Looking for some quick work from home tips to boost focus? You are not alone! The pandemic is accelerating working from home, a trend that has appeared in many businesses and companies like real estate, information technology, and digital marketing agencies. While working from home sounds like leisure to some, it’s certainly not. According to the Modern Workplace 2019 report, 41 percent of employers are now performing work from home, and it’s expected that number would be higher in the next report due to be released. Every job has a different profile, and the amount you’re able to perform will vary between career types, employers, and internal policies. However, there are some crucial strategies for working from home to efficiently get your duties done. Here are some tips for working from home effectively:
1. Structure your day like normal
Setting a schedule not only gives structure to the day but also helps you stay motivated. Start the day normally if you worked in an office, get dressed, get up early, and try to avoid online distractions once you settle down. Whether you’ve been working at home for months or you’ve just started, it takes a few weeks to determine the best schedule for your day.
2. Get dressed
When working from home, it’s comfortable to stay in your pajamas all day. Research shows that the clothes we wear change our mindset and make a difference in our productivity levels. So if you discover yourself working from home, put on your work clothes to keep your focus and motivation.”
Changing clothes and getting into casuals can make a whole lot of difference. It can change our mindset and contribute to our routine building.” Dress for success” isn’t just a corporate catchphrase; it really means when you work from home. You will be mentally prepared for the day and also be prepared to get work done correctly.
3. Establish a separate workplace
One of the most effective work from tips is establishing a separate workspace is important if you want to get work done. Make it a place where you’ll like spending time. However, it would help if you also were obvious that it’s a place of work. If you don’t have a dedicated workspace, you will end up working in every corner of your house. Treat yourself when it comes to making that office. Go for the standing desk and anti-fatigue mat now that some department’s measly budget doesn’t constrain you. The point isn’t to recreate a corporate office, but to create one that works most useful for you.
Check that you can work comfortably. If not, you’ll likely find plenty of excuses to get up and go somewhere else!
4. Stay in contact
If you work in a team, make sure to check in daily just like you would in the office. Make a to-do list to keep yourself organized, and share the status of your work with your colleagues, so they know you’re on top of your work. Besides email and messaging programs, it’s a good idea to set up regular meetings via video conferencing like Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom
5. Use apps to your advantage
There are bundles of apps that can help you boost productivity when you work from home.
- Cloud storage services such as Dropbox & Google Drive
- To-do list application like Todoist
- Task management apps like Asana or Trello
- A cloud-based calendar like Google Calendar
When working from home and depending on such apps, the essential thing to remember is to make sure they are genuinely making you more productive. Sometimes, we don’t understand it, but we might be wasting too much time handling these applications instead of the work itself.
6. Get some exercise
Exercise naturally increases endorphins, which boost happiness, enjoyment, and interest, all of which are important for productivity.
Stretching regularly helps you maintain great posture. At a minimum, stretch throughout the day so you don’t get sore or hinder your quality of life.
Try exercising at home, invest in some budget-friendly home equipment like an exercising mat or dumbbells, or there are free home exercise or yoga videos available on YouTube to keep fit.
7. Defeat distraction and stay focused
Making productive use of your time is a significant part of knowing how to work from home effectively. You’re up against a house full of possible distractions, and you’re on your own with the challenge. A digital detox can help you to refresh and rejuvenate
8. Smartphones and tablets
Smartphones, tablets, and other devices can become a real productivity-killer – especially if you’re someone who frequently reaches for their phone during the day. On average, we use our phones more than 2,500 times a day, so it’s easy to see how the habit can kill your work productivity.
Placing devices out of your reach can decrease their power to attract you away from your desk. Try putting your mobile in a drawer or leaving it in a different room for a set period while concentrating on a task.
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9. TV and media
It can be challenging to pay attention when Netflix, Hotstar, or Prime are calling you during the workday. So put a wall between the TV and yourself.
It could be real, in the form of a closed door, or behavioral, where you use mental obstacles to make it tougher to indulge.
Try unplugging your TV during the day, so you have to take the extra step of reconnecting it before you can drop down on the couch for a binge-watch.
10. Household tasks
Under normal circumstances, household chores like washing dishes, getting groceries, might not be go-to activities. Still, they can suddenly get tempting when your alternative is preparing for a meeting.
Out of sight, out of mind is an excellent rule of thumb here. Shut the office door, so you can’t see housework tasks remaining to be done.
11. Pets and family members
They’re charming, and there’s no doubt that they can also be demanding. Although there’s no off-switch, you can try getting help from friends and relatives to take pets and small people off your hands for a few hours, and prioritize your most brain-taxing work tasks when they’re not around.
12. Switch off social media
It’s the most significant drain of time, but staying off social media is easier said than done – especially if you need to be on the internet for your job. If you keep being lured back in, there are many apps you can install on your web browser or smartphone to block access to social media. If the app you choose doesn’t block social media from your smartphone, try disabling notifications on your phone so that you don’t just keep checking social media.
As a homeworker, you might find it effortless to work long hours without taking a break. Stopping for a washroom break doesn’t count as rest, nor does grabbing food from the fridge and bringing it back to your desk.
To assist you in getting into the habit, set an alarm clock to go away every two hours in the room far away from your desk. Use these alarms as excuses to get up and take a break.
13. Listen to music
Listening to music throughout the day at a moderate volume gives you the focus you need. There are many music streaming services available that lets you increase your productivity. Since you’re working at home, you don’t want it too loud, ensure you can instantly mute it to take a business call.
Final thoughts
A hybrid workplace model with remote work might be the future
With these work from home tips, you can increase your productivity when you work from home and effectively present your work. Working from home can help you flourish when you step up your video conferences and increase your productivity.
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