Working from home offers flexibility and comfort, but it can also come with its fair share of problems. With no traditional office environment to establish our work structures, it is easy to fall into the traps of distractions and lack of motivation.
Professionals are shifting to work from home culture from traditional 9 to 5 jobs. Even though remote work allows employees to maintain their own schedule, you have to stay proactive and productive to be successful.
If you are wondering ‘how to stay productive while working from home’ here are some practical tips that will help you achieve your productivity goals.
Create a Workspace
By having a specific working area, you can mentally switch into working mode. To get started, choose a quiet and comfortable place with no distractions. It need not be a room, but at least somewhere that you will be able to concentrate.
The place of work should contain tools and supplies: good lighting, the necessary chair, proper lighting, and a reliable internet connection.
Stick to a Routine
“Time management is not about being a workhorse, working longer and harder. It’s about working smarter and more strategically.” – Laurie Buchanan, PhD
A regular schedule will just make it easier to keep discipline in your life. Start your day at the same time that you would if you were going to the office. Get yourself dressed like you’re going to work; that alone will give you much psychological preparation for the day ahead.
Break down your day into reasonable parts with special tasks that you aim to complete at every period of time, and include regular breaks to avoid burnout.
Heed the Goals
When working from home, it is important to set realistic goals. Attainable day-by-day objectives could give direction and purpose to your day. Everyday in the morning, draft a to-do list of duties that need to get done.
Classify these assignments and start with the most important ones. Setting deadlines will prevent procrastination.
Put the Distractions in Check
Distractions can always be a productivity killer. Identify what’s most likely to distract you and find a way to reduce this. You might need to turn off social media notifications, set boundaries with family members, or use noise-canceling headphones.
Alternatively, consider using productivity apps that block distracting websites during work hours. This will boost your productivity and you will perform better when working from home.
Do Take Regular Breaks
Breaks should be a part of the process to let your mind and body relax and recharge. One good technique is the Pomodoro Technique; you can work for 25 minutes at a go and take a 5-minute break. Repeat, particularly when you have some intense tasks to work on.
During your breaks, you can stretch a bit or take a very short walk—rest your mind. For foods, take longer breaks to avoid being behind the desk for the entire day.
Be In Touch
Sometimes it might seem lonely working from home. Be sure to keep in touch with your colleagues through regular check-ins and virtual meetings or messaging. This will also help you know what’s going on and may help provide some social interaction.
Ideally, have a specific time to allow for collaboration with your team and brainstorming sessions.
Maintain Work-Life Balance
One of the biggest downsides of working from home would be maintaining a balance between work and personal life. Having boundaries is very important. One should finish the work at the end of the official workday and only be in the personal space.
Making a clear distinction between work time and personal time may prevent burnout and prove to be very effective in the long term.