How to Stay Motivated While Working From Home...Even when you don't want to!

Let’s face it. The last few months have been a challenge for many of us. And for those of us who still have the privilege of being busy with work, it’s been difficult to constantly stay positive in the face of uncertainty. Yes, you’re grateful to be employed...but somehow you’re working longer hours, or harder than ever, in spaces that you’re just not accustomed to working!

So how do you stay motivated, positive and enthusiastic when faced with such challenges? How do you motivate employees to do the same when you are no longer sharing an office and can gather in the breakroom for a slice of cake?

1. Give Yourself Space (and some room to think!)

One of the great things about working in an office is having a dedicated place to, well, do your work. Not unlike having a uniform, offices set clear intentions about what goes on in such spaces. The mere act of sitting down at a dedicated desk triggers particular behaviours. You know that once you sit down, you’re checking your email, or your voicemail, following up with customers, or working on your next deliverable.

When we work from home, things become a bit untethered. Suddenly “work” happens in the same place as breakfast, lunch, dinner, homework, or, in worst case scenarios, sleep. It’s hard to think about work when your pillow looks so inviting or the kitchen is so close.

That’s why it’s important to create a workspace that is tidy and distraction free. Create a nook for yourself at the end of the dining table where you KNOW work can happen. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, check out Pinterest for some unique ideas for home offices carved out of small spaces, like closets or crawl spaces! Harry Potter, anyone?

2. Set Some (Realistic) Goals

Goal-setting is an important part of staying motivated and on task. But did you know that there’s a crucial difference between setting goals and creating a task list?

Keeping a notebook handy in your dedicated workspace is an important first step in keeping to a task list. Checklists or easily identifiable tasks help one stay productive and help you get through the day by creating discrete tasks that can be “closed off” before the day is done. But don’t create lengthy lists of things that will take days to accomplish or that are actually “bigger picture” intentions. This is a surefire path to demotivation! Instead, make sure that the task lists you build contain discrete parts of bigger goals, ones that you’re motivated to get done. This helps build momentum, moving you from one task to another, and keeping you in a rhythm of getting things done!

Big goal | Travel the world
Medium goal | Travel to Australia
Little task | Research accommodations

3. Get Out and Move

Staying active is a key ingredient in staying motivated. Though you may not realize it, even relatively sedentary lifestyles benefit from trips to the office. Getting out to the car, walking to lunch, or walking around your office, particularly bigger offices, all help us get our steps in. So what do you do when a trip around the office suddenly turns into a trip to the basement, or worse, a trip from the bedroom to the living room?

Make time for midday exercise breaks. Set your lunch schedule (yes, staying on a schedule is important too!) with the intention of making time for a walk through the neighborhood, or some basic stretching on your yoga mat. If you’ve got some #furpals, now’s the time to take them for a walk around the block!

While it might be hard to get up the motivation to exercise, little actions help build big results and regular exercise helps increase energy in both the short and long term, helping you to power through the work day! Remember to stay hydrated while you’re at it!

4. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

While we’re on the subject of staying hydrated, your brain and your body needs regular fuel to stay energized! While it may be tempting to skip meals or stock up on sugary foods, use your time at home to develop a better meal routine. Think of this time as a great opportunity for meal planning and a good exercise in self-restraint. Now you can do away with distractions like the office vending machine and reach for healthier options like fruits or veggies. (If you happen to have made a loaf or three of banana bread during this time, though, we don’t fault you for indulging!)

5. Stay Connected

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of quarantine is suddenly being alone when you were once accustomed to being surrounded by your boss and coworkers. While consultants, contract workers, or those who are self-employed in creative industries might be more accustomed to working in isolation, many of us thrive in team settings.

The good news is that there are many platforms in the digital age to help you connect with your coworkers. Conference calls via phone, or better yet, over video, help you stay in touch with your team. Start each day with a daily “scrum” and end each week with a beer and you’ll soon see that there are many ways to build team morale. You may even benefit from sharing some of your new fuzzy office companions over video chat. Who doesn’t enjoy seeing Rover suit up for an im-paw-tant call?