Working from home is totally awesome.. up until your favourite show comes on or your cat decides to play with your keyboard. When you’re working from home you can become easily distracted and it can get in the way of your working responsibilities. This was happening to me until I tried some very EASY tricks. Hopefully what has worked for me, can help you become more productive if you work from home.
Create a Daily Work Schedule
Working from home can get you easily distracted and that’s why it’s super important to create a working schedule. You are the decision maker when it comes to this. Would you rather work in the early mornings, afternoon, or nights? By having a schedule, this aligns you and your business with your customers and partners that you rely on. Even though you have the pleasure of working from home, you still have responsibilities and you need to make a set time for them everyday.
Create a Work Space
No this doesn’t include your bed. Get up and find a place that you can be comfortable in. Is it in your house – in the kitchen, office or attic? Do you have a remote ‘office’ at your local coffee shop? If you have a workspace, you’ll know that that area is strictly for work. I turned one of my spare bedrooms into an office and now every time I enter that room, that means business.
Get Dressed
This one may seem easy, but don’t kid yourself. I mean, who wouldn’t want to work in their pyjama’s? Although it is very nice to wake up, make your coffee and get right to work in your warm, comfy and cute pjs, it actually make’s you less productive. A friend of mine told me to get dressed every morning before I begin my work day. And so I tried it and it’s true – I became more productive. Even if it’s just workout clothes, make sure you’re waking up and getting ready as if you were going out somewhere. Plus, in case of an emergency or if you need something from the store, you can quickly step out.
Have a Planner
If I didn’t have a daily planner/agenda, I would be a lost cause, and so would my business. Every morning, night and sometimes through out the day, I write down my daily and weekly tasks of what need to be done. This is what will pressure you to complete what you need to do.
Know When to Stop
Working from home has it’s pro’s and it’s con’s and when you work from home you can create your own hours. My work hours are between 8 am to 4 pm – this way I have early mornings and evenings to myself. However, I’m finding myself working 10, 12 or 14 hours a day, a couple times a week. This may just be my inner motivating self, deciding to work extra hours but I do have to remind myself that unplugging is important for the mind and the body. Work is work but your health comes first and if you know that your ‘shift’ ends in a couple hours, you’ll make sure to get your things to do done before the end of the day.
What other tips do you think is important to stay productive while working from home? What has helped you in the past? Finding ways to be more productive while you work from home is endless so share what has worked for you in the past in the comments below.
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