Sample Work from Home Schedules: The Struggle of the WFH Lifestyle
Working from home can feel like a dream. You can wake up slowly, eat at your leisure, and heck, you don’t actually have to wear pants, but when it comes to working from the place you call home, there are a few downsides.
When we work from home, the line between work and play becomes blurred. There is no physical separation that tells us our workday is over, and there is no one to keep us motivated but ourselves. How do we create a work from home schedule that promotes health, wellness, and balance when the office is next to our bedroom? This is a job for expectations, schedules, and boundaries.
Creating WFH Expectations
When we work an in-person job, there are clear expectations. There is a dress code, there are clear start and end times, and there is a physical separation between work life and personal life that involves some kind of transportation. These expectations dictate every facet of our day when we are in the actual office, but when we work remotely from our homes, these boundaries blur, and the physical separation becomes an abstract concept which can lead to overworking, underworking, and burnout.
What if we looked at the WFH lifestyle as a relationship? There is work me, the person who goes to work and makes the money, and there is the fun me, the person who gets to enjoy all that life has to offer. Since the two versions of myself must coincide in the same space, it’s important to create boundaries for each version to exist, so that a separation remains in the WFH lifestyle just as it would if we commuted.
The first step in creating these boundaries is by being honest about your workday. How many hours a day will you work? Is there a standard number of hours your job requires, or do you simply have to be online until a certain time? What is expected of you each workday? Once you become realistic about the number of hours in the workday, you can move on to step two: creating a schedule.
Setting a Schedule
Creating a schedule is the best way to find a happy-medium while working within the confines of a personal space. This is where, if you have the leeway, you can get creative with your day. Maybe you aren’t a morning person and can schedule meetings later in the day. Maybe you are someone that needs a movement break or a break from screen time. Maybe you like to eat smalls meals and want to add those into your schedule. No matter the need, setting a schedule can help you stay healthy and productive.
Here are a few sample schedules to get you started:
Sample Schedule 1-Traditional
Breakfast: 7:30-8:00am
On the Clock-Schedule meetings/phone calls to clients: 8:00am-12:30pm
Lunch: 12:30-1:00pm
On the Clock-Paperwork/reporting: 1:00-4:00pm
Within your “on the clock” time, you can set specific hours for meetings, add in snack breaks, and even create space for creativity and growth in your career, such as time to read self-help books or content related to your career path. By adding them to your schedule, you’re sure to complete said task!
Sample Schedule 2-Shaking Things Up
The standard workday isn’t for everyone. WFH can offer a sense of freedom we simply don’t have in the office. If you are someone who needs frequent breaks, and you have the flexibility, you can make your workday longer by adding in chores and or errands.
Breakfast: 7:30-8:00am
Meetings: 8:00-9:00am
Errands (workout, drop kids off, food shop): 9:00-10:00am
On the Clock-Paperwork/Customer Phone Calls: 10:00-12:30pm
Lunch: 12:30-1:00pm
On the Clock-Paperwork/New Clients: 1:00-2:30pm
Walk/read/meditate: 2:30-3:00pm
On the Clock-Reporting/Monthly Stats: 3:00-6:00pm
Here we see the workday broken up by errands and or movement breaks. Maybe you like to paint and can add in an hour of art space into your day. Maybe you need time to get things done during the day such as running to the post office, picking up your kids, or food shopping. Add an hour for “errands” which can keep your home life productive while offering an hour away from the screen.
Schedule 3-The Social Media Mogul
Not everyone has your typical desk job. With the pandemic in high gear, sharing content and joy is now found through social media everything. Influencer jobs are booming, and websites are scouring the ends of the earth for new and relatable content. Here’s a sample influencer’s schedule that could work for you!
Post on Social Media/Website: 9:00-10:00am
Eat breakfast and catch up on the news: 10:00-11:00am
Create content and vet sources: 11:00-2:00pm
Errands (exercise/hobby/laundry): 2:00-3:00pm
Post content/reply to messages/Phone Calls: 3:00-4:00pm
Create/edit content: 4:00-6:00pm
There isn’t one right way to create a schedule. You can add in time for prayer or daily devotionals, or you can add in time for yoga and meditation. Heck, you can even add in time to watch your favorite show! Whether it’s a traditional schedule that works for you, or you have the flexibility to run errands during your workday, creating a schedule and sticking to it can help you balance the work from home hustle.
Sticking to Your Plan and Helpful Hints
The most important part of setting a schedule is sticking to it. If you are off the clock at 5:00pm, then you must be vigilant about shutting down the computer, putting your art supplies away, and logging off social media—guilt free. Let me repeat that: when the workday is over, you must physically walk away. It might seem easy now to know you are done at a certain time, but it can become just as easy to stay online because you aren’t commuting. Use that extra time to take care of yourself and your family. Working from home can be a gift; don’t make it a curse by refusing to disconnect.
Here’s one last checklist to help you stay on track and make the most of the WFH lifestyle:
· Get dressed in work-appropriate clothing and change when the workday is done
· Eat a good breakfast—try some new recipes!
· Take breaks as needed—physically walk away from the screen, even if it’s a walk to the mailbox
· Format a schedule that works for you and your wellness needs—guilt free
· Set a timer and walk away when your workday is over-no matter your excuse
When it comes to working from home, everyone’s story is different. The Storyteller Agency is a group of working women who dominate the work from home culture and want to help you succeed. Reach out for support while you build your at-home brand and let us help yo
