It’s 2021 finally! We are all in that phase of reflection on what the hell happened in 2020…and I have been doing just that - reflecting on what we all have been through since March 2020. 2021 seems to be another ball game.

In my reflection on what to write about this week, I wanted to write on something that has significantly impacted my way of living and working and something that is relatable with my community of professional women working in health care and working predominantly from home.

Balancing our homes and career has been a challenge for many employees globally, especially when you live and work in the same space.

How do you allocate your time between personal and professional responsibilities?

How can you focus on Teams meetings when you’re surrounded by dirty laundry?

These are all questions we’ve been asking ourselves at the beginning of our remote working journey because there are a lot of distractions in the home.

Doing my work remotely has taught me a few things about coping with change and continuously adapting in the moment to meet my priorities.

This post is really about what has worked for me in setting my priorities and reducing distractions in the last 10 months and definitely, continuing with this year.

You can use these success tips too to stay focused and productive when you work from home.

Follow a schedule.

Set a start and end time for your day.

Tackle your most challenging tasks during the hours when you’re at your peak – remember that knowing your peak times requires some self-awareness and it is possible for your peak times to vary. I have found using the 80-20 rule to manage my time and energy very useful.

Schedule breaks and a have a proper lunch break every day at the same time if you can. You’ll be more productive if you refresh your mind and body periodically.

When it’s time to stop working for the day, leave your job behind by doing something that signals to you psychologically that you are done.

Get organized.

Create routines and systems that encourage efficiency all round. Use your online work calendar to block out your scheduled time in the day for your 9-5pm or 8-6pm.

Change clothes.

Get dressed each morning. You may not want to wear a suit and heels but wearing something smart and casual will help you to feel more professional.

Limit distractions.

Know what distracts you! Not everyone is distracted by having the TV on or radio on in the background. Some people are distracted by seeing dirty plates in the sink or laundry in a basket. Whatever your distractions are know them and deal with them before you sit down to work in your scheduled time.

Wind down.

Do something at the end of each day to help you transition into an off-duty mindset. You might listen to music, take a walk in the park or maybe make your last cup of tea for the day and put your feet up before rustling up the family dinner.

Continue learning.

Career development matters whether you work at your dining room table or in a corner office. Catch up with your mandatory training, read industry publications and general business news.

Evaluate your performance.

Conduct your own daily goal evaluations. Look for ways to increase quality, save time, and manage stress. It’s safe to say we are all not where we started in the remote working journey. Update your daily strategy as your goals evolve.

Talk with your line manager.

It is easier to balance your work and home life when you and your boss agree on overall expectations. Don’t be afraid to negotiate the flexibility you need to succeed.

Be transparent with your hours.

Ensure your manager and colleagues know the hours that you’re available and working. Discuss arrangements for how to deal with emergencies that occur outside of those times.

Remain Visible.

Your midday meal is an opportunity to stay connected with your colleagues while you work at home. Plan a weekly lunch date with your team to catch up. It’s so rewarding!

Lastly but not at all least:

Pulling together as a family.

A strong support network is essential in ones life - I can’t stress this enough! Your team at home helps you to build your confidence around your remote working strategy and will help you to accomplish more.

Ask your family for the emotional and practical assistance you need – they can’t guess what you need and yes they do love you – a lot.

Let them know how much you appreciate them and pitch in when they need a hand too.

What I have learnt about working at home since March is that you don’t have to give up work-life balance when you give up your commute. You can enjoy more health and happiness by drawing sensible boundaries between your personal and professional activities.

I hope you find this article is useful to build your own remote working strategy that works for you and your family this new year - 2021.

Are you setting new career goals this year? If you are, why not join my January 2021 5-Day Career Goal Setting Challenge. It begins on the 25th - 29th January via email.