Work-From-Home Tips for Ambitious Professionals

 Stephanie Langston shares what’s helped her stay productive, connected, visible, and balanced while working from home.

Working from home can feel like a double-edged sword. While it offers plenty of freedom, it takes real intention to find the right balance—especially when you're focused on growing your career. Over time, I’ve found a few strategies that help me stay productive, connected, and visible.

Whether you’re fully remote or splitting time between home and the office, I hope these tips help you protect your energy, stay visible, and find a rhythm that works for you.

1. Act as if you were going into an office.

A consistent routine gives structure to the day and helps me feel grounded and focused. I try to start and end my day at the same time, just like I would if I were commuting to an office. Getting ready in the morning—even if it’s just putting on real clothes and brushing my hair—signals that the workday has started and helps me shift into a professional mindset.

2. Maintain a designated workspace.

Having a workspace that I can step away from allows me to leave work behind in the evenings. Without that, it would be easy for the lines between work and home to blur. We have a gate at the top of the stairs leading to the office that we joke is for the dogs, but in reality, it’s a visual reminder that I’m done for the day. Boundaries like this can do wonders for protecting your personal and professional life.

3. Create your own commute.

Without a physical commute, I had to build new habits to transition out of work mode. You don’t realize how much even a short car ride helps you to do this. I now take the dogs for a walk, spend a few minutes outside, or simply step away from my devices for a bit. That small buffer between work and the rest of my evening makes a big difference in how I show up at home.

4. Stay connected to colleagues.

It’s easy to get caught up in your own to-do list when working remotely, but relationships are still crucial.  I regularly check in with colleagues just to see how they’re doing. I also schedule informal chats with people in other departments or roles to keep lines of communication open and make sure I’m staying visible across the organization.

5. Be intentional with in-person time. 

When I have the chance to work on-site, I make the most of it. I book face-to-face time with coworkers and make the rounds to say hello. Those quick in-person connections go a long way to keep lines of communication open and working relationships strong.

6. Make team culture a priority.

Connection looks different in a remote setting, but it is still possible. We’ve done virtual games like trivia and Pictionary, and even remote holiday parties. These little things help our team feel more human, more cohesive, and part of something bigger.

7. Engage in your local life.

It’s easy to stay in your remote bubble, but I’ve found it very energizing and fulfilling to stay involved in the local community. For me, that means dog training or meeting up with local friends for happy hour or a walk. It’s especially important in the winter when daylight is limited and it’s easier to just stay in.

Working remotely requires discipline, but it also gives you the chance to design a life that supports both your career and your wellbeing. When I set clear boundaries, maintain relationships, and prioritize activities that restore my energy, it’s easier to show up as a strong leader and stay connected to what matters — both at work and outside of it.