Whether you’ve been working from home for the past two years or you just started, you might be hitting a wall when it comes to productivity. Check out these helpful tips if you’re struggling to stay focused when working remotely:
Create a specific work space
To improve your work-life balance, be sure to set up a specific work space at home. While the goal is to enjoy your job, you may not want a constant reminder of it if you’re trying to relax on the couch when watching TV or spending time with family in the den. The CCL suggests choosing a spot with a lot of natural light and in an area that does not experience a lot of foot traffic. If you’ve got family members or roommates constantly walking by or doing activities nearby, you may not get much work done.
Get ready for the day
Another tip to boost productivity is to get up, take a shower, and get dressed. It might seem easier to just roll out of bed and log on in your pajamas to save time and do less laundry, but you might feel groggy or sleepy in these clothes. When you put “real” clothes on, your brain is more likely to think it’s time to get down to business. You don’t have to go all-out with a suit and tie if your job doesn’t require it. If you’re uncomfortable, you’re not going to be able to focus on anything other than that instead of getting tasks completed.
Limit distractions
Distractions can be detrimental when you’re trying to get quality work done. When something interrupts your train of thought, you might end up with nonsense in an email or presentation. If you have to work remotely with a spouse or kids at home, be sure to set proper boundaries with them in regards to your working time. It might become necessary to invest in ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones if you find yourself getting distracted easily.
Stick to your schedule
The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) suggests setting a schedule to help hold yourself accountable when working from home. With no supervisors or coworkers nearby, it can be easy to log on later in the morning or stop working early. Or worse, it can lead to working later than anticipated, leading to a poor work-life balance.
Temporarily change your scenery
If you’re still having trouble finding the motivation to get any work done, it may become necessary to temporarily change your scenery. Doing so will help stimulate your brain and get out of a funk. Go for a 5-minute walk around the block if the weather is nice, watch a short music video on your phone in another room, or just listen to some upbeat music for a while to see if that helps. If all else fails and you have a laptop that allows you to travel, try working at a local coffee shop or park if your work allows it.
With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way to having more productive days when working from home.