With the constantly new possibilities of technologies working from home has never been so accessible.
A lot of jobs now offer placements for people who can only work from home.
What are more, big companies give their employees permission to work from a home office for a couple of days per year?
Is it a good option though or how to make the most out of it? Let’s find out together!
It is probably a dream for a number of people to work from home.
Since our home is a safe place we feel most comfortable there.
No extra pressure, no annoying colleagues and rude bosses, no meters – long traffic.
Just us and our working materials – as simple as that.
But working from home can sometimes be tricky.
There is a higher chance to get distracted by your lovely pet, the meal you are cooking or the bed which is calling for you.
For this reason, we have decided to list a few tips that can boost your productivity while working from home.
Our top 10 tips for boosting your home office productivity
Here are our suggestions for you, people working from home, who struggle to do it as effectively:
Set up a working space
Assumingly, not a lot of you can turn a whole room of their house into an office.
This is not an excuse to sit on the couch in front of the TV though.
The kitchen table or the desk in your bedroom is much of a better choice.
Sitting there with your laptop and notebook will automatically mean to turn your working mode on.
It is important to feel comfortable as well – make sure to take the right position which won’t result in a hurting back or neck.
You should not think that you will never be out of the office if you have one at home.
On the contrary, having a specially designed working space in your house is going to be the best office you will ever work in.
Besides, just like the other one – you have a schedule and the moment you go out, you are absolutely free to do whatever.
Have a plan
As with most things, it is better to have things planned in advance.
You can list all of the tasks you want to accomplish during your working session the night before or in the morning.
Such notes will be quite helpful in not letting distractions walk you out of your way.
Simply check out every task you are done with and stay motivated!
Something else you should actually plan is for how long you are going to work.
People can stay focused on a single task for around 90 to 120 minutes.
Therefore it is a good idea to separate your working sessions in, let’s say, 5 of 90 to 120 minutes each.
Have a 15 to 20 minutes break between every session.
This way you will get the most out of your productivity.
Limit your social media access
Scrolling through social media is one of the easiest ways to distract yourself. In a bad way.
It literally takes seconds to unlock your phone and open Instagram.
But it can take you hours to close it down.
That is why it is advisable to set some limits to your social media usage while you are working.
You can either leave your phone in another room or if you need it, just try to use it on purpose.
Turning off notifications is a great step for yourself not to be distracted.
Allow yourself to check on the social media platforms only during your breaks or before you start working at all.
Do not procrastinate
One of the worst things you could do for your productivity.
Getting only half of your work done won’t get you anywhere.
It will turn into a vicious cycle you won’t be able to escape from.
Unless it is a case of emergency, just push yourself a little bit harder and do everything you have set up for today.
Go outside
Working all day can definitely be tiring.
It is a great idea to just go out for a walk if the weather is nice and clear your head.
You will surely feel relaxed and energized afterward, ready to smash all of the resting work.
Download Iris, a blue – light blocking software
Having software that blocks the blue light emitted from your device’s screen won’t tire your eyes as much and will protect them.
Iris is an amazing example of such software.
Iris comes with a few different modes which allow you to choose the best one for your activity.
What is more, using Iris will have a good impact on your sleep because your body’s internal clock won’t be messed up.
Let’s summarize – with Iris you will be more productive during your work sessions and will sleep better!
Tell your family and friends about your goals
By letting your loved ones know that you are going to be busy throughout the day you will more likely be interrupted every couple of minutes.
They will respect your wish to work effectively and will help you reach your goals for the day by letting you do your job peacefully.
And when you are done, you can unwind together by going out for dinner, watching your favorite show or however, you like to spend your time off.
Get (kind of) dressed
No, do not be scared – we do not mean to wear a suit or high heels at home!
But wearing jeans instead of pajamas can also get you in the mood for working.
This trick works on a psychological level. After all, who watches Netflix with their jeans on?
Start early
Just like you would if you worked in an office.
Get up, get dressed, prepare your breakfast and coffee and sit on your desk to get things done.
It may be hard at first, especially if you are not a morning person.
But you will definitely notice how much more productive you will be if you start working early in the day.
Of course, once you have turned this into a habit you will find it much easier.
Do not put too much pressure on yourself
Working wherever can be quite stressful.
If you work hard enough, you will get where you want to be.
This does not necessarily mean to be consumed by your job.
You should be able to know where to put the line between work and personal life.
When you are done working, try not to think much about it.
Instead, try to relax while doing the things you enjoy.
This way you will be full of energy the next day which will result in a good productivity level of your working session!
Bonus tips: eat well, pay attention to the quality of your sleep and be as active as possible. These are the top three priorities you should have in order to feel your best. If you have any special needs, consult with a medical professional.
Conclusion
Working from home can be both a blessing and a curse.
Some will find it easier than others and the reverse as well.
We hope that by making this list we have helped you even a tiny bit to arrange your working days at home better.
Just plan ahead, limit the distractions as much as possible and have regular breaks in order to clear your head. And of course, keep doing a great job!
Author: Ilina Stoyanova
