It has been over a year since we have lived much – if not most – of our lives at home. Some have found that working from home works very well for them. Many of us have noticed increased productivity, increased free time with the elimination of our commute, and a good work-life balance. Over time, however, even with good habits established, we can fall into ruts. Considering the past year has been tumultuous, to say the least, a reminder to maximize homework seems like a good topic!

Tip # 1: get started quickly

First of all. Get off to a good start. Improve your morning routine by taking advantage of summer time to maybe wake up a few minutes “earlier”. Studies consistently show that people who get up early and have a morning routine lead happier and more productive lives. It could be you! A quick walk with a pet (Bocephus’ dedication is legendary), making a quick and healthy breakfast or just sitting outside and taking deep breaths will put your mind and body in a great place to capture the day. .

Pick something realistic that you can do every day and make it your new, healthy habit.

Tip # 2: reexamine your schedule

Take a second look at that calendar you created a year ago. If you haven’t written it down somewhere, write it down now. Maybe part of that timeline didn’t work, or maybe you didn’t work it. Make adjustments accordingly, whether it’s your actions or the schedule itself. Keep a positive frame of mind when reviewing the schedule and how it’s being delayed. This is the opportunity to assess and do even better.

Third tip: it’s time for spring cleaning

Give that home office a good spring cleaning. Decluttering is an age-old spring tradition, and now is a great time to take distractions from your desk. Maybe you can even move furniture around for a nice reset and more efficiency. Small changes can have a big impact, so think about things like maximizing lighting and minimizing interruptions (for example, having a printer placed where you don’t have to leave the room to grab things). If you’re sharing space with, say, a four-legged colleague, make sure they’re busy so they don’t pester you throughout the day.

Tip # 4: take a break!

Break for your health! Pause for a million reasons, really. Collapsing at your desk all day will make you irritable and cramped. Just like you would in the office, take short, “cold water” breaks. Quickly stretch your back and hips, rehydrate, pack a small snack, do something you can do quickly that takes you away from work for a few minutes. Breaks improve your mood and productivity.

Tip 5: keep work separate

Keep a separate work number. Personal time and work time are easily mixed up when your cell is involved, so keep it separate. Your work laptop connected to the office phone system or free services like Skype should be your office line; your cell phone must be yours. It’s one little thing that makes a big difference in a good work-life balance, even when you are working from home.

Sixth tip: keep your connections alive

Reconnect with your colleagues and continue to build camaraderie. This is your support system and you’ve been working together for a year so cheer each other on with messaging apps, that aforementioned line of work, etc. It’s also a great time to take a step back and look at the modes of communication that work best to keep everyone on top of tasks and projects. Are messages ignored in emails, but not so much in messages? Note the tools that work best so you can communicate and collaborate more effectively!

Seventh tip: check the attitude

How does your attitude hold up? Are you slipping into negative thought patterns? Sometimes an act like cleaning can be a psychological boost. The purge is good for the soul! Do the same with your attitude, banishing unnecessary self-criticism or unrealistic expectations. From there, take stock of your strengths (and those of your team) and professional successes from the past year. Taking a mental note of what you’ve all done well builds your confidence. Take note of How? ‘Or’ What you have accomplished these things preparing you for continued and perhaps greater success. An honest assessment is essential.

Tip eight: remember well

Take stock of the benefits you’ve noticed since starting working from home. The extra free time is one of the best bonuses a person can get! This is the time with your family or a cherished hobby, time to try something new or do whatever you want. Taking advantage of, well, the perks, will make you a happier person. It will also affect your job, because as mentioned in 7, a good attitude makes you a better worker.

see the video here.

Tip 9: Shake it up

Start or shake up an end-of-day routine. The way you close your day has an impact on your evening, your sleep and your next day! Design a ritual that helps you relax and give up work. Get out and about for a walk or run before dinner, sit in a comfortable chair with a good book, try yoga! You get the idea – a definitive “work is done – time me” ritual. Do you remember when you were a kid your homework was done and you had to go out and ride a bike or something like that? Treat that end-of-day routine like this. Make it something you enjoy that starts your evening on a calm and happy note.

Whether you work from home full time or are on a hybrid home / office schedule, enjoy the benefits of working from home! It seems crazy to think that maybe we have stopped enjoying the benefits of this situation, but we are human and have a real knack for not making the most of things. Go through this list and maybe other spring lists for ideas and get out of your rut from a distance. Summer is just around the corner, and it’s a great time to find ways to work more efficiently and save more time.

Planet Depos has been covering remote depositions for years, not just last year.