Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, working at home is almost the new normal for many people. However, switching from working in a structured office to your home can be a challenge. At home, you’ll have plenty of distractions, pending chores, and maybe even fussy relatives or roommates. You’ll find it hard to focus, too, so here are 21 ways to boost your work-from-home productivity:
Plan your workflow.
Know what you need to do work-wise for at least a week. By doing this, you’ll be able to set priorities to tasks, know how much time to devote to each task, and have estimates of the hours you need to use for work.
Always plan out what you’ll be working on ahead of time. Write a rough sketch of your week’s workflow in a notebook or your phone’s calendar and then detailed to-do lists of a day’s workflow every night. Outlining your week will keep you on track. Writing each day’s tasks the night before you’re supposed to do them will save you time the next day.
Create a regular schedule for yourself.
It might be tempting to give yourself the flexibility as to when you get started, take breaks, or call it a day, but make sure to keep regular work hours. When you make your schedule consistent, it keeps you accountable to yourself and to your boss. Besides that, you’re more likely to get all your work done.
It’s easy to become very relaxed when working from home, so set a schedule for when you want to work, sleep, have a break, or exercise to help reinforce clear boundaries when you are on and off the clock.
Get started early.
The earlier you start your workday, the earlier you'll finish. It's also easier to force yourself to work without thinking as much when you've recently woken up. This will reduce your chances of procrastinating and stalling on some tasks.
This is also why it’s important that you already have a to-do list ready to follow once you wake up. That way, you really won’t have an excuse to not get started on working.
Dress like you’re at work.
Get out of your sleepwear and dress for success. A t-shirt and sweatpants might be comfortable, but it may also make you feel sluggish and unmotivated. So, shower, brush your teeth and do all the things you'll normally do when you're working.
Create an at-home office.
If you're working in a non-traditional work environment, consider your work efficiency. It can be tempting to work from your couch, chair, or bed, but always follow ergonomic rules. Place your computer screen, keyboard, and mouse in an ergonomic position.
Your working space should be comfortable but should also remind you that you’re at work. Always strive to work from a desk, comfortable chair, and a consistent room. This way, your brain will associate your desk with working and your bed with sleeping.
Have quality technology.
Slow internet or an outdated system can get frustrating. Good internet connectivity is the lifeline that people working remotely depend on. If your company is reimbursing you or even when they aren’t – save yourself from stress and get the best internet service and computer system that you can afford.
Break up the day.
Be sure to take the time to stand up, get some fresh air, or grab a bite to eat during breaks. Not only will these get your blood flowing but also help you reset, so you’re ready to tackle your next tasks.
Set boundaries if you’re not living alone.
Encourage family members, pets, or kids to leave you alone while you’re working so you can stay focused. You can make a sign for the door that indicates whether you’re working or not. Working from home simply means that: working from home, so gently remind your family members that even if you’re home, you’re still working.
Separate personal and work time.
When it’s time for family, don’t do anything work-related. Limit family interactions during work hours and act as if you’re in the office instead of at home since you’re still technically at work.
Turn down the noise.
Put down the phone and turn off your podcast volume when you’re working. Moreover, clear your mind by taking time away from the media. They’re unnecessary distractions that’ll fill your mind with unnecessary thoughts and slow your productivity.
Get organized.
Always keep some semblance of order in your desk and working space. Strive to make it look similar to your office space, so it doesn't cause you distractions.
Limit distractions.
Many factors can distract you. Birds may chirp outside, dogs may bark, your pets may try to get your attention, kids may scream every now and then, and other people may have conversations loud enough to draw your attention to it. Use headphones to drown out these background noises.
Make it difficult for you to open your social media.
Remove social media from your browser shortcuts so it won’t be easy for you to open and browse quickly. Doing this will lessen the urge to visit social media sites throughout the day and allow you to focus more on working.
Interact with people.
Humans are sociable creatures, and seeing other people makes them feel good and comforted. So, even while working from home, strive to have a conversation or two with others during your break time. You can do this by looking for your family members around the house or via facetime.
Look for inspiration.
Some people work better in silence, but others prefer to have music in the background. Experiment with what works best for you, or vary your work themes until you find your rhythm.
Make use of technology to stay connected.
Check in with coworkers using instant messaging and videoconferencing tools. These tools help remove distance as a barrier between team members and alleviates the feeling of loneliness some people may feel while working.
Stand while you work.
Working at home doesn’t mean sitting all day. You have the freedom to walk around and stand while you work if you need more focus. Standing while working will give you variety and remind you to focus on your current task.
Do something outside.
If you get stuck, it's time to move. Get out of your office, and get your body moving. Do some stretches, walk around a bit, or get some fresh air. Once you get back, you’ll most likely have a fresher mind ready to tackle the task you’ve been stuck in.
Do the most challenging tasks during the mornings.
Mornings are usually when your mind is clear and perfectly blank. Doing the most challenging tasks during this time of the day will get your brain started and focused on that task.
It’ll also clear a big and stressful chunk off of your to-do list, so the rest of your work for that day should be easier to do.
Keep yourself motivated.
To be more productive, you also need to be motivated. Put up motivational sticky notes, pictures, and other items on your workspace to keep your motivation levels up. Think about how it’s quite a privilege to work from home and stay safe with your family.
Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Take some time off as needed, and don’t be hard on yourself if you’re having trouble adjusting to a work-from-home setup. If you’re strict and inflexible on yourself, you risk being too tense, down, and unhappy to the point that you won’t be productive while working.
Final Thoughts
If you’re prepared, it shouldn’t take long for you to get used to working from home instead of in a company office. By picking which of these steps are doable to you and then acting them out, you’re increasing your productivity, efficiency, and satisfaction at work.