For most of us, working from home is like a dream job. You can work when you want, how you want and wherever you want.

If you’re like me, you feel out of control without having some type of routine in your work life.

But it can be hard to keep up with a routine when you’re your own boss. Having so much freedom can actually hurt your business and your personal life if you don’t stick to a routine.

I’m sharing my best real-life tips for setting a work from home routine…

Plan out your week

Having a plan will ensure you stick to a routine when working from home. Loosely plan out your morning, afternoon and evening for each weekday. Working from home makes it so easy to become distracted and try to work on ten things at once, while never completing anything. I like to use the app Todist to plan and prioritize my tasks for the week.

Don’t overwork yourself

It’s easy to overdo it when you don’t have set work hours. In the beginning days of Sugar Studios I was working from before sunrise to after midnight. I totally overdid it and it was taking a toll on my family life. Make sure you aren’t working too hard and avoid working around the clock by making plans, even it’s with yourself for dinner and a movie.

Start work early

Getting an early start is a really great way to be productive, especially for work at home mom’s. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs wake up before sunrise to sneak in an hour or two of work before their family wakes up and the circus begins. I’ve never been an early riser, but when I started my business I needed to find some extra time to get in some work. I soon found that I LOVED the quiet time in the morning and got my best work done.

Turn off distractions

Whatever it is that can distract you from work – TURN IT OFF! Some people are distracted by TV, noises outside, cellphones or other people in the house. Put your cellphone in another room, go to an area of your house where you won’t be distracted, or shut the door to your office and be clear about not being disturbed. Be aware of what it is that often stops your from working and do your best to avoid it.

Create a workspace

Having your own workspace is one of the most important parts of setting a routine when you work from home. Even if it’s a corner in the living room or a guest room, you need a defined space that’s yours. I have a studio in my home, but guess what? I often work in the kitchen or den. When I’m in serious design mode I NEED to be in the office because there’s privacy and a huge monitor. Decorating your office space also helps to make you feel more connected and more comfortable in your space.

Set work hours

This is a really important tip. Having round the clock hours and inconsistency during your work week can hurt your business. I like to have set business hours and I generally work every weekday. Having a set schedule keeps me consistent, in touch with my clients and fans on social media. Another benefit to having set hours is knowing when to stop working.

Get out of the house

Getting out of the house is really important, whether it’s stepping out to run errands or going to a quiet place to work. Taking a break from your workspace allows you to recharge and refresh. I like to get outside every day for a walk just clear my mind and take a step back from the computer.

Develop Healthy habits

It’s easy to develop bad habits when working from home, like not getting up from your desk for hours, snacking too much and not drinking enough water. Use a reminder to get up and walk around the house after you’ve been sitting for an hour. Try to keep healthy snacks nearby like a canister of nuts on your desk and a pitcher of lemon water. To keep your eyes healthy from looking at a computer screen all day, try the 20/20/20 rule. Look away from your screen every 20 minutes, 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

I hope these WFH tips help you set and KEEP a routine that works for you!

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What do you think of this article? Do you have any questions for me? Ask me in the comments box below!