Cut yourself some slack. Making the transition from the traditional nine-to-five work grind to working from home is challenging. You are now independent and you set your hours to complete tasks that range in different shapes and sizes.

At first, this might seem daunting since your former boss probably had some say in your schedule during the weekday. However, things could be a lot worse, you know – at least you are no longer in one of those boring cubicles that seem to suck the living life out of you. Look on the bright side. If you want to be successful at working from home, consider these three helpful tips below. Keep reading to find out how you can create a winning everyday routine. 

Follow Set Hours

Maintaining regular hours plays a critical role when working from home. Sticking to to a schedule can determine whether or not you succeed. Black professionals can use apps like Google Calendar to stay on schedule. 

Additionally, creating a schedule allows you to set aside blocks of time when you will be 100 percent committed to getting work done during those blocked-off times. After all, proper planning prevents poor performance. 

Create a Morning Routine 

Set yourself off to a nice head start by accomplishing small wins in the morning. Meditating, exercising, and reading for at least 30 minutes apiece before you begin working from home can put you in a good space to get some work done. You’ll feel energized and ready to have a productive day while being in the convenience of your home. 

Self-Care is Key

Going to bed earlier may seem self-evident, but you might be surprised to learn how not getting enough hours of sleep can be detrimental to your overall well-being. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, “getting less than seven hours of sleep a night” regularly “has been linked with poor health, including weight gain, having a body mass index of 30 or higher, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and depression.”

Getting between seven to nine hours of sleep each day is sufficient for adults, so black professionals should keep the mentioned recommended times above in mind. 

What's more, building breaks into your schedule at specific times, staying hydrated, eating a real lunch, and setting a workout time to reset and refresh can all help you stay productive, happy, and healthy while working from home. 

In Summary

In conclusion, ditching the traditional nine-to-five work grind that drags you down for working from home is more than just a liberating feeling. It also means that you are choosing yourself and your mental health first: Use the tips above to help you succeed at just that.