We've all fantasized about working from home. You know, having the freedom to work your own hours, wear jammies all day, and do whatever you want, when you want.
While all of that sounds fantastic, it might be difficult to avoid delaying with so many distractions at home.
How can you concentrate when your adorable new cat is pressing up against you, asking to be cuddled? How do you be productive while a mountain of dishes has been developing in the back of your mind?
That is why we wrote this article. We'll go through some easy techniques to increase your productivity while working from home.
The significance of an effective home office
So, you've decided to work from home. Working from home is a great experience, whether it's an opportunity to work on a new business initiative of yours or you're simply fortunate enough to enjoy the option to work where you want owing to your employment.
But that doesn't imply it's as simple and enjoyable as everyone thinks.
Working from home requires a great deal of self-discipline. It might be difficult to stay focused and productive when there are continual distractions, housework, and simply getting caught up in everyday necessities.
Working from home will look different for everyone, therefore the most important thing to remember is that what works for you might not work for someone else.
But, with these hints and ideas, you'll have a far better understanding of working from home—and how to do it comfortably and successfully.
Okay, so you're not the cleanest person in the world, and that's fine. Maybe your home office has always been a jumble of books, sketches, notes, and external hard drives strewn about.
That may sound like absolute mayhem and a living nightmare to some. Others, though, believe that this is when they are most productive. It is critical to discover for yourself what motivates you to be productive. What kind of working environment do you prefer? Everything must be organized for me. For me, a crowded desk reflects a cluttered and nervous mentality. I know I'm not productive in that kind of setting.
There is no correct or incorrect response here. However, it is certainly worthwhile to experiment with different working environments from time to time to find what works best for you.
With that in mind, let's look at some of the various ways you can stay productive while working from home regardless of the type of worker you are.
1. Separate your professional and personal spaces
I've been in a scenario like this before. It's a never-ending circle. Having your workspace and personal space mixed together is not a smart approach to be productive.
Sure, watching Netflix while working is a fantastic idea if you have any downtime but it drastically reduces your productivity. And, as these two worlds merge, it might be difficult to devote time to one or the other.
Worse, it's difficult to "leave something at work" if you've had a bad day. When I worked from home, I once attempted working from my bedroom, and after a long day, not being able to "leave work" was a terrible sensation.
Whether it is formed by assigning particular time periods in your day to working hours or simply keeping any distractions at arm's length either way, it should assist.
It may be difficult at first to distance oneself from domestic circumstances, but it is definitely worth it. If you have the option, consider converting a spare bedroom into an office space rather than working from your couch.
Consider this: if your workstation isn't in a distinct area from where you should be spending your personal time, consider acquiring a room divider.
2. Organize your junk to save time
You've concluded that you're one of those folks who adores clutter. But have you considered organizing it?
Consider this: you have a lot of stuff. Books, notes, notebooks, pencils, and pens are strewn about. Even your computer's desktop is clogged with old screenshots, word documents, and other files.
You know where everything is (most of the time), but it's not a comfortable working environment for you or others around you at home.
But what about the items you can never seem to find? Do you realize how much time you're wasting looking for that pesky document when you might be focusing on your company?
3. Dress for success
We've previously explored the value of a morning ritual and how it may boost your daily productivity—but what about when you work from home?
It's tempting to spend the day in your pjs, drinking coffee, and eating junk food, but this isn't good for your mind or body. Spend some time waking up early and getting dressed. Dress as if you were going to a meeting or working in an office.
It truly does put you in anew frame of mind for the rest of the day.
- Clothes are symbolic and have a significant impact on how you feel about yourself. People have a tendency to surround themselves with artefacts that reinforce their negative self-image. Clothes are not an exception to this rule.
- The more time you put in your appearance, the more you're motivated to 'go out there'. This is especially useful when interacting with more people can increase your productivity, such as at a networking event or a party.
- You can separate your job and personal lives by changing your attire when you arrive home. This allows you to keep your professional and personal lives separate, which is especially important as more and more businesses embrace casual dress rules.
4. Purchase comfortable and appealing furniture
You may get up a few times for a break, but once you get into a rhythm, you may find yourself sitting at your desk for hours on end. That is why it is critical to invest in ergonomic workplace furniture. You cannot afford to have your productivity and health hampered by a terrible working environment.
If possible, invest in an ergonomic chair or a standing desk. Standing for a few hours while working will help you save your back and be more productive.
5. Think about working from a co-working space
Working from home doesn't always feel right. It's important to get outside and away from your home office. Fortunately, you are free to work anywhere you wish.
Consider working from a library, a coffee shop, or a co-working place for a day or two. It will allow you to revaluate your efforts and give your mind a rest from home life.
If possible, operate from a location with plenty of natural light. According to a study published in Psychology Today, exposure to natural light significantly enhances workplace productivity.
6. Plan your meals for the week ahead
When you work from home, you usually have to take time out of your workday to cook for yourself. Alternatively, if you're lucky, you might have someone working from home with you who can assist you with cooking.
Try doing some advance food prep on Sunday evening to prevent spending too much time in the kitchen while you should be working. The idea is to prepare in bulk, store it in Tupperware, and consume it throughout the week so you don't waste time cooking during working hours.
Because you presumably don't eat as much as GSP, it may take you less than 2-4 hours. Give it a try!
7. Most importantly, know when to stop working
Working long, late hours may appear honourable when hearing about entrepreneurs who worked endless hours to attain their goals—but what you don't frequently hear is that they take time for themselves.
They understand when to turn off. They understand when to unplug.
It's critical to understand that taking a break is acceptable. It is acceptable for you to watch television for a few hours. It's fine to do what you want, when you want, and when you feel you deserve it.
- Powering down assists in the removal of harmful feelings of jealousy, envy, and loneliness.
- Powering down helps to alleviate the anxiety of missing out.
- Life is happening right in front of you at its best.
- Turning off the lights encourages invention over consumption.
Conclusion
Now that we've covered seven strategies to work from home while remaining productive, it's critical that you put them into action. We also have several work from home job openings if you're interested. It may take some time to acclimatize to these new ways of working, but it is well worth it in the long run.
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