks because of the many distractions around me. I’ve found that there are three things I can do to put me in a zone for “Deep Work”.

• Enable “Do Not Disturb” on phone and computer

• Quickly clear work space of clutter

• Put on noise canceling headphones

Once I do these three simple things, I can get in the zone, and can get loads of work done within a few hours. With a baby, I either have to wait for a nap (and skip the noise canceling headphones) or get a babysitter. If what I have in front of me seems a bit daunting and I have a hard time even getting started, I use this next trick. 

#3 The Pomodoro Technique.

This technique is essentially a time management tool that breaks down work into 25 minute sections. Set a timer for 25 minutes and focus on your specific task for that amount of time. At the end of the timer you will have at least worked on that task for 25 minutes, but most of the time you’ll be in the flow of it enough to keep going. If you need to, take a 5 minute break and reset the timer. Take a 15 to 30 minute break after 4 sessions. If you’re really a planner, this technique can help you plan your entire day. The more you do it. The more you know how long each task usually takes and the more you can utilize your time.

Obviously, some of these skills may not be possible in your line of work. But there’s so much more to life than work. And what we decide to do with our eight hours of freedom each day is essential to creating who we are, and who we want to become. 

So if you are learning something new, or trying to focus on your time with your family, or if you’re moonlighting on the side, these skills can help you do that. If you’re interested in learning more about some of these techniques, I will be releasing new content on this site often. Take a minute to subscribe to my email list below. I promise not to annoy. And if I do, feel free to unsubscribe at any time. Cheers.