Creating a work-at-home schedule that works for you

According to Forbes, 74% of professionals believe that working at home will become standard. For people who don’t drive to the office every day, keeping a regular, productive work-at-home schedule is extremely important. It’s easy to get distracted by a text from a friend or relative, an affectionate pet, or the urge for a snack. A work-at-home schedule, also called a productivity plan, can help you stay focused and avoid getting behind on important tasks. Here’s some more information about work-at-home schedules, including how to create a productive schedule and tips for making working from home easier and less stressful.

What is a work-at-home schedule?

A work-at-home schedule is a list, outline, or summary of all the tasks you want to finish in a day. In a professional setting, like an office, people usually work when managers assign shifts or during standard business hours. When you work from home, you often have much more flexibility. However, according to Pew Research Center, about one-third of people find getting work done without interruptions difficult.

With a work-at-home schedule, you can manage your time, maintain your productivity, and concentrate fully on each assignment you complete. The schedule can tell you when to start working on each task, helping you meet your managers’ or clients’ daily expectations.

Your work-at-home schedule can start when you wake up in the morning or when you start work, and it can include meetings, tasks, training sessions, breaks, and other activities. Most people list the time they want to start a task and the name of the assignment. Planning ahead lets you design a workday that fits your lifestyle. You can schedule your work around personal activities like doctor visits or picking up children from school or day care, making your day feel less hectic and letting you avoid the need to tell your boss why your work was late or substandard.

How to create a work-at-home schedule

Creating a work-at-home schedule can help you excel at your job. It can increase your work efficiency and let you spend more time relaxing. To structure a work-at-home schedule that helps you become more productive, follow these steps:

Decide when you want to work

Many different types of work-from-home jobs exist. Consider your job requirements and when your managers need you to be available. Many businesses require people who work from home to attend regular meetings through Zoom or other types of virtual calling. You might need to show up at the office one or two days per week as well.

It’s also a good idea to think about when you’re usually most alert. Some people do their best work right after starting their day, and others appreciate the calm, quiet environment a late night can provide. Schedule your most challenging tasks for the times when you typically feel more focused. At times when you’re feeling tired, take care of easier assignments.

Once you’ve decided on a good time frame for your schedule, write the time you want to start work at the top of the page and the time you want to be off for the day at the bottom.

“Creating a work-at-home schedule can help you excel at your job. It can increase your work efficiency and let you spend more time relaxing.”

Give names to work tasks that help motivate you

Along with guiding your day’s direction, naming your tasks can remind you of your goals and the potential rewards of meeting them. It also helps to be specific when naming the tasks to ensure you remember the important details. For example, instead of writing “complete report,” you could write “complete sales report and award bonuses to all the great people who deserve it.” You could even list the names of the best salespeople.

Use regular work intervals

The number of intervals or periods you use to divide your day depends on the number of tasks you want to finish and the difficulty of those tasks. It’s a good idea to use regular intervals with short breaks between them. If needed, you can devote two periods of time to a task.

For example, someone who usually works in one-hour segments with a five- or 10-minute break between each one could devote two hours to the tasks that require additional time while continuing to take hourly breaks. Many people find transitioning to different activities at the start of every hour easiest, but the length of intervals, how many intervals you usually need each day, and when they begin can fluctuate.

Record your schedule

Recording your work-at-home schedule in a digital or physical document can make it much easier to remember. You can create a schedule for each day of the week and then save them on your computer or, if you write them on paper, place them in your desk drawer. Emphasize more urgent tasks by using custom colors or a highlighter. You can also check off the items on your schedule as you complete them and readjust your schedule if there are any unexpected changes.

Some people record work-at-home schedules on their phones and request alerts when deadlines are close. Others use whiteboards or attach printed lists of tasks to the walls near their workspaces.

Tips for making working from home easier

Here are some tips to help you be more successful while working from home:

Be realistic

No matter how much you excel at work or how devoted you are to meeting deadlines, you’re likely to encounter occasional problems. An assignment could have unclear or incorrect instructions, or you could experience a family emergency that keeps you from completing a task on time. Plan to finish most of your work at least a few hours before the deadline. When possible, turn things in a day early. That way, you can avoid falling behind if something keeps you from following your work-at-home schedule.

Design a workspace

Doing your work in the same place every day allows you to focus on work when you start your day. Moving away from that space can help you relax and spend time with your family members after work without thinking about your next project until the following workday. Select a quiet space with few distractions and all the amenities you need. If other family members also spend time at home during the day, consider using a “do not disturb” sign or asking people to be quiet and try not to interrupt you during your work hours.

Schedule some time for exercise

Staying at the same desk all day can make you feel sleepy or sluggish, and regular exercise is essential for your health. To help you feel healthier, focused, and alert, reserve some time in your work-at-home schedule to take a walk, play with your pet, practice yoga, or try other forms of exercise every day. You can also get moving by taking care of household tasks, like gardening or washing your car.

Get dressed every day

You may not need to see anyone while working from home, but staying in your pajamas the entire day can make you feel like going back to bed instead of doing a great job on your next project. You don’t have to wear what you normally would in the office, but it’s a good idea to choose comfortable clothes that would be acceptable to co-workers in online conferences or meetings.

Working from home can be challenging at first for many people, but it’s also an excellent way to avoid long commutes and make working less stressful. The right work-at-home schedule can help you become more productive and successful. At CareerBuilder, you can browse many available jobs, including work-from-home positions, and get email alerts when jobs that suit you become available.

Learn more about working from home:

Discover the most common remote jobs in this list of jobs you can do from home.

Working from home gives you more time to improve your skills. 

Consider some of the top reasons for working from home. 

Many people earn a good salary by working from home in customer service.