Mindset
Making the Most of Your Home Office
“Home is where the heart is . . .“
– Unknown
If you’re like a lot of people post-pandemic, your place of work has shifted. Maybe you used to commute daily to a corporate office, and now you find yourself working from a desk tucked into a spare room. Or perhaps, like me, you’ve been living this reality for years.
Over the past decade, I’ve moved from coaching on the floor of training facilities and working hands-on with teams, to teaching and mentoring people online. Along the way, my office became my home—and that brought both benefits and challenges.
The Upside
The most obvious perk: no commute. Back when I worked in New York with the Rangers, I once calculated that I spent 36 days a year in my car. Imagine what you could do with that time back!
Working from home also means I can connect with my family more easily. My days flow without the abrupt transitions between “work” and “life.” There’s a certain rhythm to it, and often, that feels good.
The Challenge
But that same rhythm can be slippery. Without the structure of an office—the arrivals, schedules, and meetings that anchor a day—it’s up to me to create the framework. Left unchecked, time slips away like water leaking from a cracked cup, lost forever.
That’s why intentionality matters.
My Secret Weapon: The Porch Office
From April through November, I set up shop on my back porch. The view is all forest and green, with fresh air filling my lungs all day long. It keeps me grounded, energized, and aligned with my work.
And the science backs it up: exposure to natural light supports circadian rhythm, improves sleep, boosts energy, and strengthens immune health. Add fresh air and a daily dose of nature, and it’s a recipe for better well-being.
Don’t have a backyard or porch? No problem. In today’s hyper-connected world, you can take your laptop almost anywhere—parks, street cafés, even a bench by the water. Surround yourself with life and movement, and let the environment fuel your productivity.
Movement Matters
Flexibility is another gift of working from home. I make it a point to walk a kilometer every day, and I often add a bike ride or hike for cardiovascular demand. A resistance workout rounds it all out. These breaks not only recharge my body but sharpen my focus when I return to the desk.
Build Your Framework
Pair movement and environment with a clear, intentional daily agenda—including time for family and friends—and suddenly the clutter of “work” feels lighter. Life opens up.
It’s no wonder so many companies are struggling to bring employees back into corporate offices. For many, the balance and freedom of home simply feels better.
Of course, not everyone thrives in this setup. Some people let the hours slip by, their health suffering as they stay chained to the desk. The opportunity isn’t in just being at home—it’s in how you use the home office.
Bring nature, movement, and intentional structure into your day, and your home office will become something more than a workspace. It will become a place where the heart is.
