How I Stay Productive When Working from Home

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Emergen-C for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Working from home can be great, but if you’re not disciplined or can’t stay focused you can slack quite easily. No boss checking in on you, the couch calling your name, snacks whenever you want them! This sounds like the life… or so you think. Let me tell you, that won’t last long. I guarantee you won’t be productive and your energy levels will actually fall quickly due to lack of motivation.

I’m all about routine and schedules which I try to follow in order to be as productive and efficient as possible. I’ve been working from home teaching online college courses for almost a year and a half and in that time I’ve perfected a method that works well for me! The most important thing for me has been staying focused and pacing myself. This is why I’m so excited Emergen-C^® reached out to me to share my tips with you!

So let’s jump in and see how I stay productive while working at home …

Wake Up Early: Even though technically I don’t have to be in the office and clock-in at a certain time, it doesn’t mean I sleep in and linger around the house until I feel ready to work. I set my alarm each day, wake up and hit the gym first thing in the morning. Some people think I’m nuts for going before the sun even comes up but that really kick starts my day!

Game Plan: I’m a planner, end of story. Type-A, sticky notes everywhere, reminders going off on my phone all day kind of girl! Call me crazy, but I think about the coming day every night. Whether that means setting my gym clothes out the night before (I swear this helps “encourage” me to go!), meal prepping or laying out everything on my desk that needs to get worked on the next day. Simple things like these help my day flow and don’t allow me to procrastinate.

Get Dressed: I know this may sound really silly… get dressed? It might seem like an obvious thing one should do every day, but let me tell you…. when you work from home it’s not! It’s tempting to stay in pj’s all day with a messy bun. I’m a big believer in “you feel how you look”, so I get up every morning and get ready as if I’m going to an office.

Create a To-Do-List: Each morning before I get my work day started I write a list. I’m talking a good old fashion list on a pad of paper. This helps keep me on my task throughout the day and there is nothing more satisfying than crossing items off!

Prioritize my Tasks: I’m a morning person, therefore my productivity tends to drop off as the day goes on. This is why I always try to do the most important things on my list earlier in the day. My brain is sharp, the distractions are low. When I’m writing my to-do-list I always put my more challenging tasks at the top.

Stay Focused: Don’t get sidetracked. People may ask you for favors knowing you’re at home, but keep your eye on the prize. However, make sure you take breaks so you don’t burn out.

Take Breaks: I swear by breaks. I’m not talking about laying on the couch catching up on my recorded shows for two hours during the day. But, come 2:30 every day and I start to feel my energy level and productivity drop I know it’s time for a break. Whether that means getting away from the computer for a few minutes to prep for dinner or taking a walk around the neighborhood. Since discovering the NEW Emergen-C^® Energy+ Dietary Supplement drink mix it has become a part of my afternoon routine! What I love about Emergen-C^® Energy+ is that it’s a product that allows you to personalize your energy with one or two packets, depending on what you’re needing at the time!

As someone with celiac, I’m always looking for the biggest “bang for my buck” when it comes to nutrition! This is where Emergen-C^® Energy+ comes in. It focuses your mind and revitalizes your body with natural caffeine from green tea plus 7 B vitamins to fortify you.* To top it off, they’re all gluten free!

I love how they come in little packets that I can easily toss in my purse and take with me when I’m on the go. All I need is some water, toss it in, give it a stir and I’m good to go!

Set Time Limits: I wear many hats throughout the day. I need to grade papers and make sure all my students’ needs are getting met, work on my blog and also get things done around the house. Working at home is nice because I have the luxury of multitasking, however, I can’t afford to get stuck on one task for too long so I’ve come up with a method. I set time limits according to household chores. For example, I’ll grade as many papers of a certain assignment while the washing machine is running and then when it stops I move on to my next task. This has really helped increase my productivity since I want to get the most done in each allotted amount of time (limits the time I look at my phone!).

By following these simple tips I’m able to conquer my day and maximize my productivity!

Want to Try it for yourself? You can simply order them from Target. Besides the tasty blueberry acaí flavor, Emergen-C^® Energy+ also comes in lemon-lime or peach-mango.

What are some ways you stay productive when home?

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.