Working from home can be quite cumbersome, especially, when it has to do with productivity, communication, and motivation. Everyone who works from home has to determine when to work, the working space, and how to put some boundaries between work and personal life because even though working from home has its advantages, it can also be very distracting.
In this article, we have explored some essential tips for ensuring productivity and putting away distractions while working from home.
1. Maintain Regular Work Hours
Set a timetable, and stick to it. When you have clear guidelines on when to work and when to stop work, it helps to maintain a work-life balance.
The good thing about working from home is that you can be flexible in setting your work hours to suit you. For instance, if you are much more productive in the morning, then you can set your work hours in the early hours of the morning. However, if you need to get your kids to school or do some other house chores early in the morning, then you may want to set your work hours from late morning.
2. Dress Up Properly
Getting dressed before starting work is very important. Apart from psychologically getting you prepared for work, you will be ready to make video calls or make them at any time when the need arises abruptly. You will be prepared to get work done, and you will be mentally and physically prepared for the day if you get dressed properly as if you are going to the office.
This might seem like a less vital tip, but it is a very crucial one. You do not have to dress as formally as you might for work, but the simple act of dressing properly serves as a signal that it is time to start work for the day.
3. Have A Dedicated Office Space
Irrespective of space or location, create an area of your home where you will work daily. It is important to create an effective workspace if you want to stay on track and work effectively. Have all the equipment you need and ensure that have enough space to work comfortably.
You may also need to get some office furniture if you do not have one already. Depending on the amount of space available, consider purchasing a large table, bookshelf, and comfortable office chair. Avoid having a television and other digital distractions around that space so that you can focus on your work.
Get a comfortable chair that you can sit and relax in for several hours without feeling uncomfortable and make sure the workspace is well-illuminated with natural lighting. You also need to get your household to avoid that space especially when you are working.
4. Schedule Breaks
Always have time for breaks. Don’t continue working when it is time for a break and do not go on a break when you are supposed to be working. Use your break time to relax, eat something, and exercise or stretch out a little. Exercise helps to naturally boost endorphins, which in turn increases happiness and boosts interest levels, all of which are important for productivity.
Regularly stretching helps you maintain great posture. At a minimum, stretch throughout the day so you don’t get sore or hinder your quality of life. You can also find some time to rest a little. You could take a nap for a few minutes to relax your body.
5. Have A Work Phone Number
Ensure you have a phone number that you only use for calls with colleagues and clients. Just as some of the other tips above, having a separate phone number for work helps you manage your work-life balance. So make sure you keep aside other phone numbers to avoid engaging in unnecessary calls which can distract you from work.
6. Socialize With Colleagues
Some common problems associated with working from home are loneliness, disconnection, and isolation, especially for those who love to make friends or socialize. It is important to determine how much interaction you need to connect with others. Even if you are a very introverted person and don’t like socializing, a few interactions won’t be that bad to familiarize yourself with friends and colleagues.
7. Eat Healthy And Balanced Diets
Another reality faced by those who work from home is having full access to the kitchen. This tends to attract you to eating all kinds of unhealthy foods and snacks at your disposal. However, you need to learn to eat only healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables which have a direct link to overall productivity levels, and avoid unhealthy foods like snacks, etc.
We believe that with the above tips, you can enjoy a very comfortable, profitable, and interesting work from home life.
