How do you balance your productivity and well-being when working flexibly?

Make sure you get comfortable saying no to people. It may be uncomfortable at first but it does wonders for your productivity. People will respect your time more and you will have the time and energy to focus on the things that you want to focus on. Burnout slowly creeps in when working remotely. We need to have time for the things that energize and recharge us. It may be easy to take "just" one more meeting but it isn't just one more meeting. Think of the straw that broke the camel's back. Make sure you have a sustainable routine and that's only feasible if you say no things.

Boundaries setting can be the accelerator or absolute destruction of work from home if you don't have a clear picture of what your balance needs to look like. I've been WFH for a corporate job and my own business for 12+ years - and I still struggle. The most challenging boundary to set is with those closest to you. The second most difficult is with your manager. If you are someone who has never had to set boundaries, reach out for help from a coach or counselor. Learning to set boundaries is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself in both your professional and personal life. I love what some of the other contributors say about intentionality. Remember - no is always a complete sentence.

Get a good chair. When I first started working remotely, I worked a lot. Eventually my butt started to hurt from sitting too long. It was because I had a cheap chair. I got an ergonomic chair and I never had issues again. You will be sitting a lot so your chair is really important. Also make sure you stand up up and walk around. It's good for your back. Ideally you want to walk 5 minutes every hour to counteract the negative effects of sitting for too long. No matter how comfortable your workspace is, you want to get outside. That change in scenery will do wonders for your mind.

Finding an App with a good desk workout of 4-5 minutes to do also helps immensely. One that I really like is FitOn. It has two that I regularly use. There are others out there, though.

The top things that have helped me in my home workspace are a fantastic chair, setting timers for stretch breaks, and great pens! I love good stationery and heavy paper. I'm very particular with my pens and pencils. Anything Faber-Castell and Levenger Circa/heavy paper is my go-to. I love music, and I'm constantly asking my Alexa device to play new things for me. I have a few artists I love. You can say, "Alexa, play the Fav Artist channel," It will curate music similar to the artist you love. Music puts me in a creative mood, helps block out household noises, and keeps me focused. Pens and paper may seem silly, but if you are auditory or tactile, get the things that make you happy to use and hear. It makes a huge difference.

There are so many ways to go about planning, and there is a different kind of planner for every minute of the day. I used to rebel against block time and daily planning. Now, I need it to get everything done. One thing I suggest to my clients in job search, and how I fit everything in, is to grab a weekly planner of your choosing, some colored pencils, and shade out the time you have committed to. You will quickly see how much time you have to add more things. Or, know you have already used up your time for the week. Looking at a totally shaded calendar adds perspective and makes it easier to set goals and pre-block what's important to you. I'm a proponent of taking 15 minutes at the end of the day to plan for tomorrow.

The easiest way to stay connected and engaged is to opt in on social events and opportunities more than you opt out. So many professionals opt out and lose out on an important dynamic of the working world: relational productivity. If there aren't any social events, then start small and invite someone to coffee. Track your social event activity and take stock on a monthly basis: Have a reached out to others to intentionally invest in relationships?

Understand that going for a vigorous walk is not taking time OFF work, it’s taking time ON life. You will return re-energized and ready to finish that project (more effectively than if you had tried to power through it) . - Sam Horn, author of Conzentrate

In our quest to balance productivity and well-being, we often overlook the subtle dance between the two. Instead of perceiving them as opposing forces, envision them as interconnected rhythms that harmonize in a unique flowtivity. Imagine your work as a captivating melody and your well-being as the dance partner. Flexibility allows you to choreograph this intricate routine. Embrace the idea that true productivity isn't solely measured by the hours clocked, but by the quality and impact of your output. To cultivate this dance, start by understanding your personal rhythm. Some individuals find solace in early morning serenades, while others thrive under the moon's gentle sway. Discover your rhythm and dance accordingly.

Saving commute time is a fantastic bonus of WFH. It's a lot of found hours, but obviously, not all of them go back to the company! One app I love is Calm for Meditation and mental health check-ins. They have stretch breaks and walking meditations. Almost everything is less than 10 minutes. I'm enjoying a series of mediations/stories by LeBron James about performance, focus, and excellence. I also like Sensa for stress and procrastination support. I use the app to journal in the morning, and it has provided excellent clarity and focus habit setting. No matter what tools and support you need to focus on your physical and mental health, you can benefit greatly from a 10 - 20 minute focused break. Don't feel guilty! There is only one you.

One of the most impactful things for an Entrepreneurial Spirited business owner to do is to prioritize your wellbeing. When you are naturally inclined to solve problems and make a difference wherever you are, making sure that you are of SOUND Mind, Body, Spirit,Soul and Money will allow for you to be wildly productive with intentionality!