The business world was thrown into a bit of a tizzy when COVID-19 hit and they suddenly had to close their worlds and figure out how to enable hundreds — or even thousands — of employees to work from home. But we’ve had this working from home stuff on lock for years.

Here are our tips for staying productive — or at least feeling like you are — while not permanently melting into your couch!

WFH Tips from Theresa

I’ve been working from home since 2011 — even earlier if you count the days when I got to work from home on Fridays (or the winter when it snowed six inches every other day and kept me homebound for days at a time). So when COVID-19 hit and everyone started scrambling to figure out how to do their jobs from their living rooms, I barely noticed a difference. Here’s how I’ve stayed sane while working completely alone for nearly a decade:

• Get a dog — I mean, you don’t actually have to get a dog, but also… yes, you should definitely get a dog! When you work from home it’s easy to stay in your pajamas, go from bed to couch and back again, all without leaving the house. You may find you need a reason to get outside and interact with other humans, and for me, a dog provides that motivation. I don’t usually even get dressed until it’s time to take the dogs for a walk. And these days, one of the only places I go besides the woods or the grocery store is to obedience class with our younger dog (masks and social distancing required). 

• Create a comfortable workspace — Listen, I’ve worked in every possible setting. Small offices. Big offices. Tiny, tiny offices. And now, from home. And I’ve run the gamut in terms of my home office. For a while, I had a dedicated office that was also the catch-all space for the house, so I never ended up working there. Then I put some time and effort into making it a more functional workspace and voila! No more working from the couch or the kitchen table! These days, I live in a tiny cottage in the woods and so all I’ve got is a desk in the corner of the living room. But by taking some time to make it functional and comfortable, I’ve ensured I still have a place to be productive.

• Give yourself a snowday — When I first started working from home I still had a full-time job with a company that had headquarters in a different state. So I had to be accessible from 9-5 for all the people who had to schlep into the office every day. But then we’d get hit with a blizzard, and unlike everyone else got to call out or come in late, I found myself still working. So I found ways to give myself a break. I’d sit on the couch with a cup of tea and Gilmore Girls on in the background instead of at my desk with NPR playing. And I didn’t force myself to work late just because I’d spent two hours outside shoveling. Which leads me to...

• Don’t fret about the non-productive moments — There are plenty of people out there who worry about taking time out of the “workday” to do laundry or walk the dog. I’m here to tell you not to. If you added up all the time you waste in the office chit-chatting with co-workers, spacing out in pointless meetings, or finding excuses to go get a coffee, I guarantee you it’s far more than the time you spend doing the dishes or whatever when you work from home. (And if your boss doesn’t want you to do laundry on “company time” then be sure to enforce a “no emails after hours” rule on your end.)

WFH Tips from Rebecca

I started working from home the year before the pandemic forced everyone else to, and when it did, I became a quasi stay-at-home guide for friends fretting over their exodus from the office. Happily, I assured everyone working from home really wasn’t all that bad! It might even be better. The snacks certainly are — though the free access to your kitchen isn’t great for the waistline. There’s the privacy of your own bathroom. Best of all, no unnecessary or unwanted conversation. Productivity can be difficult at the best of times and in the most professional of settings – and yes, it takes willpower, habit, and boundaries to maintain concentration in the comfort (or chaos) of your own environment. But if you understand what you need to stay focused and stick to it, you’ll not only achieve the same level of productivity as in the workplace, you could surpass it. Here’s what works for me:

• Routine and ritual  — One of the major benefits of commuting is the built-in time to mentally prepare for the day ahead. When working from home, make sure you stick to a morning routine that allows time for similar reflection. Similarly, during work hours, try adhering to rituals that mimic the structure and balance of an office – Slack a co-worker while making your morning beverage, get yourself donuts on Friday, and don’t forget to take your lunch break. These little actions will distinguish your work hours from your home hours and keep you feeling focused and connected. 

• Find your soundtrack  —  For me, it’s classical, instrumental, or nothing. But maybe you need lyrics to drown out other distractions? Maybe you prefer podcasts or Mongolian throat singing? Whatever gets you excited to tackle the day’s project, incorporate it into your work-from-home ritual.

• Next-level lunches  —  A huge work-from-home plus is the freedom to create and enjoy superior lunches. But if you prefer to make a quick sandwich and call it a day, use the rest of your lunch break to take a walk or do some yoga. Lunch is also a great time to schedule chats with friends, family, or (virtually) socialize with co-workers. 

• Plant-based coworkers —  I have a cat but since he’s the home office equivalent of Logan Roy, I’ve taken to enlisting some compliant plants as my dedicated officemates. They’re great! Very quiet and agreeable. Bit of a bummer when I accidentally kill them, but easily replaceable.