9 Steps in My Morning Routine that Help Me Work From Home

“How do you like working from home?” I actually get this question a lot, and the truth is—I love it! After years of exclusively working remotely, I can honestly say my home office is my preferred workspace. But it did take some getting used to, and my morning routine has definitely helped. 

We’ve talked about the beneficial reasons people want to work remotely before, but I have some personal reasons, too. For instance, I’m far more productive when I can isolate myself and focus on my work. Plus, I’m not big on commuting, and working from home makes that a non-issue. 

With that said, working in an office provided stability for me. Besides the general workday schedule, I also had my morning routine down: I woke up around the same time each day, got dressed, fixed my hair, and tried to leave at or before 8am (giving myself time for traffic jams). I also wanted a few minutes to apply my makeup in the parking lot before heading into work. (Ha!)

Because I knew my day-to-day so well, the shift to remote work was jarring. When everything shut down in 2020, I, like most people, felt shocked that I was just going to be home indefinitely. Over the years, though, I’ve collected helpful items and habits to feel comfortable and prepared during my remote workdays. And now I’m a major homebody!

1. Start the day with steps that help me wake up

Some people are morning people, and I admire those early birds. I wasn’t blessed with the morning-person gene and have a hard time waking up. So, there are a few things that help me ease into the day.

The steps that help me:

• Set a few alarms

• Browse social media first thing (I know, I know. Blame the blue light.)

• Put in eye drops

• Brush my teeth

• Put on real clothes (aka not pajamas)

These few steps help me feel refreshed and engaged. You may take a shower right after you wake up or head straight to the coffee maker. Whatever your initial morning routine steps are, doing them every day can help you feel awake and ready to face the day.

2. Do something for my mental health

Focusing on your mental health doesn’t have to be a separate chore. Even though meditation exercises are great, it can be difficult to make time for them. If you feel the same, consider pairing your mental health activity with something else you’re already doing.

For instance, I take a short walk every morning, because I have a dog who is ready to walk almost as soon as I wake up. So, yes, I do have to walk him, but it’s also a boost for my morale. I’ve also started using that time to practice a gratitude exercise. I think of a few things I’m grateful for (trying to create those healthy neural pathways!) as I walk down the street. 

3. Have a hydration ritual 

You’re probably tired of hearing it, but a lot of us forget to drink enough water. There’s a reason it’s so top of mind, though. Recent research has shown drinking more water can help you live longer and even deter signs of aging.

I actually like to start my day with orange juice and seltzer water—a faux-mosa, if you will. Maybe it’s silly, but there’s just something about having a refreshing drink solely for the AM that helps me enjoy my mornings.

And of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the only drink that matters: coffee. (Or tea, if you’re not a coffee drinker.) I’ve already talked about my French press, but I also like to stock these biodegradable coffee pods, too. Maybe it’s Pavlovian, but making coffee really does help me buckle down and work.

4. Pick a realistic list for the day

Imagine if you listed everything you want to finish. Your list would likely be overwhelming! I, for instance, would love to get ahead on all my work tasks, make my home spotless, and do a bunch of personal creative projects, but I’m never going to fit it all into one day.

So, I try to be realistic. Can I write a blog post today? Can I create marketing emails tomorrow? Can I finish that task and do those client rewrites? By picking a few attainable goals, I feel challenged (but hopefully not so challenged that I’m completely overwhelmed). This helps me stay on task and prioritize more easily.

5. Start a new browser window if I’m focusing on a new project

Okay, so you’ve woken up, addressed your mental health, hydrated, made your list, and now it’s time to work. For me, this can be the time where I procrastinate the most! I always have several tabs open on my computer, and it can be easy for me to get distracted as I’m starting a new task.

In this case, I will often minimize the window that has so many tabs and start a new window—purely dedicated to the task at hand. Instead of having my to-do list and email in front of me, I can focus on the here and now. 

6. Write everything in my planner

With most things, I prefer digital over physical. File-keeping, mail, even books! But when it comes to planning out my year, I need a physical calendar. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love having a digital calendar, but if you’re like me, you have a few—especially if you have multiple email addresses. A physical planner helps me consolidate all my dates and notes, and I can look at it anywhere, anytime. The physical nature of writing down important information also helps me remember it.

You can download this daily planner printable by signing up for our email list.

7. Cut certain things into hourly blocks

You don’t necessarily have to be so disciplined that you stick to a rigid schedule, but I have found taking the day in chunks can be helpful.

Instead of going to lunch at 12:00 on the dot, for instance, you might block out a lunch hour between 12 and 1. You might check emails between 1 and 2. I almost always walk my dog between the same times each day, which helps me keep up my morning routine. Blocking out your day in this way gives you an easy way to break up your time and plan ahead.

8. Listen to music or podcasts

If you’re dreading a boring project, podcasts can be the perfect way to zone out and speed through that list of to-dos. I enjoy lots of different shows, but I can always count on This American Life, Radio Lab, and Unsolved Mysteries (yes, there’s a podcast).

And if you’re not a podcast listener, audiobooks may be more your speed. Libby is a handy little library app that lets you check out audiobooks from your local library.

While I do love a mindless project/podcast combo, these tasks are few and far between for me. Instead of jamming away on spreadsheets, I’m typically brainstorming or writing, and I need to devote all my attention to copy. In those instances, background music always helps me. As we’ve mentioned before, music stimulates multiple parts of your brain, helping you communicate better and in some cases, even making you smarter.

9. Make myself less “available” 

This step is slightly controversial, but it can be a great habit if you’re trying to get a lot done in the mornings. For instance, we already talked about blocking out hours on your calendar, but you can also decline unnecessary meetings to save time. Many people also mute their Slack channels and put their phones on Do Not Disturb.

While I struggle to decline meetings, I like an audio-only call whenever possible. This method isn’t appropriate for all situations, but it can be helpful for large calls, especially if you need to multitask. When I’m on video, I feel the need to look at the speaker and show that I understand what they’re saying. But I can listen just as well on an audio call, and I can make a second cup of coffee or take a few dishes to the sink.

Conclusion

We know how busy WFH life can be. Luckily, your day-to-day can become habitual with enough practice. I wouldn’t be nearly as productive without my morning routine, and those few habits in the morning make the biggest difference in whether my day will be focused or chaotic.

Even with healthy habits, though, sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day. If you’ve got a big project and need creative support, we can help. We have a wide range of creative services, and your first consultation is always free. Hope this helps!