A common dream amongst many people is to be able to work from home. Whether that is running your own business, or still employed with a company, working from home comes with many perks. Arguably, working from home means a better work-life balance, no commute (which can save time, money spent on petrol or public transport, as well as good for the environment!), location independence and increased responsibility amongst employees.
But working from home can also come with its challenges. You no longer have to leave the house, and your comfortable sofa and TV are waiting for you in the next room, which can make it much harder to get yourself motivated on the days you lack energy. Working from home also means there is a lack of community and teamwork, risk of burnout as employee performance and breaks are not monitored, more distractions and not everyone has access to office and security equipment that suits their needs.
Many of the issues with working from home are rooted in a lack of productivity, which can be difficult when you are in the same environment all day. This article will look at top tips that will help you stay productive and motivated when working from home.
#1 Create a designated workspace
Although one of the perks of working from home for some people is the fact you can work from your bed or your sofa, it can be a bad habit to start. Not only is it bad for your posture and can cause some seriously distracting neck and back pains, but it can also hinder your productivity. This is because your environment will set the tone for your attitude towards whatever task you are completing. Your brain will associate the sofa or bed with sleeping, being lazy, or watching TV. The same goes for a professional workspace. If you can set up an office in a spare bedroom, or if you don’t have the space, just dedicate a corner of a room to your office, and equip it with all your office supplies, you will feel much more in the zone with your work than you would on the sofa. Even better, turn up at your desk at the same time every day, wearing your office clothes. This will significantly impact your working day.
#2 Optimize your workspace
The first and most important step is to have a dedicated workspace. Next, is optimizing your workspace so you can work better and more efficiently. Make sure you have set up your office equipment correctly and to the correct specifications to suit your needs by making sure your back is supported, your chair is adjusted so your feet are able to rest on the floor, your screen should be propped up to eye level, your keyboard and mouse should be directly in front of you and there should be a good level of lighting. If you have a laptop, you may consider an ergon desk for a more comfortable setup and to help you maintain good posture. Remember that you spend hours at your desk each day, so the setup is vital for your health, and your productivity. Stock your workspace with all the equipment and supplies that you will need during your workday, such as paper, pens, sticky notes, phone, notebook, headphones, etc. to eliminate stopping and starting your workflow.
Remove any distractions you know will hinder your productivity throughout the day, for example, if you find your next-door neighbor’s dog barking stops you from concentrating, then perhaps keep your window shut and opt for a fan instead. One of the biggest distractions during the working day is your mobile phone. Try to keep your phone silent or out of your office space. If you need your phone for work, try muting all your social media and personal text messages on mute so you are less tempted to scroll.
It is also important to consider the decor in your workspace. If your desk is against a wall, you might find it unmotivating to look at a blank wall all day. If this is the case, consider hanging a painting and adding a plant to your desk to brighten it up just enough to get you through the working day.
#3 Set a working schedule
If you have not been given specific times to work, or you have flexibility with your working hours, it is a good idea to agree to a schedule. This will enable other people in your household to know when you are working to help limit distractions. It will also enable you to set up your own routine at home, which is a great strategy for increasing productivity as humans are creatures of habit, so if you sit down at your desk at the same time every day, it will become easier to get started with work. It is important to include your short breaks and lunch breaks in there too. A great way to optimise time is to track behaviour analytics too. Find out exactly where work hours are being used.
A schedule can be especially helpful if you have children and need to consider childcare and school pickups.
#4 Take regular breaks
Taking a break from work may sound counterintuitive, but it is vital to increasing your productivity while working from home. Just a few times a day, take a break from your desk and do a completely different task. Perhaps cook a fresh meal, walk your dog or grab some water. Regular breaks give your mind and body time to recharge and come back to work with fresh eyes.
#5 Make a to-do list
Making yourself a to-do list before you start each day will enable you to work more efficiently as you are able to stay on track with specific tasks. Your to-do list should include your tasks for the day, as well as any meetings and appointments that you may have. If you wish, you could also include what time each task should be completed to give you something to work towards. Without a to-do list, you may find yourself thinking and procrastinating on what to do next. A to-do list may take up 5-10 minutes of your time at the beginning of the day but will provide you with the much-needed focus to move forward, as well as the satisfaction of being able to visually cross things off your list, which in itself is pretty motivating.
#6 Go outside
When working from home, it is important to make time to go outside. Whether this is in the morning before work, lunchtime, or after work, it is important to take a step out of your environment. This is because now that you sleep, eat, socialize, and work at home, it can really hinder your performance if you are in the same environment 24 hours per day. Not to mention numerous studies have found that nature alone can have a profound impact on your productivity as it can relieve stress, lower blood pressure and cortisol and improve cognitive function.
#7 Set up regular meetings with colleagues
Working at home is great to have your own space, and for some, it can also increase productivity in itself as you limit the distractions of others in the workplace. However, working at home can sometimes get lonely, feel disengaged and isolated and take its toll on your mental health, which in turn, can hinder your motivation and productivity. You don’t have the morning coffee chats or a quick natter in the hallway. Instead, there are many tools that you can use to stay connected to your colleagues such as Teams and Slack, so you can set up chats to easily talk to each other. You should also set up regular video conferencing calls to help you all stay connected. If you work alone, perhaps as a freelancer or have recently started your own business, then this may not be possible for you. Instead, you can find online co-working spaces and networking events within your industry, which is a great way to meet like-minded people and stay connected.
#8 Create a morning and evening routine
A morning routine is vital to set you up for a good working day. The best morning routines include a little bit of movement and fresh air. You could exercise, drink your coffee outside on the porch, or head out for a run. You should also make sure you get a good, nutritious breakfast to help curb any hunger and distractions.
An evening routine is just as important. As you no longer have the commute home to mark the end of work, change gear and switch off from work, it is important to create your own so as you move into a different room, you don’t take your work with you. Perhaps say goodbye to your colleagues, create your to-do list for the next day and pack up all your work equipment. You could even head to the gym or complete a task that enables you to turn off completely.
Working from home certainly comes with both advantages and challenges. With the right strategies in place, you can make it a productive and pleasant place to work.
