This post has been sponsored by Zebra Pen. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Millions of people have transitioned to work from home life and I’m happy to announce that I’m joining the party. After over 10 years in a lab setting, I have transitioned into operations and business management. This new position is fully work from home, which is a better fit for me and baby Zo, but it comes with some adjusting. Today I’m going to share how I stay inspired and productive in this new work-from-home role.

Desk Essentials
Keeping all of the essentials on my desk and ready for me is a must when it comes to staying productive. First, I make sure I have the right pen. You know what I’m talking about, that pen that you reach for before any other because it writes just the way you like and feels just right in your hand. For me, that’s the Sarasa Grand Gel Retractable Pen from Zebra Pen. With a sleek metal barrel, it looks stylish on my desk which is crucial to keeping the aesthetics of my office just right
Other essentials I make sure to have on my desk are a stylish notebook, some sticky notes, and of course, my computer. I try not to keep much on my desk except for my true essentials and maybe an occasional candle or flowers to add a finishing touch. One thing I’ve found is that what I keep off my desk is almost as important as what I keep on my desk. If there is too much clutter around me or things are out of place, then I’m more likely to get sidetracked so I try to keep it clear. If I’m feeling easily distracted, I’ll even tuck my phone away too.

Planning for Productivity
Keeping organized to stay on task is essential when working from home. I have found that writing down a weekly task sheet keeps me accountable and helps me follow through with what I need to get done. Armed with my notebook and my Sarasa Grand Gel Retractable Pen, I’ll take some time each week to write down my top 5 list as a guide to make sure I stay on task. This is key to making sure I get everything done now that I don’t have anyone around me to remind me of unfinished work

My desk supplies have to match my office aesthetics! I have been loving the Sarasa Grand Gel Retractable Pen since I started using it a few months ago. It has a stylish metal barrel that looks and feels way more luxurious than your average pen. The way it writes is exactly how you’d picture the perfect pen to write: completely smooth and it features Rapid Dry Ink Technology to eliminate smears and smudges. Check out more information here to see how you can Choose Different.
Setting Boundaries
Going from working in an office to working at home can be a little overwhelming at first when it comes to being tempted with distractions. Especially as a mom, there’s always something to do around the house. And, as a working professional, there’s always more work to do. By establishing boundaries around when I should be working and when I shouldn’t be working, I can make sure I’m not letting work creep into my life, or my life creep too much into work. I’m finding that when you work from home this is a bit harder to balance so it’s a constant work in progress.
Establishing a Morning Routine
Having a morning routine helps me set the tone for my day and sets boundaries around when I start working. In the morning I have a routine that I try to stick to each day. Things like getting ready, getting dressed even though I won’t be seeing anyone outside the house, and having a cup of coffee with a good breakfast really help me feel prepared for the day. When baby Zo wakes up, I spend a little special one-on-one time, and then it’s time to get to work.
While working from home truly has its benefits, it does have its challenges as well. By keeping this new routine and having everything I need on hand, like my Sarasa Grand Gel Retractable Pen, I’m able to stay productive and inspired while working from home.
