Given the current circumstances caused by this global pandemic, many employees who are now working from home are finding it harder and harder to stay motivated. This feeling is totally normal and to be expected; however, we can’t let our situation interfere with our goals. To help, we’ve compiled the 10 best ways to help keep our motivation and our drive while working at home.

1. Stick to a routine

Practically everyone’s normal day-to-day has been flipped upside down. To help keep some sense of normalcy and help you to stay motivated, try and create a daily routine and stick to it.

Here are our favorite routine hacks:

• Wake up and go to bed at the same time each day
• Plan time for your meals and for your work to be done
• Use apps like Evernote and set reminders

Once you start to fall into a rhythm, it’ll be a lot easier to adjust to working remotely.

2. Put on regular clothes

As comfy (and tempting) as it may be to stay in your favorite pair of pajamas and slippers all day, this won’t make you feel any better. If you walk around the house dressed like it’s your day off, you’ll feel like it actually is a day off.

Skip the suit and tie, but maybe put on your favorite pair of jeans and nice top. It’s a simple step, but it can go a long way in helping you feel ready to take on the day.

3. Create a workspace

Doing work in your bed or in front of the TV is a sure fire way to get very little done. Put together a space dedicated to only doing work. It’s important to feel comfortable in your new space, but not so comfortable that you accidentally sleep through that important meeting. Find a quiet place with few distractions and prepare to work.

4. Go outside

During a quarantine, it is important to practice social distancing and not to travel to any public places for anything other than essentials. But it’s also important to get outside and get out of the house. Sit in your yard, go for a walk, or even simply open some windows. nothing kills motivation as much as cabin fever does.

5. Put your phone away

Technology is a great way to stay connected to others and can even be a great tool to help us stay organized. But if we’re being honest, cell phones tend to distract us more than anything else. There will be plenty of time to scroll through Instagram and Tik Tok after you’ve accomplished a day’s work. In the meantime, put your phone somewhere you can’t reach it and get started.

6. Stay organized

Keeping yourself organized is going to make your life a lot easier, especially while working from home. Whether you like to write everything down in an old-fashioned agenda or your whole life is planned on Google Calendar, there’s plenty of ways to keep yourself organized so that no tasks are forgotten or overlooked.

7. Create a rewards system

Have a certain movie in mind that you’ve been dying to watch? Or maybe there’s this book sitting on your shelf that you can’t wait to read. Whatever hobbies or interests you have, try and create rewards that correspond to them for you to do after you’ve accomplished your work. It’ll help give you a push to get all your work done and is a great way to keep yourself entertained during your free time.

8. Stay connected to friends and family

During these crazy times, it’s important to stay in touch with loved ones. Plan a Friday Zoom get together or even a Netflix Party for when all of your work is done. Social interaction is a great way to stay grounded and refreshed.

9. Plan a side project

We know, it sounds crazy to follow up work with even more work, but hear us out. A personal project is a good way to allow for your brain to have a shift in direction. In doing so, it keeps your mind fresh and it keeps you actively engaged and working towards a goal.

10. Relax

We can’t stress this tip enough, but it is so important to allow yourself to relax. Each of us has our own level of energy that can be dispersed each day, but if we push ourselves too far, we’ll become burnt out and will be even less motivated. Take some time to focus on you each day and give yourself a break. If you’d like to read more about how to avoid burnout, click here.

There is a huge point of transition right now in the workforce as many employees try to make the switch to remote work. It isn’t easy and we are living through trying times. With the help of these 10 tips, you can help yourself stay motivated and stay working. Also feel free to check out this article for more information as well. Stay safe and stay healthy!