Freelance jobs have taken over the world, especially in the last few years. People realized, that’s it’s much easier and more enjoyable to work remotely, as they can organize their tasks and make their own schedules. Plus, you can travel the world and work at the same time.

Sounds like the perfect job, doesn’t it? But why many people avoid working from home? Just like any other job in the world, even the most prestigious and coolest one, freelancing has its pros and cons. One of the disadvantages is the lack of communication, as you sit all alone in your house and work, with no colleagues to talk to. But this isn’t the main reason why people prefer to work in offices.

When you’re in an office, you can’t help but get work stuff done. Because there are less distractions and more “motivations“, for instance, the grumpy boss, who keeps passing your room and checking if you’re doing the tasks or not, or the thought of finishing everything asap and go home. While when you’re at home, in your comfy pajamas, your pets, constantly demanding your attention, tv and wifi, it gets harder to concentrate.

In this post I’ll be sharing some beneficial tips, that will help you stay motivated and enjoy the work from home process. Lego!

1. Create an office area. Even if your apartment is nowhere near a penthouse, still dedicate a little spot, where you’ll be working. Keep it neat and tidy, don’t put too many distractions on your desks. And don’t make it a common place, where you’ll work, eat and hang out at the same time. No, this should only be your office during the weekdays (on weekends you can use this area the way you want). This will create the imitation of an office and your mind will turn to the working mode. Let’s face it, it’s hard to focus on job, when you’re lying in your bed, a place where you sleep or just chill.

2. Make it comfortable. I know, I said no distractions on the desk, but it doesn’t involve elements of decor. You can easily add a few plants, a mood-board with inspirational quotes and pictures, some books or a photo in a frame. Make it cozy and aesthetic, because you’re going to spend quite a lot of time in here, so why not make it pleasant? Looking at an empty wall will not motivate you, whereas pretty pieces of interior will cheer you up and make you keep going.

3. Change your outfit. I’m not saying you should have a dress code in your own house and wear a suit. However, this is another psychological method, that will trick your brain into thinking that you are done resting and are ready to work. It doesn’t matter what you wear, it can be a weary hoodie and comfy sweatpants. Just make sure to change from your pajamas and leave them waiting for you late at night.

4. Make a schedule. Start each morning by creating a little schedule or to-do list, either in a planner or your phone notes. Write all your deadlines, zoom meeting hours and other tasks, starting from most urgent and significant to least important ones. This way you’ll know what exactly you must do on that very day, and you won’t be juggling with various tasks, not knowing which one to start or finish first.

5. Take breaks. This is highly important. Remember, that if you were in an office, you’d take at least one hour for a lunch, have some short coffee breaks, or brief interactions with your coworkers. And just because you’re at home, doesn’t mean that you have to sit still until your job is finished. Get up every 30 minutes, open the window to ventilate the room and breath some fresh air, do some stretching exercises, in order to not have a back pain afterwards, have a snack, drink some water. And don’t forget about longer breaks, where you can enjoy an episode of your favorite tv-show, a small walk in the nearby park, chat with a friend or just a short nap. Remember, breaks are as crucial, as working.

6. Forget all the rules. Have you read everything in the previous points? Those things will help you not procrastinate on a daily basis. But remember, that there can be such days, when you feel the most exhausted and wouldn’t want to do anything at all. On such days, forget all the rules. When you’re really moody and tired, don’t waste extra energy on making up your bed, changing into clothes, tidying up your desk. Sometimes it feels so good, just lying on your soft pillows in your comfy pajamas and not care about everything at all. At the end of the day, you’re working from home, so you don’t need to follow those rules every single day. Just remember not to make it a permanent state, otherwise you’ll be going back to procrastination once again.

These are the main things that help me stay motivated while working (or studying) from home. Hope they were beneficial for you as well!