According to Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom, an incredible 42 percent of the U.S. labor force is now working from home.
Being able to work remotely certainly has its advantages.
You can sleep in later. No need to do your hair. And don’t even get us started on the commute, especially if you live in the Northern part of the country.
But like most things, there are two sides to the WFH life. Along with all the positives, there can be downsides to working at home.
Many people tend to get easily distracted at home and end up getting less done. Or perhaps it’s the opposite, and you have a hard time switching off from work and end up overworking.
But one of the biggest things people struggle with is motivation.
Whether its fitness, your mindset, or personal goals, you need to be extra careful about sticking to your plans when you’re spending the majority of your time at home.
Below, we’ll discuss some simple but effective steps you can take to make sure you remain motivated and continue progressing towards your goals.
1. Create a morning routine
Start your day off on the right foot with a morning routine.
Notable proponents of a morning routine are Tim Ferris and James Clear, the author of the bestselling book “Atomic Habits”.
Having a morning routine can help you feel more in control of the day, increase your productivity, and it may even lower your stress levels.
The key is pick morning rituals that you actually enjoy. Something that will actually get you out of bed.
For some people it’s meditation. For others, it's the sweet smell of fresh coffee. And for some, it’s exercise - there’s nothing quite like a hike, jog, or a quick HIIT workout to get the day started right.
If you’re looking for ideas, a 15-minute meditation followed by exercise and a protein smoothie is our favorite. Of course, you can add a cup of coffee with your smoothie for bonus points.
2. To-do lists
Maybe you already have a to-do list for work.
But if you’re working from home, where your personal life and work all seems to mesh together, you need a to-do list for every aspect of your life.
Even if it’s something super simple like walking your dog, or picking up your dry cleaning, or whatever it may be, put it all on the list.
While you’re at it, put your morning routine in there as well.
Then, as you check off the simple and easy things towards the start of the day, you’ll gain momentum and confidence.
You’ll be better equipped to tackle the bigger tasks like your at-home workouts, or getting started on your side hustle.
Bonus tip:
Create your to-do list for the next day before you go to bed. That way, when you wake up, there’s no confusion as to what needs to get done, and you can start the day with clarity and enthusiasm.
3. Your home is a place of business
When you work from home, it becomes a place of business, at least for a part of the day.
And you should treat it as such.
It's nice to be able to skip the commute and sleep in, but when you do finally get out of bed, you should still start the workday with some structure to it (after the morning routine, of course).
If possible, try not to work from the same room where you sleep. If you have an extra room, consider turning it into a home-office. Otherwise, set up your workspace in the living room.
If you do have to work from your bedroom, then be sure to make the bed so the room looks tidy and organized.
Nothing kills motivation and productivity than a cluttered mess in the background.
Not convinced? Give it a try and see if it helps. You may be surprised.
Bonus tip:
If you want to go the extra mile, then change into business casuals during work hours (or whatever your regular work attire happens to be).
4. Treat exercise as a non-negotiable
The mental health benefits of exercise cannot be overstated.
Beyond boosting your confidence and self-esteem, exercise can also combat anxiety and depression.
It also improves sleep, which will compound the benefits of exercise and increase overall wellness.
Try to make exercise a non-negotiable part of your day, whether you’re going to a gym, hiking on the trails, or a jump rope workout in your backyard.
If you need a clean boost of energy to get through the workout, try our all clean pre workout supplement.
Final thoughts
If you’re relatively new to working from home, you may have mixed feelings about it.
Maybe there are things you appreciate, like more control over your schedule. But perhaps you’ve also noticed you’re struggling a bit when it comes to fitness motivation.
The good news is that, with time, you’ll figure out a system that’s right for you.
In the meantime, try some of the steps recommended above. They might provide a motivation boost to help you get back on track with your fitness (or whatever else you’re working towards).
