When you’re working from home ever wonder how to…
- Feel happier?
- Be healthier?
- Get out of your head?
- Be more productive?
- Get more done?
- Feel in control?
- Work less?
- Stop overwhelm?
- Feel better?
I’ve worked at home for years now. And, even though I love it, I struggle at times too.
That’s why today, I’m sharing 5 things I now do to be happier, healthier and more productive at work.
Including:
- The best way to stop overwhelm and work less.
- How to 4X your productivity — in 7 minutes.
- What you need to do every morning to look and feel your best.
- How to combine the #1 success tool with your love of coffee.
- The one thing you must stop doing in the morning — and what to do instead.
- My “10-minute secret” to more focus, energy and motivation.
- What makes me nervous but always pays off — and improves my confidence.
5 Things To Do To Be Happier, Healthier & More Successful
#1 PLAN YOUR DAY & GET 2 HOURS BACK
Do you know having a daily plan increases your productivity by 25%? That’s 2 hours a day.
That’s why I take 7 minutes every night to plan tomorrow.
I have a notebook for planning, and on one page, I list 3 professional things to get done, 2-3 personal tasks plus any work meetings and personal appointments.
I then estimate how long each task might take and when I plan to do them. E.g. Draft blog post (3 hours) –> 9am to 12pm.
Limiting my tasks and planning when I’ll do them, forces me to prioritise and be realistic. So I don’t overwork, get overwhelmed, or finish my day with that horrible feeling of not getting everything done.
#2 MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF FIRST
Is it just me, or does working from home give you an excuse to put less effort into getting ready for your day?
Unfortunately, the cons outweigh the pros.
So, over the years, I’ve created a morning routine to put my health and happiness first.
I make time to exercise, meditate, shower, do my make-up, get dressed, and have a healthy breakfast. This makes me feel ready for work, and ultimately, my day — and gives me the energy I need to think, feel and be my best.
It might sound like a lot, but the secret no one shares about morning routines is that you build them one habit at a time, over time. Not all at once or overnight as suggested on Pinterest.
#3 START WITH A POSITIVE RITUAL & IGNORE YOUR EMAIL
Once ready for work, the next thing I do is make coffee.
I LOVE coffee. So, I enjoy one every morning as part of my “start work” ritual.
It’s my signal to work, and not check email — yes, there’s a difference.
Work is what YOU plan to do — it’s the first task on your daily plan — and makes you feel in control.
Email is what others have planned to do — and can derail your day. So, I no longer check them first thing.
It’s not selfish either. It’s needed for strong mental health, to avoid burnout, and ultimately for long-term success. And, trust me, nothing bad happens if you don’t read your emails until 11am. Try it.
#4 CREATE FOCUS BLOCKS TO HELP YOU CONCENTRATE
Want to know the secret of productive and successful people? Focus blocks.
I wish I’d discovered them sooner.
Chunks of uninterrupted time to get your most important work done without distraction — no calls, no meetings, no emails, no notifications.
You’ll be surprised how much more you get done and how much faster you reach your goals with focus blocks — even just one a day (which is what I suggest you start with).
Personally, I do 50-minute focus blocks. Then take a 10-minute break.
For you, it might be 25 minutes then a 5-minute break. Or, an hour with a 15-minute break. Experiment to find what works best for you and your work.
The hardest bit? Taking a break — even though (as proven by science) it boosts my focus, energy and motivation — and importantly, makes me feel better.
#5 MAKE TIME FOR PEOPLE YOU LIKE
The fifth thing I do every day is make time to connect with one positive person. I even write it on my daily plan.
Why? Because we’re social creatures. And, at home, you miss out on those impromptu chats at your desk, in Starbucks, at lunch, or before a meeting.
So, I message people I know well and those I don’t.
At first, I’m nervous when it’s someone I don’t know well. But I challenge myself to do it. And you know what? It boosts my confidence and nobody’s ever said no.
I suggest a Zoom call or meeting for coffee. And, ask some people if they want to make it a regular thing — because I know having things to look forward to is proven to boost your happiness and wellbeing.
Plus, after every chat, I’m energised, positive, and more engaged in my work.
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As you know, there’s much more we could talk about to be happier, healthier and more productive working from home — but these 5 things help me the most. So, I want to share them with you today in the hope they help you too.
With that said, what would help you the most?
Do you need to start making more time for yourself before work? To plan and prioritise your day? Or, to experiment with focus blocks?
As said in my last post, I once thought you had to do everything in self-help articles to get what you want — you don’t. It just makes you annoyed and guilty.
So, instead, choose ONE tip and try it for 2 weeks. You’ll be surprised by the difference it makes to your life.
1:1 PERSONALISED SUPPORT
Changing your habits, behaviour and mindset can be hard work, can’t it? You don’t have to do it alone though.
If you’d like my help, join the waiting list for my Health & Wellbeing Coaching. You’ll be first to know when a space becomes available (I only work with 3 women at a time).
Don’t miss out –> beckyholliday.com/personal-health-coaching.
It’s the best thing you can do to be happier and healthier this year.
LOOKING FOR MORE?
Want to learn how to create morning habits that make you happier and healthier in 5 minutes or less? AND set you up for a productive and successful day? My *free* 5-Step Healthy & Happy Guide shows you how.
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Keep going, you’ve got this.
I help kind, hard-working and driven women, like you, achieve what they once thought they couldn’t. So, hand on heart, I know you can do it too.
With love,
Becky x