Hey there, fellow work-from-home enthusiasts! Today, I'm spilling the beans on how I can be crazy productive while juggling work, kids, and even a FIFO spouse. As a seasoned remote worker as both an employee and a business owner who's navigated these waters for years, I've picked up a few tricks that keep me on track and on top of my game.

Dress for success: No PJs for me—when I get dressed (and some days, even put on makeup), I feel ready to conquer the online world. Treating this gig like a "real job" means showing up like I mean business! It's amazing how a little routine and a fresh outfit can shift your mindset from lounging to launching. I spend so much of my life at home and want to maximalise my extensive wardrobe.

2. Set regular business hours: Now that my kids are in school, I utilise those precious hours for work. Mornings are my power hours—I tackle the toughest tasks when the house is quiet. When the kids burst through the door, work time wraps up, and mum duty kicks in. It's all about finding that balance and sticking to it.

3. Utilise childcare: While my kids are old enough not to need it anymore, I swear by it for those who do. If cost is a concern, try organizing with another work-from-home mum for shared daycare days. It takes a village, right? Plus, those uninterrupted hours are golden for tackling big projects or focusing on crucial meetings without interruptions from little ones asking for snacks.

4. Create a designated workspace: Find a corner where you can shut the door and focus. It doesn't have to be fancy—a second-hand desk from Marketplace and a comfy chair will do the trick. And don't forget, it's not just about functionality; a tidy backdrop for online calls adds a professional touch. Bonus: remember, it's a tax deduction!

5. Take brain breaks: This isn’t about scrolling through social media—take time out of your day to move your eyes away from the screen. Whether it's making yourself a coffee or a quick snack, these short breaks refresh your mind and prevent burnout. Personally, I use these breaks to stay on top of household tasks too—like moving laundry from the machine to the dryer in 10-minute intervals throughout the day!

6. No meetings on a Monday: I like to be prepared for the week ahead and have the time to research my clients before their meetings. It sets a positive tone for the week and allows me to hit the ground running without feeling rushed or unprepared.

7. Ignore your inbox: Before you think OMG you're crazy, hear me out! I once took a productivity course and learned a valuable lesson: for every task you stop to reply to an email, you lose about 20 minutes trying to regain focus on what you were doing. Block out specific times to tackle your inbox and then step away, unless you're waiting for an urgent reply. I also swear by using the delay sending function at the end of my workday to prevent myself from constantly checking for responses

8. Planning is key: Use the last hour of work at the end of the week to plan your tasks for the next week. Review your calendar for future bookings and recurring deadlines. I personally like to use Microsoft Planner to build myself a plan for the month. It's a great tool for creating task lists, setting deadlines, and tracking progress—all in one place.

9. Networking: I'm an introvert (of course I am, I’m a Tax Accountant!), and I could happily stay inside my little home bubble. But what I have found is there are so many people just like you working from home and craving some human interaction. I go monthly to a co-working day with other small business owners and attend regular business events hosted by my local council. The connections I have made and the business skills I have learned from these events have been invaluable to my business.

10. Get outside for balance: Getting outside is crucial for staying balanced. It's tough to carve out "me time" amidst the chaos of work and family, but I make it a priority to start my day with a morning walk after the school drop-off at least once a week. Adding a mid-day stroll whenever possible keeps me energised and focused. I don’t beat myself up if I can’t do this every single day, but even once a week makes a world of difference in how I feel.

And finally, remember life is about balance. The reason I built my own business to work from home is to have flexibility. So, while I might be strict with my work hours, I also know that it doesn’t hurt to go out and have lunch with my partner. Or plan to finish my work week early and have a long weekend.

These tips have helped me not just survive, but thrive in the work-from-home hustle. Remember, productivity isn't about working harder, but smarter. Cheers to being AF (absolutely fabulous) at what we do! With a bit of planning and a sprinkle of determination, we can rock this remote work life like pros.