For many people, the COVID shutdown has provided a free sample of what it’s like to work from home. While most Americans are enjoying the benefits (no commute, easier home life), there are also problems and pitfalls. The biggest issue: how to stay productive while working from home?

It can be tempting to take a nap between meetings, engage in household chores when you should be working, or just stream all day. After all, you’re in the comfort of your own home.

Well, here are 5 tips to keep you sane and productive while working from home, courtesy of someone who has been working remotely for years. 

Groom Yourself

Some people already do this at the beginning of every day in order to ground themselves and establish the results they want to deliver before they go home.

But if you don’t, it can be a big help when working remotely.

One of the challenges of not being in the office is isolation.

It’s easy to feel lost and directionless, to spend precious hours wondering what to do, where to go, who to talk to. And, of course, you will experience delays as you wait for superiors to message or call you back and approve whatever it is you’re doing.

If you have a to-do list, you will never feel lost or without purpose.

There’s always something productive you can be doing.