But hey, it keeps things running smoothly here at Define Your Hustle HQ!
When I first started working from home, I’ll admit that there was a bit of a learning curve when it comes to staying productive.
I mean, there are so many distractions all around you. And without anyone checking in to make sure you’re doing your work, it’s easy to slack off!
After some time passed, I was able to figure out a weekly workflow that allows me to make the most of my time. While I do make adjustments to my work process on occasion, the five things I’m sharing here are non-negotiable.
My Weekly Workflow for Staying Productive
Staying productive when you work from home isn’t always easy. But having a set workflow throughout the week definitely helps me stay on track. And this is how I create a schedule that allows me to get work done while keeping my motivation levels high.
1. Plan the Week Every Sunday
How would you feel if you woke up on Monday morning knowing exactly what was on your plate for the week ahead? Personally, I think you’d feel pretty good. It’s nice going into a brand new week knowing what you need to tackle and being able to dive right in.
I highly recommend planning out your week on Sunday evening. This way, you can wake up the next day and start tackling that to-do list. No procrastinating. No more wondering what you should work on first. You’ve already planned it out in the most efficient way possible. I actually have a blog post all about how to plan your week, so definitely check that out if you need help staying productive.
2. Set Office Hours to Avoid Becoming Overworked
When your home is your office, shutting down at the end of the day can often be difficult. Your laptop is always there, ready for you to do more work. And when your to-do list feels like it’s never-ending, it can often be challenging to resist the temptation.
However, I’d highly suggest setting office hours for yourself. Think about how long you’d like to work each day, when you want to get started, and when you want to call it quits. If you want to only work four hour days, then go for it! If you’re happy with a full eight hour day, that’s totally fine too. Do what works for you. Just set those office hours and stick with them.
Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t ever pull an all-nighter. It’s fine to do once in a while, but you shouldn’t make a habit of it. Set those office hours to establish healthy boundaries and create more of a work-life balance.
3. Theme Your Days to Create Focus
When you’re taking time to plan your week, it helps to be strategic with your daily tasks. One of my favorite tips is to theme your days because it creates focus in your work schedule. You see, it’s more effective to group similar tasks together and that’s where themed days come into play.
My personal schedule looks a little something like this:
- Monday: administrative tasks and projects
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: client calls
- Friday: content creation and projects
The reason I find this so beneficial is because things like client calls are best clumped together. It’s not really productive to have them scattered throughout the week. That results in constantly bouncing back and forth between tasks. Instead, it’s better to have days dedicated to specific types of tasks.
4. Design an Intentional Morning Routine to Start Your Day Off Right
One of the things that really helps me in staying productive is having a morning routine. The reason it’s so effective is because it instantly shifts my mood and prepares me for the day ahead. And after all, how you spend your morning is going to set the tone for the rest of the day.
Think about this for a second… Do you really want to start off your day, scrolling through social media and seeing all kinds of negative, complaining posts? It’s not going to put you in the best mood, now is it? Instead, you should kick off your day doing something that’s going to light you up and make you feel good.
My morning routine consists of meditation, journaling in the form of Morning Pages, pulling angel or tarot cards (these tarot cards are my favorite), and exercising. All of these things excite me and put me into a positive mindset for the day ahead.
5. Prioritize Self-Care to Prevent Burnout
Another important element of staying productive is taking care of yourself. You can’t efficiently run your business or serve others if you aren’t feeling your best. Your heart and mind just won’t be in it. Your energy will be drained and you really won’t do anyone any good this way. That’s why it’s important to prioritize self-care.
When you make time in your weekly schedule to do something just for you, you’re going to feel so much better. Self-care time is perfect for just relaxing and recharging your batteries. You’re able to clear your mind and de-stress after a long day. And what you do to get yourself into that state is totally up to you!
Your ideal self-care time could involve soaking in a warm bath, cozying up on the couch with a good book, or scheduling a pamper session at the spa. Find something that you love to do and add it to your calendar. When you block off a time slot in your calendar, you’ll treat it with the importance it deserves.
