Do you work from home? How do you transition between home mode and work mode?
A morning commute is an important opportunity to get yourself into the right headspace for your job in the morning, and to let it go again in the evening.
If you’re working from home, you don’t have a built-in time or activity do to that.
Create your own rituals
You can create your own “No Commute Commute” to give yourself space for your important transition rituals.
🚶♂️ Go for a walk
Even though your commute ends back where you started, the time spent on the journey still serves the same purpose as travelling in to the office.
🧘♀️ Practice mindfulness
Choose a mindfulness practice that works for you to settle your mind and body. An good, intentional habit gives the same psychological transition as a commute.
🕴 Get dressed for work
Dress the way you want to feel. Putting on smart trousers instead of sweatpants can really put you in the work mindset. And changing at the end of the day is a great way to step out of your work persona!
🚪 Be intentional about entering your work space
If you have a separate office space, great! When you enter, pretend you’re entering a real office. If your work and living space is integrated, be clear with yourself about how you use it. Re-enter your space as if it is an office. Don’t get distracted by household chores.
🍎 Create and pack down your work space
Especially if your work spaces are integrated, take some time at the start of the day to set everything up in work mode. And then disassemble it at the end of the day to return your space to home mode.
☕ Go to a co-working space or café
Try working somewhere where you can be out of the house, surround yourself with other professionals, and encourage yourself to be focus on your work.
My Rituals
Since starting to work from home two years ago, I’ve tried out each of these methods. My favourite routine is to get dressed for a day at the office, go for a walk and leave voice notes for friends and loved ones en route. Sometimes I treat myself to a quality cup of coffee from my favourite local independent café. By the time I get home, I feel accomplished, invigorated, and ready to shift my attention fully to my work.
What do you do to transition between home and work and back again? What are your tips and successful habits?
Please share in the comments below. And see my article on the importance of conventional commutes as well.
Ways of Working
“Ways of Working” is a multi-part series of quick tips to personalize your workplace culture and make it work for you and your colleagues.
If you want help understanding and communicating your own Ways of Working, or if you want to run a Ways of Working workshop with your team, send me a message! Let’s talk.
#WaysofWorking #WorkplaceWellbeing #Commute #WFH #WorkLifeBalance #Productivity
Photo by Jan Baborák on Unsplash