If you're not afraid of your goals, may be they are not good enough.
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F15
Touching
Data Science
07 April 2020, 21:34 GMT +3
HOME OFFICE
WITH HIGH PRODUCTIVITY
& JOY
12 + 1 tips on how the family of two can do it
The guide on how to
- Live in the one-room apartment as a couple
- Work 10-14 hours per day
- Be happy
That is it?

Almost. I am the marketer who is doing a lot of math & Data Science. My wife is a PR manager in a major bank. We both are crazy workaholics and proud of it. This is how we handle things from home without killing each other and even quite the opposite.
Energy & motivation
These tips are about how to steadily do what needs to be done. They help skip hours of procrastination and accomplish on time things that I not a big fan of. They help to avoid fast exhaustion when I do what I love, keeping the optimal pace for as long as I want.
  • 1
    Start the day from making the bed
    It can be the bed that some times we make together, or breakfast, or a short set of morning exercises. Anything that gives even a slight sense of accomplishment will do.
  • 2
    Hourly breaks
    We use fitness trackers that we wear all the time, but any alarm clock or browser plugin will do as well. The point is not to sit and not to think 10 minutes every hour.
  • 3
    Get to sleep and wake up at the same time
    It is an excellent way to have breakfast or dinner, at the same time share our plans in the morning and accomplishments in the evening. It helps to switch to "business mode" without a ride on the subway or a car. It is hard. It worth it.
  • 4
    Track activity
    Use time tracker like Timecamp to track critical activities. It helps to track and make a reasonable decision on whether I spend mine effectively. Rather than to think that everything is cool and doubt somewhere deep inside.
  • 5
    Track focus & energy
    Some times we don't realize that something eats us from inside sucking the drive away. Strict following of some healthy but not super important routine is a good indicator that everything is on the right track.
  • 6
    Sit straight
    Yep. That is it.
  • 7
    Take care of each other
    Use your hourly breaks to make tea with a cookie and to bring it to your partner without saying a word. Or some other little things that can be done without too much distraction of you both and have such a great value in the long run.
Personal boundaries
Our "business mode" boundaries are way wider than the home ones. To preserve them and care of those of partner is necessary but not as challenging as it seems:
  • 1
    If you want any attention - ask first
    There is no way to be too delicate with this matter. It is essential to explicitly agree in advance that your partner can deny. Even that you support him in denying if there is the slightest thing that keeps your partner attention
  • 2
    If you are busy - say it
    Don't try to be patient and support conversation keeping business stuff in some part of your mind at the same time. This is the best way to fail both and deal with consequences after. It is essential to set the boundaries and keep them if needed... with love.
  • 3
    Use noise-suppressing headphones
    It is a gorgeous solution and perfect external "don't disturb" indicator.
Crocodile brain diplomacy
This is the main challenge of the home office. Even when our conscious mind decides to work from nine to... (whatever is your schedule), our crocodile brain some times really don't get and sometimes takes over.
  • 1
    Rest in one place, work in other
    Don't work from the bed. Make sure the kitchen/study looks different in business and leisure hours. It can be light, chairs, music – the more the difference, the better.
  • 2
    Have more working places than working people
    It is crucial to be able to change the environment. Since a trip to mountains or to Paris is not a viable option, the coach or extra chair with a handy table for notebook and papers nearby - will do.
  • 3
    Dress formally
    Not a strings + upper half of business look for a video conference. The whole set, even shoes. It is the best way to ask the body, "this is a business baby, help me to feel and act accordingly." And the body does.
Eugene Shevchuk
From home office - with love