{"id":6172,"date":"2020-05-05T05:47:25","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T01:47:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krisp.ai\/blog\/?p=6172"},"modified":"2024-07-04T15:43:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T11:43:41","slug":"work-from-home-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krisp.ai\/blog\/work-from-home-schedule\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create a Work From Home Schedule That Works for You"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ah, working from home: the <\/span>dream<\/span><\/i>, right? Well, not always. If circumstances are forcing you to telecommute for the first time or you\u2019re unaccustomed to working in a new environment, it can be a tough transition. Without a boss nearby, a dedicated workspace, or the imposed structure of an office, telecommuting can leave you feeling unmoored. Throw in a barking dog or screaming kids (or both!), and it can really wreck your productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial to create a work from home schedule. Rather than viewing a schedule as restrictive, see it for what it is: a tool that builds structure into your day and enables you to do your best work.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been working remotely since 2013, and below, I\u2019ll share the best tips I\u2019ve learned on how to create a work from home schedule that works for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Know Your (and Your Company\u2019s) Goals<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before you create a work from home schedule, identify what the goals are. Is there a certain number of hours you need to clock in each day? Does your company require you to be online at set times? Or are you simply trying to complete a set number of projects each month?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since I\u2019m a freelance writer, my schedule revolves around completing my assigned articles by their deadlines. Rather than plan my schedule around working a certain number of hours or at specific times of day, I plan it around monthly revenue goals. That helps me break down how many article assignments I need to receive per month and how many I need to complete per week.<\/span><\/p>\n

So sit down and write out your goals and your company\u2019s expectations. This will help you craft a work from home schedule that will please both you and your boss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"work<\/p>\n

Create a Morning Ritual<\/span><\/h2>\n

We are creatures of habit, and having a ritual that we look forward to each morning can provide us with a sense of stability that we often lack when we work from home. In fact, research shows that <\/span>routines help fill our lives with meaning<\/span><\/a>, which boosts our well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

Routines are especially important during times of crisis. When the world around us feels scary and unpredictable, we take comfort in the <\/span>predictability of our routines<\/span>, the things we can control.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your morning ritual doesn\u2019t need to be extravagant. Mine consists of getting out of bed without reaching for my phone (I often fail at this part), drinking a glass of water, praying, and then writing my to-do list for the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even when you\u2019re working from home, there\u2019s scientific evidence that getting dressed as though you\u2019re going into the office can be a good thing to keep in your morning routine. One <\/span>Northwestern University study<\/span><\/a> found that the simple act of wearing a lab coat improved selective and sustained attention on tasks. Researchers concluded that \u201cclothes can have profound and systematic psychological and behavioral consequences for their wearers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Align Your Schedule With Your Peak Energy Times<\/span><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard of the circadian rhythm, the body\u2019s internal clock, but did you know that within that circadian rhythm, there\u2019s a unique variation known as <\/span>chronotypes<\/span>? That means the old \u201cmorning lark\u201d and \u201cnight owl\u201d types hold true. Some of us are more alert during the morning, while others reach peak alertness at night.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you can, create a work from home schedule that aligns with your peak energy times. For example, if you\u2019re a lark, tackle the most energy-consuming, complicated tasks in the morning. But if you\u2019re a night owl, save those tasks for the evening.<\/span><\/p>\n

But how can you tell if you\u2019re an early bird or a night owl? My next tip for creating your work from home schedule will help you understand which times of day you\u2019re most alert.<\/span><\/p>\n

Track Your Time<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even though I don\u2019t bill by the hour, I use the app Toggl to track my time because it helps me in three ways:<\/span><\/p>\n