22 Jul How to Make Yourself More Productive When Working From Home
One of the greatest challenges when working from home is staying productive. It is easy to be distracted by household chores, TV, social media, etc. You may also struggle to find the motivation to get up and get going, particularly with no boss standing over your shoulder. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are several things you can do to become more productive and achieve work-from-home success.
Set a Schedule
One of the best and easiest ways to increase your productivity when working from home is to establish a schedule. Set working hours that you must follow each day. This will help you more easily get up off the couch and behind your desk. Plus, it will help to keep your work/life balance strong as you are less likely to work extra hours. Make sure family members and friends are aware of your working hours as this can help to reduce interruptions throughout the day.
Not only should you create a schedule for your working hours, but establish a routine before you begin your workday. This could include tasks such as exercising, getting dressed, washing dishes, making your bed, etc. This will help you start each day productive and help your mind and body recognize when it is time to focus on work.
Create a Home Office
You don’t have to create a beautiful, professionally-designed office to be productive. You simply need a space where you can work each day. This will help your mind and body recognize that it is time to work and it will make it easier to get into a working mindset.
As you establish this working area, make sure it is established away from distractions such as the TV. The fewer distractions around, the easier it will be to complete your assignments.
Get Dressed
You may not realize it, but what you wear to work each day affects your productivity levels. What you wear can affect your confidence levels and make you feel more professional. When you dress in sweatpants each day, it can affect your focus, make you feel tired, and decrease your engagement levels.
Open the Windows
Studies show that natural sunlight is key if you need to increase your productivity levels. Opening the windows and letting in natural sunlight offers many health benefits for individuals whether at home or in the office. A few of these health benefits include:
- Helps to fight Seasonal Depression
- Improves sleep
- Boosts Vitamin D levels
- Improves mood
If your home office is in a dark area of your home, you can enhance the sunlight in this area by taking down the window treatments and placing mirrors on the walls. You should also spend time outside during your breaks to get a little fresh air, clear your mind, and move your body.
When you make an effort and implement the above tips into your workday, you may find that you are more productive, creative, and engaged with your career. You will also notice an increase in your productivity levels and will find more satisfaction with your job.
