WFH tips for your ISO office
Working from Home: Steps to Stay Productive & Focused
Most of you working from home (WFH) may find it’s not all about wearing your PJs and watching Netflix in the background. It takes a lot of willpower to get back on track after leaving an ingrained routine like going to the office each day.
All it takes is a few simple steps throughout the day to set yourself up for WFH success—to help you stay productive, focused, and not climbing the walls by 5 pm.
8:30 am – Stick to a schedule
A lack of structure can derail your WFH lifestyle. Set regular start and finish times for your working day. If you normally start at 9 am, keep that routine: get up, have your morning coffee, go for a walk instead of your commute, then switch on at 9 am. Sweatpants and jumpers are appropriate workplace attire now (and we aren’t complaining).
Also, stick to your regular eating schedule. If you fast in the mornings and break at lunch, maintain that. If you prefer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, keep those routines to minimize fridge or pantry raids. Calocurb can help manage cravings throughout the day, and if you’re fasting, can help keep you on track so you can focus on work, not what to eat next.
9:00 am – Make a dedicated workspace
Keep your bed and your work separate. Working from bed may seem cozy, but it makes it hard to focus and difficult to switch off at night. If you don’t have a home office, designate a spot—one end of the kitchen table will do. At day’s end, pack it away so your home can feel like home again.
11:00 am – Communicate with colleagues
Moving from a buzzing office to a quiet home can feel isolating. Social interaction is essential for mental well-being and team bonding. Without those incidental chats, you need to be proactive. Lean into video calls rather than audio only—face-to-face interaction (even virtual) makes meetings more productive and collaborative.
12:30 pm – Get out of the house for a break
Schedule breaks and, if possible within local guidelines, step outside for essentials or a quick walk. If you can’t go far, lap your backyard or feel the sun on your face from a balcony. Use this time outside instead of repeatedly visiting the fridge or pantry.
3:00 pm – Get in the zone
When productivity lags, music can help. Pop on your headphones and play something uplifting. A good track can shift your mindset from home mode to work mode—give it a try when you need a boost.
5:00 pm – Know when to quit
Just as starting on time is vital, so is ending on time. Shut the laptop, walk away, and enjoy the evening. A short walk can create a mental break between work and personal life. If you’re tempted to squeeze in one last task, remember that tackling it tomorrow, rested, will be easier.
Above all, keep a positive outlook. WFH won’t be permanent, but it will create new dynamics in your family and routines. Be patient, note what’s working and what’s not, and refine your plan weekly. You may find you’re getting more done—enjoy the lack of commute stress and office politics. That silver lining just got brighter.
