6 tips for staying productive & positive while working from home

This post is all about 6 tips to help you stay productive and positive while working from home.

It’s been a while since I have had much time to blog, life has proved to be extra busy for me these days. I finally passed the test and got my Texas Real Estate license and the industry has kept me very busy. It has been a goal of mine for over a decade. There is no better feeling in the world than waking up everyday and feeling lit up and energized by what you do. For my love and I, we understand that it is important that each of us has that in our lives, it helps strengthen our relationship. Waking up with purpose, feeling passionate about what work you are doing in the world is a huge boost to your personal confidence and feeling in life. Just as I was feeling all of the high momentum of the new path I am creating for myself this year, the corona virus hit and the world has suddenly come to a pause and now everyone is staying home. With the recent turn of events in the world, I’ve been feeling called to return to my love of sharing on the blog, as a way to inspire and connect. So, why not share what I’ve learned about working from home?

Most of the world is currently confined to their home and as someone who is an avid work from home professional, I thought it would be helpful for me to share what has worked for me over the last 12 or so years. The home is my territory. It’s where I have always felt the most connection and grounding in life. I’m usually a work from home rock star but these days, I have a full house (bf and baby both home) so I actually am also really out of my element and having to be extra intentional about my home workspace. For today, I’d like to share some of the fundamental work from home tips for you to keep in mind when setting up for your work week at home. Sundays are a really great time to do this as the weekend gives you ample time to prepare for the week ahead.

6 tips to stay productive working from home:

1.Set up an inspiring, dedicated work area. Whether it’s an actual desk or just a space on your dining room table, you need a place that makes you want to sit there all day. It’s highly unproductive to sit on your sofa or in your bed while doing work. You need space that is not only beautiful but functional for making to do lists, creating proper files, taking notes from phone calls, etc. A place that helps you sit properly and have support on your back, right now our health and wellness is of the utmost importance. I shared 12 of my essentials for working from home on the podcast, you’ll want to go check that out here. I get very specific on how you should set up your work space, especially using Feng Shui. Did you know that depending on what your Feng Shui element is, your desk could be draining you or enhancing your work life? You can download my element locator here. You’ll also want to add flowers, proper work supplies, candles, a comfortable chair and unique filing system, etc). How cute is this adorable pink desk lamp? it would put me right in a happy work mood. I also really like to keep inspiring + motivating books near my desk so that when I take breaks, I can be growing myself.

2. Get up and get dressed. The luxury of working from home is that you can be in the comfort of your own home while you work. It’s like living the dream. However, when you get stuck in your pj’s all day, it can get in the way of you feeling productive and powerful. It doesn’t help you stay focused and driven during your work day. Studies have shown that when working from home, those who get ready, put on their makeup, fix their hair, put on a presentable outfit are much more productive when working from home and have a higher likelihood to achieve their goals. Even if you just throw on some comfortable but stylish clothes, a little bit of mascara & hair in a cute bun, that will work. You will feel so much better when you get yourself ready to work. Don’t believe me? Put it to the test. See if you can tell the difference on how productive you are when you make yourself up in the morning versus staying in your pj’s all day.

MY GO TO LOOK: a loose sweater or tee + black leggings or skinny jeans (this way if I need to leave for an appointment, I can throw on a blazer and pumps & be out the door) Also, don’t forget smelling good + easy accessories work wonders!

3. Stick to a specific routine and schedule. When you work from home, a set calendar is one of the most impactful ways to make sure that you don’t get distracted to waste time during the day. I have always benefitted from being a planner and a very detailed one at that. You will want to schedule everything from lunch, workout break, doctors appointment, phone calls, meetings, errands, appointments, etc. Even if you want to, you can schedule time to peruse social media. When things are specific and scheduled, you will get more done than you ever thought possible. I like to sync up everything on my computer calendar and my phone so I get alerts throughout the day that remind me of how to effectively use my time. This is especially helpful if you have kids at home. They need a set schedule, too. We have Roman on a strict nap time, play time and times for him to go outside and play. While balancing our parenting duties, we also need to support one another by making ourselves available to tend to Roman when the other is on a conference call or other work assignment. Being set up with a calendar helps your whole family feel sane, it also helps you remember to do things and stay efficient. Whatever you can do that works for your family to ensure you are all on the same page. We all need to do what we can to stay stress free and feel centered and grounded, am I right?

HOT TIP FOR SUCCESS: SCHEDULE THE TIME YOU CHECK YOUR EMAIL. The thing I have learned about checking emails is that it is such a time sucker and one of the main things that can distract you from keeping on track. In the book “4 hour work week” by Tim Ferris, he credits much of his success to limiting his email time. Pick a 45 minute time frame and then STOP!

4. Take scheduled breaks. When you work at home, your mind can wander off into a thousand different things when you sit and are focused on one thing for too long. I encourage you to take breaks throughout the day and clear your mind so that when you return to work you can be clearly focused and produce better work. Be sure to schedule your time and set an alert so you can return promptly. Try journaling your thoughts and ideas if you don’t know what to do on your break time. This will help you with clarity. Get outside, take a walk, exercise. This will get your blood going and oxygen flowing which will also give you bursts of creative ideas if you are stuck. Drink green tea and/or add chia seeds to your water for extra boosts of energy.

5. De-clutter your home. The things around your home can totally distract you when working. You may remember you need to take out the trash, scrub the bathtub or catch up quickly on laundry. When you’ve got too much extra “stuff” around your home, it keeps your mind in the mode of frantic work. You want to be confident and calm when you are trying to focus on getting your work done. So, if things are scattered around, you will be much more likely to get distracted. Having an organized and tidy home just breeds productivity and success. Keep your space clean too, dust flying around, dishes in the sink and things on the floor will always distract you from your work day. Begin with organizing the area where you want to work. Keep files cleaned up and organized, don’t let things pile up on your desk and keep your to do lists tidy and in one place.

6. Join outside networking groups and get social. Working from home can be lonely at times. If you don’t have a team or a few co-workers, you’ve got to get out and get social. With the recent corona virus home quarantine, I’ve seen so many virtual hangouts. Social communities are going viral. I’ve always prioritized these, because in order to stay sane you will need a support group of people for bouncing ideas, sharing tips, venting struggles, etc. You will learn some of the most valuable things from your network. I also highly suggest you attend conferences in your industry to meet like minded individuals. Set up a meeting about once a week with your support system. This is the best part of being an entrepreneur, the freedom to cherish the wonderful people in your life. So don’t miss out on this crucial step.

I have always felt so fortunate that I have had the opportunity to work from my home or from my bed if I choose to. Having the freedom of an entrepreneur is something I have always dreamed of and I just want to remind you that you can have it too! Want to take the leap and start your own business or just take the one you have to the next level, where you can work from wherever? Use this time you have to begin to build yourself up to get where you want to be.

So, there you have it. I hope these tips are helpful and inspiring for you. If you enjoyed it, I think you will probably like to read this post too.

*If you haven’t already, be sure to head over to the Blissful Living Lounge, we are currently on a 21 day Blissful Bootcamp at home

How to prioritize joy while building a business

There is nothing like starting your own business. I personally fully enjoy the creative birthing of a brand and a business. Thinking of a name, a concept, a strategy, every part of building a vision for a business is absolutely delicious to me. Keep in mind, fastidious effort is required to see a business through from conception to execution for it to continually grow and thrive. Starting and growing a business is just not for everybody.

Ever since I was a young girl, I had a passion for interior design. I knew that was my calling and I can remember the day I decided that is what I was meant to do in my life, it felt like falling in love. So, for the last 12 years of my life, it was my purpose and I worked my butt off to grow my interior design career/business, read more here. I went, I saw, I conquered. I set out on a dream and I achieved. I moved across the country from Los Angeles to New York City and built a blog, a business and a career in the interior design industry. Looking back I am so grateful for every minute and every single opportunity.

But to be completely honest, After 12 years, I got totally burnt out. When I got pregnant, it was almost a breath of relief for me because it gave me the opportunity for a change. So, I felt like it would be a good idea to discuss with you something that I feel like I learned the hard way…..the importance of prioritizing joy while building a business.

You see, I am a Capricorn, I thrive on hard work, I always rise up to a challenge and the word hustle has always resonated with me. It’s like who I am. But after getting so burnt out over the years, I look back and realize, I totally did not prioritize my self, my personal life and I spent zero time checking in with myself to make sure I was happy. These days, ‘sparking joy’ and ‘self care’ are at the forefront of everyones mind but sometimes I feel like it is misleading us all to take longer baths and invest in facials/beauty routines.

The truth is, when you’re a woman up to something in your life, its important that you prioritize focus at the same time you must prioritize your personal joy. What I have found, as I started my jewelry business, is that when you go within to connect to your deeper purpose or calling and find a way to make money at it, true magic happens and a blissful babe is unleashed.

I’ve been seeing it happen all around me, a sort of ‘second life’ movement going on. Women going deeper within, and a more meaningful calling and purpose emerges and their business takes off like wild fire. I’ve seen a business coach toting Chanel ditch the high life and start a purposeful vegan living movement. Or a fashion PR rep become a spiritual crystal healer. Or an interior designer become a coach for creative entrepreneurs based on her career experiences. I’ve loved watching Tobi Fairley evolve her design career, too. You must read this article on Forbes for a little inspiration.

However, a few months ago, I came to the realization that my deep passion does lie with homes, with interior design, with how people live. I actually had an astrologer read my birth chart and it says in the stars that I am meant to have a career in the home sector (pretty crazy, right?). Like my soul came to this planet with a specific purpose of helping others feel more happy within the walls of their home. I questioned myself as to why I had burn out and why I needed a break? The truth was that I wasn’t prioritizing joy in my business. I was doing the hustle, reaching goals, kicking butt, etc.

Fast forward to today, I’m reconnecting with my love of interior design and getting my real estate license this year. I’ll be serving my clients in a bigger way and I could not be more excited for what’s to come. Mamas getting back to work and it feels so right in my gut to move in this direction. So, in order to build something that fulfills me for the next 12 years, I will be making sure I prioritize my bliss and joy while building my business.

HERE’S HOW:

1) Focus on the WHY more than the HOW. It’s easy to get distracted by all the noise out there teaching you strategies for making lots of money or gaining a ton of followers. The pursuit of these things will always leave you frustrated and experiencing lack. That energy is very low vibe which completely contradicts your growth. So, instead of trying to figure out all the strategies out there, try to focus on the reasons WHY you are in business. Who are you trying to serve? Why do you want to serve them? How can you give them more? What do you want to be able to do with all the success you achieve? When you are focusing on your why, the deeper meaning behind what you do, true brilliance comes from within. These answers will help you come up with greater ideas!

2) Set boundaries. Entrepreneurship requires a lot of you. It requires long hours and all of your brain power. It’s so easy to lose yourself while building your brand and business. Decide to set boundaries for your time and energy. One of my favorite boss babe hacks is setting up business activities on certain day, like Lauryn from The Skinny Confidential does all her conference calls on Wednesdays. So you can set things up for how you want to work, I now do blog posts on Tuesdays, newsletters on Mondays, Podcasts on Wednesdays, etc. This not only helps you to stay focused more strategically but it also helps your sanity.

3) A creative work environment. If you don’t already know this about me yet, I am all about Feng Shui and the energy of your environment. It is especially important when creating a business. (Read this tip for setting up your home work space.) You need to be surrounded by things that spark your inspiration, you need your tools organized so you can work efficiently. How is work joyful when you’re always spending several minutes looking for things. When your environment flows and makes your job easy, money will flow in. So if you focus not on the money (which is not so joyful) but focus on creating a harmonious environment that inspires ease and flow, the money will flow in. Make sure to always clean your desk at the end of the day, keep your papers filed and organized. Setting aside a few minutes to upkeep your work environment will always help you enjoy being at work. Bliss Tip: I encourage you to use crystals in your home office, especially on your desk. Clear quartz helps to amplify your business intentions, Amethyst pulls in abundance and Malachite inspires flow. I also always keep an orchid on the desk, it represents life and growth, beauty and harmony, you want that energy where you work.

4) Throw parties. If I have learned anything about entrepreneurship over the last 12 years, it’s that things are more fun when you bring in others to help you. When two or more people come together for a bigger purpose, whatever they do flourishes and prospers. Plus, it creates a bond in your relationships. Thriving relationships are essential in life for overall joy and wellness. We need healthy and supportive connections to keep us motivated and going. I can speak from first hand experience, every time I have had a jewelry trunk show, a lively party with friends, bonds are made and strengthened. People love to offer a helping hand, it makes them feel valued and important. They feel part of your business and you get to share that fun experience when the even is a success. That memory is a gift that keeps on giving. I always loved helping my clients throw house warming parties once we finished their design, things like this cement your client relationships, and its so much fun, too. I love attending book parties, trunk shows, open houses, grand openings, etc. Celebrating small wins and victories and cheering others on is the best part of business if you ask me.

So there you have it, a few things you can do this year while working in and on your business. I hope you enjoyed it. If you liked this post, be sure to pop on over to the Blissful Living Lounge to continue the conversation.