“Living the dream, #amirite?”
-everyone ever who finds out that you regularly work from home
That’s not an untrue statement. But as Uncle Ben (Peter Parker’s uncle Ben, I should specify) once said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Working from home can be great. Like most things in life, treat it well and it will treat you well. Do it wrong and you’re in for a world of pain that’s completely unrelatable to anyone who hasn’t been there. That’s why you need a routine.
If you’re new to this particular journey, congratulations!
Here’s the single best piece of advice I have for anyone starting down this path: Make a routine and stick to it.
WAIT, WHAT?
Wait a minute, I hear you thinking. Didn’t I start working from home to avoid the 9 to 5 drag?
That’s totally fair. Maybe you’re not a morning person, so you’re constantly dragging ass when you have to be somewhere before noon. No problem.
A routine does not care when you do it; it only cares (okay, makes YOU care) that it gets done. If your system works best waking up at noon and going until 2am, go for it. A routine can help you get things done, no matter what time of day you’re doing them.
Your personal killer app? You need a routine. Period.
Still need convincing? I have an infographic for that. Enjoy.
Routines are like automated processes for our brains. Think of your brain like a coffeemaker (or rice cooker) with a timer. By setting that timer to go off at a certain time, you know your coffee (or rice) will be ready exactly when you want to drink (or eat) it.
The beauty of working your own hours instead of someone else’s is this: You can tailor them to fit your brain and how you work best. Do you find that you get a ton done in the morning, but your brain needs a rest after lunch? Go for a 2 hour walk, then come back and hit it.
Working from home can be amazing, but you still have to find the best way for you to get the work done. Figuring out a routine and sticking to it will help you get there.
