1. Cloze (1): Set a schedule,Create a morning routineBe positiveSeparate work from lifeEngage with people.Be realistic with your expectationsEnd your day with a routine JXUwMDBiJXUwMDM2JXUwMDE1JXUwMDExJXUwMDEzJXUwMDEzJXUwMDE1JXUwMDExJXUwMDQ1JXUwMDU3JXUwMDE4JXUwMDFkJXUwMDE5JXUwMDRiJXUwMDQ2JXUwMDE0JXUwMDFkJXUwMDAyJXUwMDRkJXUwMDRjJXUwMDA1JXUwMDBmJXUwMDAz

Where you work is as important as what you work on and who you work with. If you're able to use a dedicated space or room purely for work, that is ideal. If not, even a simple curtain to block off a place of work may help you into a place of focus. The execution of this will look different depending on your home, and who all is in the domicile during your working hours, but the key is to find a space that is purely for work.

2. Cloze (2): Set a schedule,Create a morning routineBe positiveSeparate work from lifeEngage with people.Be realistic with your expectationsEnd your day with a routine JXUwMDBiJXUwMDM2JXUwMDExJXUwMDU0JXUwMDQxJXUwMDQxJXUwMDUzJXUwMDEwJXUwMDBiJXUwMDBkJXUwMDAxJXUwMDExJXUwMDE5JXUwMDA5JXUwMDQ5

and stick to it. Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps many remote workers maintain work-life balance. That said, one of the benefits of remote work is flexibility, and sometimes you need to extend your day or start early to accommodate someone else's time zone. When you do, be sure to wrap up earlier than usual or sleep in a bit the next morning to make up for it.

3. Cloze (3): Set a schedule,Create a morning routineBe positiveSeparate work from lifeEngage with people.Be realistic with your expectationsEnd your day with a routine JXUwMDFiJXUwMDMxJXUwMDE3JXUwMDA0JXUwMDE1JXUwMDExJXUwMDQ1JXUwMDQxJXUwMDQxJXUwMDRkJXUwMDAyJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFjJXUwMDA3JXUwMDA3JXUwMDA5JXUwMDQ3JXUwMDUyJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFhJXUwMDAxJXUwMDFkJXUwMDA3JXUwMDBi

What in your morning routine indicates you're about to start work? It might be making a cup of coffee,  getting dressed (wearing pajama pants to work is a perk for some, but a bad strategy for others). A routine can be more powerful than a clock at helping you get started each day.

4.  Cloze (4): Set a schedule,Create a morning routineBe positiveSeparate work from lifeEngage with people.Be realistic with your expectationsEnd your day with a routine JXUwMDFhJXUwMDI3JXUwMDQ1JXUwMDUyJXUwMDE3JXUwMDA0JXUwMDBkJXUwMDA1JXUwMDFhJXUwMDA3JXUwMDFkJXUwMDBhJXUwMDQzJXUwMDU3JXUwMDFlJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFjJXUwMDQ4JXUwMDU5JXUwMDE2JXUwMDFhJXUwMDA3JXUwMDUyJXUwMDQ1JXUwMDFkJXUwMDA4JXUwMDE1JXUwMDA2JXUwMDE3JXUwMDE1JXUwMDE1JXUwMDFkJXUwMDA2JXUwMDAxJXUwMDFk

when working from home while also supervising young children, you need to realize that your efficiency and schedule will change a little.

5. Cloze (5): Set a schedule,Create a morning routineBe positiveSeparate work from lifeEngage with people.Be realistic with your expectationsEnd your day with a routine JXUwMDBiJXUwMDM2JXUwMDE1JXUwMDExJXUwMDEzJXUwMDEzJXUwMDE1JXUwMDExJXUwMDQ1JXUwMDU3JXUwMDE4JXUwMDFkJXUwMDE5JXUwMDRiJXUwMDQ2JXUwMDE0JXUwMDFkJXUwMDAyJXUwMDRkJXUwMDRjJXUwMDA1JXUwMDBmJXUwMDAz

This is likely to be the most difficult hurdle to clear, particularly for new work-from-home employees who have family in the home around the clock. You should have a dedicated conversation with family, helping them understand that just because you're home, doesn't mean you're available. A shortcut to boundary setting is this: "If it's important enough that you'd commute to my usual office and come to my desk, then it's important enough for you to visit my home workspace."

6. Cloze (6): Set a schedule,Create a morning routineBe positiveSeparate work from lifeEngage with people.Be realistic with your expectationsEnd your day with a routine JXUwMDFkJXUwMDJiJXUwMDA5JXUwMDA2JXUwMDA2JXUwMDAyJXUwMDQ1JXUwMDU3JXUwMDFlJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFjJXUwMDQ4JXUwMDUwJXUwMDE1JXUwMDBhJXUwMDFmJXUwMDFjJXUwMDA5JXUwMDRi

It is important to maintain certain habits such as having a coffee, an informal chat with friends or meeting your family. Try out video based chats or video conferencing to chill out for a while.

7. Cloze (7): Set a schedule,Create a morning routineBe positiveSeparate work from lifeEngage with people.Be realistic with your expectationsEnd your day with a routine JXUwMDFhJXUwMDI3JXUwMDQ1JXUwMDUwJXUwMDFmJXUwMDFjJXUwMDFhJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFmJXUwMDEz

I like succinct and clear messages, but I know that the less face time I have with people, the less they know how to interpret my tone in writing. When you work remotely full-time, you must be positive, to the point where it may feel like you're being overly positive. Otherwise, you risk sounding like a jerk. It's unfortunate, but true. So embrace the exclamation point! Find your favorite emoji :D. You're going to need them.

8. Cloze (8): Set a schedule,Create a morning routineBe positiveSeparate work from lifeEngage with people.Be realistic with your expectationsEnd your day with a routine JXUwMDFkJXUwMDJiJXUwMDBhJXUwMDQ0JXUwMDU5JXUwMDE2JXUwMDFhJXUwMDA3JXUwMDUyJXUwMDQ0JXUwMDA1JXUwMDE4JXUwMDU5JXUwMDU3JXUwMDFlJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFjJXUwMDQ4JXUwMDQxJXUwMDQxJXUwMDUyJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFhJXUwMDAxJXUwMDFkJXUwMDA3JXUwMDBi

Just as you should start your day with a routine, create a habit that signals the close of the workday. It might be a sign off on a business messaging app, an evening dog walk, or a 6 p.m. yoga class. Something as simple as shutting down your computer and turning on a favorite podcast will do. Whatever you choose, do it consistently to mark the end of working hours.