How to Be Productive When Working From Home
In modern society, more and more people are working from home.
With our smartphones, computers, and collaboration tools, working remotely has never been easier than it is today. You can literally work from anywhere in the world, and still stay connected with your colleagues, customers, and business partners.
Working from home sounds like a dream come true for many people. I mean, who doesn’t want to work in the comfort of their own home? Your schedule is more flexible, there are no chatty colleagues to interrupt you when you’re trying to focus on a task, not to mention all the time and money you can save on your daily commutes to the office.
As great as this may sound, in reality working from home can be very challenging. On the one hand, working remotely gives you greater freedom and allows you to be in control of your time. On the other hand, since no one is watching you and telling you what to do and when to do it, you’re fully responsible for your work performance.
It’s easy to get too comfortable and fall off track.
Whether you work from home full-time or just occasionally, do some freelancing, or work on your side hustle, staying productive is vital.
Here are some tips to help you stay productive when working from home. Let’s dive in!
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1. Set up a Dedicated Workspace
The thought of staying in bed in your PJs and working from there may be oh so tempting, but it will most definitely kill your productivity. No matter how determined to work you are, your bed is a place to rest, not a place to work. Trust me, your brain knows that too, the mental association between your bed and relaxation is pretty strong.
Working in your bed can also have a negative effect on the quality of your sleep. You may start experiencing problems with falling asleep since your brain will begin to associate your bed with work. Not to mention it’s unhygienic.
It’s best to have an allocated space for work with a proper desk and a comfortable chair, that will help you maintain good posture. Working from your favorite couch with a cup of tea and a laptop may seem comfortable at first, but will lead to a stiff neck and back pain pretty soon.
By having a dedicated workspace you will get into work mode much faster, and you’ll be more efficient during the day.
Make your workspace more efficient by adding some useful accessories. You can also add wall art to keep you inspired!
If you have very limited space, consider using the kitchen counter, or the dining room table.
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2. Get Ready for the Day
Although you are not “physically” going to work, you should still prepare for your workday. The last thing you want to do is to start on your tasks in your sleepwear, with messy hair, and unbrushed teeth. If you are dressed for bed, you won’t feel too motivated to work.
So ditch your PJs, and change into your “work” clothes. You don’t need to wear a suit at home, just something that can separate your work life from your home life. Fix your hair and freshen up, you might want to put on a little makeup to feel ready to take on the day.
Preparing for the day ahead will help you get into the work mindset and will help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
RELATED POST: How to Create a Morning Routine for a Productive Day.
3. Eliminate Distractions
Traditional workplaces are full of annoying distractions. Slamming doors, loud phone conversations, intrusive colleagues, and excessive meetings hinder your productivity and make you lose focus.
Your home, on the other hand, is full of tempting distractions. There is Netflix, social media, and your phone. There are the comfy sofa, the fridge, and the cat, who wants to be pet. How can one resist them?!
Remember, it’s important to stay professional and dedicated to your work. Although you most probably need to use the Internet for your work purposes, avoid going on social media during your working hours. Turn off all work-unrelated notifications on your devices, and put your phone out of your reach.
Interruptions from family and friends are another common distraction. Our close ones tend to assume, that if someone’s working from home, he has all the time in the world to talk on the phone, walk the dog, run errands, etc. If that’s your case, you need to set clear boundaries. Gently explain to your family, that you are busy during certain hours of the day, and you’ll be happy to help/ chat/ visit outside your working hours.
If you’re struggling with background noise that you cannot control, invest in noise-reducing headphones. Music can help you concentrate on your tasks. Songs with lyrics may distract you while you’re trying to focus, so it’s better to listen to classical or background music.
Headphones have another great benefit – they send a clear visual signal to other people at home that you’re currently busy and shouldn’t be distracted.
4. Schedule Your Working Hours
Just like in a traditional workplace, you need to schedule your working hours.
If you’re working for a company, then you’ll most probably follow your regular office hours, but if you’re self-employed, or working on a side hustle your schedule is more flexible. Still, having set working hours is vital, if you want to stay on track.
Schedule not only your working hours but also your breaks. It’s important to eat a healthy lunch, and have occasional breaks to clear your mind and allow your eyes to rest from the screen. You can take a walk to get some fresh air, have a cup of tea, do stretches, or meditate. This will positively affect your mood and overall performance.
How many breaks to take, and how often they should be, depends on your personal preferences and needs. Just be sure to keep track of time, because it’s so easy to get sidetracked from your work for too long when nobody is watching you.
For example, you can set a fixed lunchtime, and take 10-15 minute breaks, when you’re transitioning from one big task to another. Pomodoro is a popular time management technique that uses a timer to break down work into intervals separated by short breaks.
When you are working from home, the boundaries between your personal and professional life start to blur. Therefore, it is important to avoid working outside your set hours to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Otherwise, it may lead to stress and burnout.
I hope these tips will help you to stay productive when working from home.
