If you have difficulty being productive at home, there are a few things you can do. Productivity requires focus, energy and time management.
Having a separate workspace helps maintain a clear distinction between work and home life. Having access to natural light is also important. Studies have shown that it can reduce drowsiness and headaches.
1. Get Organized
It’s no secret that being organized is essential for achieving success. Whether it’s an important deadline, a difficult client, or a last-minute opportunity, having the right tools and a clear plan can help you stay on track. For this reason, getting organized should be a daily priority. Furthermore, cleaning the entire house is a borderline requirement if you are thinking of selling your house.
Keeping a to-do list, using an online planner, or even just putting important information on your calendar can all be helpful for creating and maintaining a schedule. It will keep you on track and prevent you from forgetting anything important. It can also be satisfying to cross off items once they are completed.
Make a list of your top priorities and put it somewhere where you can see it (your office, the kitchen counter, etc). Try to create a routine where you check your lists first thing in the morning and again before going to bed at night. If you are looking to upgrade your organization, consider using storage and organizational tools like drawer organizers, a decorative entry table, or a wall-mounted key organizer. Having everything in its place can help reduce stress and give you more space for creativity. It’s also easier to find things when they are where you put them.
2. Set Goals
Whether you’re working from home or the office, setting goals can help you stay focused and achieve more in less time. It’s important to set short- and long-term goals and then break them down into smaller milestones. This helps to make tasks feel manageable, reduces procrastination and provides motivation to keep going when things get tough.
Many people struggle to focus at work because they don’t know what to do or where to start. A lack of organization forces them to waste time searching for information (think 5,000 emails in your inbox). Installing a whiteboard or a dedicated workspace can help to improve organizational skills by keeping important documents visible at all times and helping you find what you need quickly.
It’s also important to set “office hours” so that you know when it is okay to stop working. This will help you stick to your goals and avoid distractions like social media and Netflix binges.
Lastly, it’s essential to track your progress and celebrate milestones. This can be done by creating a rewards system or simply by taking the time to acknowledge each success and the sense of accomplishment when it’s reached. Incorporate these productivity hacks into your daily workflow and you’ll soon notice that you are able to concentrate more easily, work more efficiently and complete tasks faster.
3. Reduce Distractions
Distractions are a major factor that can derail even the best-laid plans. While it may be impossible to eliminate them completely, there are ways to minimize them. For example, if you work from home and have kids, make sure that your workspace is separate from your living space so that your family knows not to disturb you when you are working. You can also utilize a service like Noisli to block out distracting websites and apps during work hours to help you stay focused.
Another way to reduce distractions is to take advantage of the times of day when you are at your most productive. For example, if you are a morning person and tend to be at your peak performance in the early hours, schedule your most demanding tasks for then. Then, use the remainder of your day for lighter tasks and errands.
It is also important to communicate with family members about the importance of you avoiding personal distractions during your workday. Additionally, if you find that certain household chores are a major distraction, try to complete them before you start working or in the evening after work. Lastly, put away all of your work materials once you are done with them for the day so that they don’t tempt you to return to them.
4. Upgrade Your Workspace
If you have the space, create a dedicated workspace that is separate from your living area to help maintain a clear line between work and home. Even if it’s as simple as setting up a desk in your dining room or a corner of your finished basement, having an area that’s exclusively used for work will help you to stay focused and motivated throughout the day.
Ideally, this space should have a door that can be closed to keep out distractions and noise, such as children or pets. For those with limited space, a designated spot like the kitchen table can also be transformed into a productive workspace with a few upgrades.
One of the most important upgrades is a comfortable, ergonomic office chair that’s designed to support your back and neck while keeping you properly aligned in the seated position. Additionally, the lighting in your workspace should be indirect so it doesn’t cause glare on your monitor screen.
You should also consider adding plants to your workspace because they improve air quality and can boost concentration. Lastly, be sure to take advantage of natural light as much as possible, as it can reduce headaches, eyestrain and drowsiness.
5. Take Advantage of Natural Light
Natural light is a key factor for improving focus and productivity. It helps to regulate the body’s internal clock and enhances mood, alertness, and efficiency. It also improves sleep quality and enhances cognitive functioning, which in turn can help boost productivity and morale. This is why many commercial buildings are designing with generous amounts of sunlight-streaming windows, and tenants are willing to pay higher rents for such workspaces.
When working from home, try to position your desk in front of a window if possible. If this isn’t an option, you can still reap the benefits of natural light by implementing smart lighting. Choose a task lighting solution with cool white tones, as they are closest to the color of natural light. Using these smart bulbs will also allow you to change the brightness of the lighting to suit your work space and focus levels.
Another way to increase productivity while working from home is to take frequent breaks outside. This will not only improve your health and well-being, but it will also give your brain a break from the tasks at hand. It may seem counterproductive to have a break from a project when you have so much to get done, but taking the time to step outside will actually make you more productive.
6. Stay Quiet
If you work from home, it’s important to keep a separation between work and play. This can be as simple as not working from the couch or putting away the laptop when it’s time to watch TV. It can also be more involved, such as establishing a dedicated workspace in your house with a door that keeps out distractions and ensuring it’s equipped with everything you need to do your best work, including a good pair of headphones.
Getting up an hour or two earlier than everyone else in the household is another great way to make sure you have some quiet time to devote to work. This gives you the opportunity to get in some serious time before your spouse and children wake up and start demanding attention, making it easier to focus on higher-priority tasks.
If you find yourself tempted to say something you’ll regret in a conversation, try counting down from ten before saying anything. The time it takes you to count down can help you think about whether what you’re about to say is worth the potential consequences. It can also be useful for preventing multitasking, which actually slows you down.
7. Take Breaks
Toiling from sunrise to sunset may make you feel like an uber-productive remote worker, but working that long without breaks can actually be counter-productive. Breaks give you the chance to recharge your batteries and return to work with renewed energy and focus. Plus, they help you avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Don’t wait until you’re exhausted to take a break; that will only derail your productivity. Instead, create a schedule for regular breaks and stick to it. The exact structure of your breaks is up to you, but many people find that working in 90-minute blocks with short breaks every 75-90 minutes works well for them. Others like to use the Pomodoro Technique or work in 17-minute increments (paywall). Experiment with different break structures until you find what’s best for you.
During your breaks, avoid high-stimulation or addictive activities, such as checking social media, playing Candy Crush, or browsing the internet. Instead, try relaxing activities, such as reading a book or taking a walk. You can also use your break to do some light exercise or meditate, as both of these can improve mental clarity and focus. Another good option is to get outside in the sun, which boosts serotonin levels and promotes feelings of happiness and contentment.
