WFH (Working From Home) When I read this article from Marketcircle I was reminded that I am already well equipped to deal with one aspect of these uncertain times. Many of us are currently “social distancing” and working from home. I have been working from home for a couple decades. And I love it! But I realize that many people these days are facing this new adventure for the first time and are finding it challenging. At first, when I began working from home I had the feeling like I was “skipping school”. But then after some time, I realized that there is a whole other workforce that does NOT work 9-5 in an office. Once I got over the funny feeling of working my own hours I was able to focus and thrive as a self-employed person. And now I’m doing it while raising a child.

Tips:

1. Stick to a Schedule This is really important. It avoids wasting energy on the inertia of starting the project. Do the best you can if you’re working with kids in the house. Your best intentions will need to shift throughout the day.

2. Get Dressed and Ready for the Day
I do not work in my jammies. I can’t stand it. It makes me feel unmotivated and sleepy.

3. Establish a Daily Check-in
Don’t have a boss to hold you accountable? That’s OK. Find a colleague or friend who get’s it. Check-in with them and hold each other accountable. SLACK is a great APP to stay in touch with colleagues or even writer critique groups. I am in several critique groups to check-in with fellow writers and illustrators to check each other’s work.

4. Incorporate Movement Into Your Morning
Yep. This is super important. I walk my dog at least a mile every day. It is easy for me to fall into the excuse that I will go later or I don’t have time. Make the time. Cabin fever is a real thing, people.

5. Set Up Your Workspace for Success
I converted my studio door into a Dutch door so that I can keep my dog in the studio with me while still letting the air flow in and out. Check out this “how to” video for how to make a Dutch door. I have a spare bedroom set up as my studio. My dog rings her dog doorbell to tell me when she needs a break outside.

7. Use a Calendar to Plan Your Day
Personally, a calendar doesn’t have enough space to hold all my tasks. I use both a calendar and dry-erase board to l track the progress of all the different projects that I have to do. When you’re self-employed you have to switch between tasks several times a day. I use a dry erase board to have a big visual to organize all my tasks and To-Do’s. This helps me keep all my tasks in mind. The problem with WFH is it is hard to keep in that flow of getting stuff done because you are constantly being interrupted by other tasks or family members. Just expect it and embrace it. The big board helps me get right back into the frame of mind I was in with every single task. It saves me time so I don’t have to try to remember where I left off.

Organization: I give every project a “Job Number - Project Title”. I have many picture book manuscripts that I am illustrating. All the illustration files and drafts of the story go into one folder (with the same number) to keep all the files together.

8. Schedule Time for Breaks
Easier said than done, IMO. But I always take time for lunch. Even if it’s just 20 minutes.

9. Eat a Healthy Lunch
I can’t stress this enough. Don’t eat stuff that will put you into a food comma. Get your vitamins. You’ll be more productive. You’re welcome.

10. Make Time for Friends
The one thing that is making the social distancing much easier is how much our lives are already online. Imagine social distancing 30 years ago?! UGH… I know we all can’t be in the same room together right now. But reach out to your friends, they’ll be glad to talk to you.