My dogs can’t read a clock, but they know exactly when I’m about to leave the house.
The moment they hear my purse strap slide over my shoulder and the jingle of my keys, they trot ahead of me to the garage door. There, they sit patiently for their goodbye treats — a little ritual that says, “We love you, we’ll miss you, and we’ll be OK while you’re gone.”
It’s not just about the treats (though let’s be honest, they’re very invested in the treats). It’s about the predictable, repeated action that helps them transition from “Michele is here” to “Michele is gone” without stress.
That’s the magic of an anchor routine — a small, repeatable ritual that cues your mind and body to shift gears, whether you’re starting, stopping, or transitioning in your day.
Why Anchor Routines Matter — Especially When Life Feels Loud
When you’re working from home, your day doesn’t have the built-in cues of a commute, an office door, or coworkers packing up for the day.
Add in seasonal shifts, personal life demands, or a busy business season, and it can feel like you’re juggling twelve plates while balancing on a wobbly stool.
Routines — especially anchor routines — become your stabilizers. They don’t just help you get things done. They tell your brain:
“This is what we do now. You can stop wondering and start doing.”
My Nightly Grounding Routine
Here’s another personal example …
Before bed, I wash my feet.
In summer, when flip-flops and barefoot walks on warm patios and pool decks are part of daily life, it’s a practical habit. But it’s also a signal to my body that the day is done, and it’s time to wind down.
The scent of the soap, the feel of cool water, the act of drying off and slipping into bed — all of it tells my nervous system, “You’re safe. You can rest now.”
That’s the point of an anchor routine. It’s not just about productivity. It’s about peace.
7 WFH Anchor Routines That Can Ground You
Here are seven ideas to help you stay steady and focused when everything around you feels chaotic:
1. Morning Start-Up Ritual
- Before opening email, set your 3 top priorities for the day.
- Pair it with a cup of coffee or tea to make it a sensory habit.
2. Desk Reset at Day’s End
- Clear your desk, close your laptop, and jot down tomorrow’s first task.
- This creates a visual “workday is done” signal.
3. Focused AM Work Block
- Protect one uninterrupted 60–90 minute block each morning for deep work.
- This can be writing, strategy, or anything that moves the needle.
4. Post-Lunch Energy Boost
- Instead of sliding into a midday slump, take a 10-minute walk, stretch, or do breathing exercises.
- This recharges both your brain and your body.
5. Weekly Calendar Cleanup
- Every Friday afternoon, cancel or reschedule non-essential meetings and block out focus time for the week ahead.
6. Transition Cue Between Work and Home Mode
- Change clothes, light a candle, or take a short walk to mark the shift from “on the clock” to “off the clock.”
7. Sunday Evening Prep Session
- Review the week ahead, set intentions, and make sure your workspace is ready for Monday morning.
The Key to Sustainability: Keep It Small and Consistent
The most effective anchor routines are simple, specific, and doable no matter how busy or distracted you feel.
They’re not grand gestures. They’re quiet, steady cues that help you glide from one part of your day to the next without losing momentum — or losing yourself in the chaos.
Action Step
Pick one anchor routine from the list above — or create your own — and commit to it daily for the next two weeks. Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for presence. Let it be the steady rope you can hold onto when life gets loud.
Need a tool to help you figure out where to start? This month’s Mini Power Tool for my Tenacious WFH Insiders and VIPs — the WFH Systems Check Checklist — is designed to help you spot the areas most in need of realignment and grounding.
Become part of the Tenacious WFH tribe and grab it here if you haven’t already.