As a remote worker, my daily routine looks quite different from someone who commutes to an office daily. Without the structure of getting ready and heading to a workplace, I’ve had to be intentional about establishing habits and rituals that help me stay focused and productive at home. Here’s a look at my average work-from-home day.
I Start Slow with Breakfast and Coffee
One of the best parts about working remotely is that I don’t have to rush out the door first thing in the morning. Most days, I can get up between 7 and 7:30 without an alarm, thanks to blackout curtains in my bedroom. I’ll spend the first 30 minutes reading news and emails on my phone while lying in bed.
Around 8 am, I head to the kitchen to make my morning cup of coffee. I use a programmable coffee maker with a timer so a fresh pot is ready when I am. I’ll pour myself a tall mug and then make a simple but hearty breakfast like avocado toast, oatmeal, or eggs. Eating a filling breakfast at home means I won’t be distracted by hunger pangs later in the morning.
After eating, I take some time to meditate and do light yoga stretches. Just 10-15 minutes of this makes me feel grounded and centered before diving into work. I also walk around the block outside for a quick walk if the weather’s nice. The movement and sunshine help energize me for the day ahead.
I Create Work Blocks to Structure My Day
One challenge of remote work is that the days can sometimes blend without coworkers and meetings in an office. That’s why I like to break up my day into blocks focused on different tasks. Here’s what my ideal daily work schedule looks like:
9–11 am: Individual Focused Work. These first few hours of the day are when I’m most productive, so I reserve them for work requiring deep concentration like writing, programming, analyzing data, etc. I’ll put my headphones on, turn off Slack notifications, and power through high brainpower tasks.
11 am-12 pm: Meetings and Calls. After a few hours of heads-down work, I’m ready for collaboration. This is when I schedule meetings, customer calls, and anything else involving live interaction with teammates or clients. I also catch up on Slack or emails during any gaps.
12–1 pm: Break for Lunch and Exercise. I need to step away from my desk and get some movement regularly. I’ll heat leftovers or make a quick lunch before going for a walk, doing yoga, or running errands. This midday break helps me hit the reset button.
1–3 pm: Shallow Work. My energy lags in the early afternoon, so I focus on lower-intensity tasks. This might involve research, organizing files, catching up on industry news, online learning, and other shallow work that still needs to get done. If I feel drained, I may also sneak in a 20-minute catnap.
3–5 pm: Meetings and Calls. My second round of meetings and calls happens in the late afternoon. This balances out the early morning focused work time. I’m also more likely to schedule external meetings during these “business hours.”
5–6 pm: Email Catch Up. After wrapping up meetings, I’ll spend an hour plowing through any remaining emails and messages piled up during the day. This helps me start each morning with a clean slate.
Throughout the day, I use productivity methods like time blocking and the Pomodoro technique to stay on track. And I hydrate, stretch, and get up from my desk regularly. Having a dog forces me to take a walk and get some fresh air mid-day, too!
Optimizing My Home Office for Productivity
As a remote worker, having an office space conducive to doing stuff at home is crucial. Here are some of the ways I’ve optimized my home workspace:
– Dedicated desk in a quiet room away from household noises and distractions. This signals my brain that it’s time to work while sitting here.
– Fast internet connection to avoid lag and disruptions during video calls. Hard-wired ethernet instead of Wi-Fi is best for the most reliable speeds.
– External monitor, keyboard, mouse, and headset for more effortless multitasking and video conferencing.
– Laptop stand, document holder, and other ergonomic equipment to prevent strains.
– Sufficient lighting, whether natural daylight or bias lighting, behind monitors to reduce eye strain.
– Charging stations for smartphones, headphones, and other devices to avoid losing power mid-task.
– Plants, artwork, and personal items to make the space feel motivated and inspired. A comfortable chair that supports long hours of sitting.
– Diffuser, fan, or white noise machine to help block out neighborhood noises. Snacks and a coffee bar are within arm’s reach to fuel up as needed.
Having these fundamentals covered means walking straight to my desk each morning and diving into my work without disruption. It takes time to tweak your home office setup, but it’s a worthwhile investment for any remote employee.
Wrapping Up My Day
I usually finish my core work tasks by 5 or 6 pm. A full day of remote work can be draining even without a commute, so I’m ready to unwind by early evening.
Here are some of my favorite ways to close out my work-from-home days:
– Getting in a quick workout, whether a home yoga flow, neighborhood run, or strength training session. Moving my body helps release tension.
– Cooking a nourishing dinner while listening to podcasts or audiobooks. I try to prep healthy meals, but takeout or delivery is always tempting after a long day!
– Quality time with my partner, roommates, or pets. We’ll debrief on our days and catch each other up over dinner or relaxed activities.
– Reading, writing, journaling, or meditating to give my mind a break from screens.
– Streaming shows, gaming, online shopping, or other tech-based unwinding activities.
– Turning off work notifications and avoiding late-night email replies so I can completely disconnect.
– Getting ready for bed by 10 pm, including showering, laying out clothes for the next day, and prepping coffee maker/lunches.
While no two days look the same, following a consistent routine like this helps my days feel structured and balanced. The flexibility of remote work means I can adapt my schedule as needed. But having go-to habits and rhythms keeps me focused and thriving in a home office environment.
