9 Simple Hacks for Maximum Productivity
Mastering the Art of Working from Home: My Tips for Staying Sane, Organized, and Successful
Let’s start with a reality check: I’m fortunate to have a job that allows me to structure my own schedule every day, and I know not everyone is in that position. For moms with newborns, stay-at-home parents, or anyone whose job isn’t a typical 9-5, the idea of “optimizing” your work-from-home routine might feel laughable. But, hear me out—I think there’s something here for everyone, even if it’s just one small takeaway to help lower stress and anxiety.
So, whether you're balancing Zoom meetings with nap times or juggling team calls while trying to wrangle a toddler (been there!), here are my tried-and-true tips for making the most of working from home.
1. Schedule & Calendar Maintenance: The Key to My Sanity
If I didn’t maintain my schedule and calendar religiously, chaos would reign. There’s just no way around it. Calendar blocking has become my lifeline, and I mean *everything* goes on the calendar. Why? Because I need to make sure I’m not overbooked with meetings that leave no time for actual work. As much as I love meetings (sarcasm, anyone?), they can quickly eat away at productive hours.
To avoid this, I block off asynchronous time each day to work on my projects. It’s a non-negotiable. If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not getting done, and I make sure everyone knows when I’m not available. You can’t expect to be productive when you’re on back-to-back calls with no space to breathe.
2. Morning Routine: Fill Your Own Cup First
Ah, the morning routine—my sacred time before the world wakes up (and by world, I mean my child). Is it easy to get up before everyone else to have a few precious moments for myself? Absolutely not. Do some mornings look like a train wreck? Yes. But I’ve learned that if I don’t fill my own cup first, there’s no way I can pour into everyone else’s.
My morning routine involves a workout, sipping tea while reading a book (even if it’s just for five minutes), and getting myself fully ready before my child wakes up. It doesn’t always go perfectly, but my intention is there. If you’re a caregiver or mom, I know how easy it is to let self-care slide. But trust me, carving out this time is worth it. You deserve it.
3. Don’t Start Your Day with Emails (Seriously, Just Don’t)
If you immediately dive into your inbox or Slack messages first thing in the morning, it’s a trap. You’ll be sucked into the vortex, and before you know it, your priority list is a distant memory. Instead, I set a timer for 40 minutes at the start of my workday to strictly focus on the top priority tasks I’ve already identified. This gives me a sense of accomplishment before I even glance at my inbox, which is the key to not letting other people's to-do lists hijack my day.
4. Scheduled Email Checks: Not All the Time, Just Some of the Time
Speaking of email, I try my best to only check it every half hour or so. This, of course, is hit or miss depending on the day, but when I stick to it, it makes a huge difference. The goal is to prevent the constant pinging of new messages from derailing my train of thought. The more I can control when I engage with emails, the better my focus and productivity.
5. The ADHD/Anxiety Combo: Systems for Success
I’ve got attention issues and anxiety—so what? The key to my success is setting up systems that help me stay on track. I live by my calendar alerts, to-do lists, and timers. Without them, it would be chaos. If you’re like me and have a tendency to get overwhelmed, try implementing small systems to keep you organized. Trust me, your brain will thank you.
6. Make Your Availability Known—and Stick to It
In my job, we use Slack as a communication tool, and one of the best things we’ve done is create emoji notifications that let everyone know when we’re available or when we’ll respond. Not everyone remembers to use these emojis (ahem), but a gentle reminder usually helps. This system creates an environment where respect for each other’s time is a priority. No one can be at someone else’s beck and call 24/7.
And speaking of boundaries, I have no problem telling my coworkers when they’re trying to schedule meetings outside of my working hours. My calendar clearly states when I’m available, and I stick to it. Saying no is a learned behavior (and one I’m still working on!), but it’s a critical part of maintaining your work-life balance. Remember: acting with integrity means saying no when necessary.
7. You Can’t Be Two Things at Once
Here’s a reality that I had to accept the hard way: I cannot be both a great mom and a great professional at the exact same time. I can try (and I have), but the truth is, when I attempt to do both simultaneously, one of those roles inevitably suffers—or worse, both do.
If my daughter is home sick or off from school, I let my coworkers know upfront so that expectations are clear. I’m transparent about potential delays in my responses and project timelines because, well, I’m human, and kids don’t exactly follow corporate work schedules. When you set these expectations, people tend to be much more understanding, and that pressure to “do it all” eases up just a little bit.
8. End-of-Day Rituals: Setting Up for Success Tomorrow
The last 15 minutes of my day are always blocked off for one thing: a brain dump. I take time to mentally go over what I accomplished that day and prepare my list of priorities for the next. This not only helps me feel accomplished, but it also sets me up for a less stressful morning the next day.
On Fridays, I extend this ritual to the last half of the day, summarizing the entire week and ensuring I’m prepped for the following one. It’s my way of closing out the week on a high note, without scrambling at the last minute.
9. Calendar Alerts: Your New Best Friend
Another lifesaver for me? Calendar alerts. I set reminders for important meetings, presentations, or any major tasks about a week or a day in advance—depending on how much work is involved. This keeps me from rushing last minute to throw things together and helps me put my best effort forward without the stress.
My Office Necessities
If you're looking for ways to create an office vibe that boosts focus while still being easy on the eyes, keep reading! I’m sharing some of the things that have transformed my office into a space where I actually enjoy getting work done (most days…).
Office Supplies are my Love Language
These Pens: Not only are they pretty to look at, they write like a dream.
This Planner: It’s a lifesaver! I love how customizable it is and the designs are chef’s kiss*.
These Highlighters: No, nothing fancy here, but I color code everything. (Hi, I’m the visual learner, it’s me.)
Space Savers
This Laptop Stand: Not only does it bring my screen up to a good height to help with posture, but it’s pretty AND gives me more desk-real-estate.
This Cell Phone Stand: Can’t get more “first world” than this, but it’s a delight. I can sit my cell up on my desk so it doesnt take up more space, AND I always know where it is. (Plus it matches the laptop stand… so…)
The Big Stuff
This Desk: Probably one of my favorite furniture pieces I’ve made to date. Soft close drawers, it’s SO pretty, and the size is perfect so I don’t feel so crampt. Hot tip- it goes on sale frequently. So keep watching the price!
This chair: I wanted something comforable, pretty, and functional. This chair hit all the notes. I will say, the seat cushion went flat a bit quicker than I would have liked (also probably a reminder I need to stand up more), but was an easy fix with a cute pillow.
This Walking Pad: A very recent purchase, and am REALLY mad at myself for not investing sooner. While I do schedule time away from my desk (bonus tip from above!) sometimes, the weather and time isn’t on my side. With this pad I can manage my projects while moving my body. Tip: It IS kind of heavy, and with the stand attached it doesn’t fit “under” much, but that’s not a problem for my space. If it is for you, perhaps look at a model with a stand that’s easier to remover or one of those cool Standing Desks!
Working from home isn’t always a walk in the park, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic either. By sticking to a schedule, creating space for yourself, and setting up systems to manage your day, you can make the most of the flexibility that comes with working remotely. And if you’re someone who doesn’t have a typical 9-5 or is in the trenches with little ones, just remember: even implementing one or two of these strategies can go a long way in helping you feel more in control.
At the end of the day, it’s all about balance—and knowing when to shut the laptop and pour yourself a well-deserved glass of wine (or tea if that’s more your thing!).
You’re Doing Great,
Samantha
