How To Optimize Your Work From Home Performance
Is it possible to work from home and have your children at home too? Is it possible to be successful at your profession and have your children excel in school with you both being at home? Is it possible to get everything you need to do in a day while at home, working, and taking care of your children?
In this blog post, you will find 5 ways to optimize your performance when you work from home with children.
Set up your work space to optimize your performance
- Set up a space where you are going to work– I have FINALLY done this in my home. Like I have a consistent, designated space. It is my space. My children now know when I am there: Mommy is working!
Does this mean I don’t move around? Of course not! The beauty of being at home is the ability to be flexible.
However, you need to have the space set aside that you can retreat to and GET TO WORK. This may take time to develop and may have to be reorganized several times before it fits you well. But deciding what doesn’t work is as important as deciding what is right.
Don’t let the revisions and changes stop you. You know what you like. Make it place that is comfortable for you, so you can be productive. The key to working from home is remaining productive throughout the day and still completing those work projects despite the laundry that has to be done.
Plan your daily tasks to optimize your performance
- Plan your daily tasks and your children’s daily tasks EVERYDAY– this means you need to have designated work hours. The time when you can work best, uninterrupted and get the most done.
We are back to planning. [See post Four reasons you should plan.]
Planning is essential ! Everyday!
I LOOOOOVE PLANNING!
Planning saved my life.
Literally every area of my life.
Saved my marriage.
Saved my children.
Saved my spiritual life.
Saved my friendships.
Saved my professional life.
Saved my meal planning.
Saved my creativity.
Saved me.
Plan your day each day. Plan your children’s day each day. [See how to plan activities for your children during a pandemic. These tips work for everyday planning as well.] Assist your husband with his planning as well. Family planning is key in decreasing frustration and increasing communication.
Having a designated day to complete your family planning allows everyone to think about the week ahead. This will allow your family to be able to support each other if someone has a big event or project coming up before the day arrives. Family planning allows for everyone to remain informed.
Especially with the work from home routine, everyone needs to know when someone needs that quiet area for a meeting or appointment. Older children can assist in entertaining younger ones. Plus, it helps you ready yourself for what you have to get done in the week as well.
Here is a planner on Amazon that you can use for yourself and family planning. It even has some sections to allow for goal setting!
*This is an affiliate link meaning that using this link does result in a small reimbursement to me but does not affect your shopping experience or the price of the item to you. I recommend items that I think will help you Find Your Flourish! and relate directly to post. Please see my privacy policy for further information.*
Go outside to optimize your performance
- Go outside, get some fresh air, perform a physical activity– It is documented that everyone should receive amount of outdoor time per day. Kind of like an apple a day.
Based on research that was reported in the journal Scientific Reports and written about in the New York Times, a person should spend 120 minutes outside per week which works out to be about 20 minutes a day. Make sure you get yours!
Fresh air helps to reset your mind. Allows you to refocus on tasks that need to get completed. It helps you to tap into your creativity. With children at home, going outside also provides them with an outlet for their energy as well.
Going outside is excellent for your mental health and can also support positive physical health as well if you do the right type of activity when you are outside.
Plan a weekly reward
- Plan a weekly reward to allow yourself to celebrate your accomplishments for the week– this gives you something tangible to work towards each week.
Why do you do what you do? Why are you in a certain profession? We all know no one can be paid for their true worth.
But you can reward yourself! It doesn’t have to be big. It can be something small, but as long as it has value to you.
We have chosen some sort of frozen treat at the end of our week. After we do our school work. After work. After we finish our household chores.
We are getting an icy; a smoothie; some ice cream. Some kind of yummy treat to let ourselves know “Job well done.” And that we can do it all again next week.
Everyone looks forward to it.
Have we missed a week here or there due to having lower motivation to complete tasks?
YES.
It is a reward. You do not get the reward if you do not complete all the steps.
That is how it remains motivating week after week. You have to be honest with yourself.
Value + Motivation+ Project Completion = Reward
Allow yourself some grace
- Don’t be too hard on yourself and allow yourself some grace– You are human. Sometimes you have to say no to somethings.
Especially now with so many things being virtual.
I have had work meetings, followed by conferences, followed by board meetings, followed by church……..
I have had to say no to some things. And feel no guilt about it. Because self preservation.
You will be no good to anyone if you are burnt out.
You need time to rest. You need time for self reflection. You need time for rejuvenation. Take that time where you are able to do those things for you and you only. Don’t feel bad about it. Don’t think about what you could be doing. Focus on you.
Let me know what you are going to use to optimize your work performance this week!
Remember to be you, be well, be focused!
Find Your Flourish!
Shanna
Please comment below on this blog post because we all can use that extra support, share because you know someone else who would benefit from this information, and subscribe because you don’t want to miss any part of Find Your Flourish!
[…] You can be successful at your profession with your children at home, but it takes work and focus. Check out a post I made on this very topic. Use it for some ideas […]
[…] How to improve yourself with your children and husband around, how to involve family in weekly planning, how to support everyone while still supporting yourself. It can be done. […]
This is awesome advice. Thank you. I work from home and have five kids with me. Three of my kids are in school and they are virtual learners. Then I have a two year old and six month old. Plus a husband and taking care of the house and cooking all the meals. Lol. It is not easy at all.
Phylicia- you definitely have a full day, every day. Hoping that Find Your Flourish! can help you with that balance. Thank you for taking time out to read the post with everything you have to do. |Shanna|
I agree with #3! Gettit outside changes up my energy and can get my creativity flowing again. These are all great tips!
Thank you, Roxanne! Fresh air is always helpful. |Shanna|
Beautiful site! I really enjoyed your post!
Angela- Thank you so much for your kind words! |Shanna|
Great list! This year has been really interesting all around, so it’s great to have help figuring out how to figure it out! Thank you.
Julie- I am so glad you were able to find some tips in this post to help you. |Shanna|
Thankyou so much for all of these great tips!
Liz- You are welcome! I hope that something will help you optimize your work performance.|Shanna|
These are great tips! Working from home can be really hard, and affect your mental health if you’re not careful!
Thank you, Rachel! You are so right. I have had to utilize these in my life to maintain my focus during those days that seem extra long.