#WFH? - Advice from someone that has been WFH for over 15 years

Here we are, folks. We are at an unprecedented time in history. Take a deep breath because, as the saying goes - this too shall pass.

I've been working from home for as long as I can remember, and it wasn't always easy. Here are my top tips so that you can kick ass while working from home. 

DISCIPLINE. There are no ways around this. You are working, not hanging out in the kitchen, cooking, cleaning, paying bills, playing games. Work.

Use your CALENDAR and stick to it.

• What I use - I use whatever my clients use. Currently, that is Outlook. Mobile and Desktop.  
• What I do - Schedule everything, in fact, schedule more than you usually do. Every meeting, lunch, break, winding down, end of the day, etc.

Create a MINIMAL workspace

• What I have - sit/stand desk, comfortable chair, MacBook Pro, Bose noise-canceling headset, large screen monitor, phone dock, note pad, favorite pen, coaster for my coffee, desk light. That's it, nothing else. No distractions.
• Your bills and personal stuff need to be somewhere else.  
• Side note - buy the fastest internet that you can afford.

Create a ROUTINE

• What I do - I wake up at 4:25 AM, walk my dogs, brew my coffee, and start work before 6:00 AM every single workday. By the way, my weekend is not far off from this.
• Get dressed - working in your pajamas is complete and utter BS (if you ask me). I look the part, and hence, I act the part. Don't fool yourself.
• My work calendar starts at 6:00 AM - I do whatever it is I'm supposed to do at 6:00 AM. I don't do the dishes, pay my bills, look at personal emails, and so on. I work when I'm supposed to work that way I can play when I'm supposed to play.
• Schedule your lunch - if you are accustomed to eating lunch at noon, then you do this even when you are WFH.
• End your day when you're supposed to end your day. I stop when I'm supposed to stop. For me, it's easy as my dogs remind me that it's time for their walk.

Create RULES

• Make sure your family knows that you are working. Just because you are home doesn't mean that your spouse and kids get to hang out with you.  
• When your day is over - your day is over. Resist the temptation to continue working. We all have crunch time, and these days are the exception, not the rule.

MINDSET

• My biggest fear is that my clients and coworkers do not realize how hard I'm working for them, day in and day out. They don't see me at my desk. They only see my results. Work your ass off as if your life and family depend on it. Be honest and be true. You are smarter than you think you are, and when you cheat, your subconscious knows this. Everything comes out in the wash.
• Working hard is one thing, but don't forget to work smart.

A Strong BODY is a Strong MIND

• You need to EXERCISE. What I do - Walk, Peloton App for cardio, bodyweight exercises, compound weight-bearing exercises. I like to track my work because you can't improve what you don't record.
• SLEEP - I cannot stress this enough. Eat dinner at the same time every evening. Create a wind-down routine for you and your pets. Especially today, with a virus that has the potential to change everything. Your immune system needs to be at its tip-top shape. I'm not a sleep expert, 6-8 hours a night is a must for me.

You are in CONTROL - stop worrying about things out of your control. Be vigilant, and never live in FEAR. You have control of your mind and thoughts. Limit exposure to social media and news. Don't forget that social media's purpose is for you to waste time. The news, and by extension, social media, tend to breed fear. In summary - you can't kick ass if you're fucking scared. Control your thoughts, your actions, and your health.