Man in suit holding a life saver
By Lisa VanWyk May 5, 2023

How to go from surviving to thriving in your remote office

Last year was a rough one for everyone. We have all done what was necessary to get by in a global pandemic that we thought would be over quickly. Our world has not yet returned to “normal,” if it ever will.  Many of us are still functioning in survival mode.

As we head into the new year, it is time to move beyond surviving and start thriving. With the vaccine announcements, a possible end to COVID-19 is in sight. In the meantime, there are ways to improve your work-from-home environment so you can move from surviving to thriving, no matter what the future brings.

Here are three ways to go from surviving to thriving in your remote office:

1. Create a routine (and stick to it!)

Creating a routine is something we have all heard lately. While it may sound simple, sticking to it can be a lot more difficult than you think. The most important thing to remember is to keep it simple. Little things like waking up at the same time every day and making sure to eat breakfast will go a long way. Remember to set goals for yourself, no matter how small. As we head into a year of this pandemic, it can be easy to get off track. The new year is traditionally a great time to refresh and reset your routine.

2. Exercise

Exercising is one of the best ways to stay healthy and thriving while working from home. In winter, it can be easy to become discouraged and give into the desire to stay inside all day long. Keeping your body active, though, is a great way to improve both physical and mental health. Exercising does not have to be super strenuous either. It can be something as simple as a 10-minute yoga routine in the morning. Making sure to get outside will also do wonders for your mental health. A few minutes of fresh air goes a long way, even during cold weather!

3. Separate your work life and personal life

Keeping your work life and personal life separate is difficult when working from home. We have two quick tips to help.

              a. Make sure to designate a specific area where you do work. This could be anything from a desk in your room to a spot at your kitchen table.
b. Make the most of your commute time. Don’t use the time to work! Instead, use that 30 minutes or more to exercise or meditate.
              c. Keep regular business hours and turn off work when you walk away from your desk.

These are just a few ways to help you go from surviving to thriving while working from home. Use the new year as a time to reevaluate your work environment and make sure you are taking care of yourself as well as getting work done. Whether you’re working from home due to the pandemic or it’s a permanent shift for you, these tips should help you move from surviving to thriving with the new blended work from home lifestyle.  If you are looking for a new position that will help you thrive, reach out to Step Up Recruiting if we work with companies in your area of expertise.