As someone who has worked from home for the last 6 years, I feel like I know what it takes to stay motivated and get things done. People ask me all the time if there are certain essentials I use when working from home, so I figured I would share them! These are the 7 things you need if you work from home. Some of these are physical items and some are not but they are all necessary!
7 Things You Need If You Work From Home
Google Everything: I don’t mean in the research sense, I mean everything I use is Google. I blame my husband. Google Photos, Gmail, Google Keep, Google Calendar, Google Drive, I use it all! It’s how I keep everything organized from my blog finances, to my content calendar, blog photos, etc. I can also access it from anywhere on any device.
Chargers: I have 10ft chargers in nearly every room of our house (including Liam’s nursery). I also have this giant charger that I can carry around if we are playing on the floor or even if I’m drying my hair while he naps and I need to charge my phone. This charger is also perfect for travel!
Dropbox: I do not know how people function without Dropbox. I keep files I need to get to a lot in there so I can easily attach them to emails. My media kit, current analytics screenshot, etc. I also keep my W9 and other important forms in mine.
Good Technology: Having a good laptop, iPad, the right camera, lighting equipment, etc is VERY important. It’s also a very personal preference but just make sure you have good technology for any kind of work from home job, especially blogging.
The Right Space: Not everyone works great in a cube. I personally never did. I like being at home where I can work from my office, the couch, my bed if I’m sick, even the playroom floor while I play with Liam. I feel like the flexibility is endless. Some days when I have help (more on that below) I work from Starbucks or other coffee shops. Whatever it is, find the RIGHT SPACE for you!
The Right Help: I am terrible at delegating. I always want to do everything myself. But, especially when I was pregnant and having Liam I have discovered that everyone needs some kind of help. Andrew helps me with a lot of the back end and behind the scenes blog work that’s a HUGE help. I have someone who watches Liam for me 12-15 hours a week so I can get work done, go to meetings, have conference calls, etc. You have to ask for help when you need it. Remember you can’t do it all.
A Good Schedule: Working for yourself has a lot of pros and one of them is making your own schedule. Before I had Liam I would usually work in the morning early and do personal things from 9-12 then work the rest of the day. Now with Liam my schedule changes almost every day. If he doesn’t take a good nap I have to rely on getting most of my work done once Andrew gets home and after Liam goes to sleep. I try to stick to a schedule as much as possible. I highly suggest if you are able to have a good schedule of blocked out work and personal time.
These are all things that really help me work from home well.
Do you work from home? What kinds of things do you find helpful?
I’m torn between having everything on Google versus having everything on my iCloud. It’s always a difficult battle, I have half and half stored! Gotta convert to one either way! 🍃
And yes, a good schedule is always important! Need to keep ourselves accountable! 🙂
I work from home 8:30-5 five days a week and have for over two years now. I go crazy sometimes being in the house so much so I picked up a productive hobby and outlet (the gym).
I don’t work at home exclusively, but I do often have to bring my work home with me–definitely agreed on all of these! Chargers + my schedule/Google and maintaining my schedule are my life! :p
This is great advice! I’ve recently started a blog, and am a stay at home mom. I’ve been working off a desktop and it’s been really rough because my time is severely limited. Can’t wait until my new lap top arrives. Flexibility is key to working from home.
These are all such great tips. I agree with the technology point. I’ve worked at places where the tech is just so outdated that it makes working difficult since it either needs to be restarted or there is some software issue because it needs an update!
I totally agree on a good schedule. When I worked from home I would have certain times I had to get up and be dressed by or times I needed to go out and get fresh air, otherwise I would stay in all day in my pjs.
These are great! I’m so bad about having a schedule and accepting help watching my toddler. I always feel like I’m going to “miss” something if I’m not there… a new word, a new activity, etc. but having the second on the way? I’m definitely going to need to get better at those 2!
Great tips! I have everything back up to 3 spots. lol My external hard drive, google drive and dropbox. Had an issue once when my laptop harddrive went and lost everything.
I totally understand about working with a baby. My 15 month old sometimes decided he doesn’t want to nap. I usually just end up working with my laptop at the table if I have to and him playing around me or he’ll come sit on my lap.
I’ve started using a planner to get on a good schedule. It’s really benefiting my toddler and me. I’m doing a blog, 9-5, and full-time mommy, so this is a helpful list for me!
I recently started working from home, so I have a bit of an addiction to reading advice on how to do it right! Loved this post. I’m still trying to work out the right routine.
These are all great tips! Having a well-organized schedule is essential for me between working 9-5, having a couple side hustles, running and hiking, and still having some semblance of a social life! I think the only other thing I’d add to this list of “must haves” is coffee 😉
I’ve been working from home for almost a year and having the right space and sticking to a schedule is key for me! I try really hard to stick to 9-5 work hours so that work doesn’t take over my entire life. Having a designated office is really important for me as well to get into “work mode”.
Great tips but I think the most important is a well organized schedule which I do have. I love working from home as I do not have to worry about walkers for Layla plus travel.
I do not work from home, but I’ve applied for remote jobs before so these tips all sound like great ones!! Plus, I went to graduate school in a completely remote setting so things like good technology, etc. work for that too.
I love your list. I still use a paper calendar to keep myself organized, and couldn’t function without it. I love that you’ve listed Google everything. I certainly don’t know what I’d do without my tech!
Dropbox is one of my favorite things! I also Google everything! Great list! Seems like you have working from home completely under control! Thank you for sharing.
My favorite on the list is def The Right Space. I get so distracted if I bring my computer anywhere so I have to make sure I work in my office. I love these tips!
A schedule is really important, I couldn’t live without my planners and the schedule. I use Dropbox too and it’s a really great place for storing all the necessary files.
Yes to all of this! I don’t think I could get through a work day at home without Dropbox, Google Calendar, my multiple 10ft phone cables and my Anker charger.
I really appreciate the info you have in this post! It’s all so important and true. I am also a fan of google. so much so , i finally made the switch from iPhone to my Google Pixel XL. It has made ALL THE DIFFERENCE. I find the hardest part about working from home, for yourself, is sticking to a schedule. it seems all too easy to get distracted with housework, loved ones, & other things to get done. So blocking worktime and housework time… its SO IMPORTANT. Thanks for the reminder, girlfriend!
I so agree with finding the right space! I have my desk in my office, but that room doesn’t get a lot of natural light. So, I work in my kitchen where there’s a ton of natural light and great views — it energizes me.
The other thing I can’t live without is my Erin Condren Life Planner — it’s a lifesaver!
I’m torn between having everything on Google versus having everything on my iCloud. It’s always a difficult battle, I have half and half stored! Gotta convert to one either way! 🍃
And yes, a good schedule is always important! Need to keep ourselves accountable! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
A schedule is such an important one!! I feel like since I am my own “boss” I forgot to schedule my day and balance work from family time.
Having good technology is not only a necessity but a passion for me. As my dad always said “You can do anything if you have the right tools!”
I work from home 8:30-5 five days a week and have for over two years now. I go crazy sometimes being in the house so much so I picked up a productive hobby and outlet (the gym).
I don’t work at home exclusively, but I do often have to bring my work home with me–definitely agreed on all of these! Chargers + my schedule/Google and maintaining my schedule are my life! :p
This is great advice! I’ve recently started a blog, and am a stay at home mom. I’ve been working off a desktop and it’s been really rough because my time is severely limited. Can’t wait until my new lap top arrives. Flexibility is key to working from home.
Google Everything is a must for me. I have found that Google is much easier and more reliable than iCloud, even though I’m an avid iPhone user.
Love your tips about a schedule, sometimes that’s the hardest part for me!
These are all such great tips. I agree with the technology point. I’ve worked at places where the tech is just so outdated that it makes working difficult since it either needs to be restarted or there is some software issue because it needs an update!
I totally agree on a good schedule. When I worked from home I would have certain times I had to get up and be dressed by or times I needed to go out and get fresh air, otherwise I would stay in all day in my pjs.
I don’t use dropbox how is it different than google drive?
These are great! I’m so bad about having a schedule and accepting help watching my toddler. I always feel like I’m going to “miss” something if I’m not there… a new word, a new activity, etc. but having the second on the way? I’m definitely going to need to get better at those 2!
Good read!! Thank you 😊
I am retired but I still need to work on getting a schedule. Right now I just do things as they pop up.
Great tips! I have everything back up to 3 spots. lol My external hard drive, google drive and dropbox. Had an issue once when my laptop harddrive went and lost everything.
I totally understand about working with a baby. My 15 month old sometimes decided he doesn’t want to nap. I usually just end up working with my laptop at the table if I have to and him playing around me or he’ll come sit on my lap.
I have worked at home for 4+ years now! These are awesome tips!
Sigh. I would love to work from home. Although I feel like my dogs would be a HUGE distraction!
Great list! Working from home is a gift, but we have to find ways to stay on point, or it just won’t work!
Good read! I was so bad at managing my time when I worked from home. Good advice!
I’ve started using a planner to get on a good schedule. It’s really benefiting my toddler and me. I’m doing a blog, 9-5, and full-time mommy, so this is a helpful list for me!
I recently started working from home, so I have a bit of an addiction to reading advice on how to do it right! Loved this post. I’m still trying to work out the right routine.
-Sam
lattes-andlonglines.com
These are great tips, I totally agree about having a schedule, it’s the only way I get things done when I time block certain tasks!
These are all great tips! Having a well-organized schedule is essential for me between working 9-5, having a couple side hustles, running and hiking, and still having some semblance of a social life! I think the only other thing I’d add to this list of “must haves” is coffee 😉
Thanks for the great tips! For me, a right space and schedule is essential. I like to work in my own space – it’s where I could be in my zone.
I just started scheduling. Much needed. I also added on a dry eraser board that helps me with my thought vomit. lmao thankj you for the post!
I’ve been working from home for almost a year and having the right space and sticking to a schedule is key for me! I try really hard to stick to 9-5 work hours so that work doesn’t take over my entire life. Having a designated office is really important for me as well to get into “work mode”.
The schedule is my struggle right now because I have an infant along with 2 older kids. Their schedules don’t leave much room for mine. 🙂
Great tips but I think the most important is a well organized schedule which I do have. I love working from home as I do not have to worry about walkers for Layla plus travel.
These are all great tips! I use google and outlook and can’t live without either one of them.
i dont work from home but i could see how all these things can be very resourceful.
Yes to everything Google!
I work from home and find schedule is key! Planning my meals, cleaning up regularly & tackling any distractions so that I can’t make any excuses.
I do not work from home, but I’ve applied for remote jobs before so these tips all sound like great ones!! Plus, I went to graduate school in a completely remote setting so things like good technology, etc. work for that too.
-Lauren
I totally agree with this list…I have 10 foot chargers allllll over our house too…and I might add a good arsenal of coffee to my list haha.
I do love the days when coffee shops are my office!
Yes!!! Great list! I work from home and would be lost without my chargers! Everything neeeds charging. I would be lost without them
I have been working from home for over 4 years now but only recently started trusting Google enough to store my files on their server. Baby steps 😀
I have been working from home for over 4 years now but only recently started trusting Google enough to store my files on their server. Baby steps 😀
I love your list. I still use a paper calendar to keep myself organized, and couldn’t function without it. I love that you’ve listed Google everything. I certainly don’t know what I’d do without my tech!
Dropbox is one of my favorite things! I also Google everything! Great list! Seems like you have working from home completely under control! Thank you for sharing.
My favorite on the list is def The Right Space. I get so distracted if I bring my computer anywhere so I have to make sure I work in my office. I love these tips!
Im starting to do some work from home and this is very helpful. I definitely need more chargers!
A schedule is really important, I couldn’t live without my planners and the schedule. I use Dropbox too and it’s a really great place for storing all the necessary files.
I totally agree!! A good schedule is so important!
I work from home a few days a week and for me a good schedule is definitely key! And seriously, how does anyone live without dropbox?!
Yes to all of this! I don’t think I could get through a work day at home without Dropbox, Google Calendar, my multiple 10ft phone cables and my Anker charger.
I work from home as well and these are some great tips!
I really appreciate the info you have in this post! It’s all so important and true. I am also a fan of google. so much so , i finally made the switch from iPhone to my Google Pixel XL. It has made ALL THE DIFFERENCE. I find the hardest part about working from home, for yourself, is sticking to a schedule. it seems all too easy to get distracted with housework, loved ones, & other things to get done. So blocking worktime and housework time… its SO IMPORTANT. Thanks for the reminder, girlfriend!
I so agree with finding the right space! I have my desk in my office, but that room doesn’t get a lot of natural light. So, I work in my kitchen where there’s a ton of natural light and great views — it energizes me.
The other thing I can’t live without is my Erin Condren Life Planner — it’s a lifesaver!