4 Tips to Staying Productive While Working From Home

2020 has been a year full of surprises, changes, and schedule interruptions, especially when it comes to working. It’s hard to believe that just months ago things were rather “normal” and many of us were starting out the day with a typical routine that included heading into the office to complete the workday. Today, things are quite different as many of us adjust to not only working from, but being productive while working from home. Some of us have found it a breeze, even our preference, while some of us are finding it a bit more difficult to be as productive as we’d like. Whichever side of the scale you fall on, there’s no doubt that there are times where motivation can be lacking.

Lack of motivation or an unstable work routine can rear its head no matter where you are working. We all have “off” days from time to time. The problems arise when those “off days” occur more frequently than not, leaving us asking what we actually accomplished at the end of the day or week. 

With endless distractions like kids, dishes, preparing dinner, laundry, and so on, it’s easy to fall in this “lack of motivation” mindset. Co-workers seem distant and those deadlines that used to feel important get a bit hazier. The good news: there are tried and true methods you can utilize to stay on track and productive as you work from home. 

Develop a Distinguished Routine

It’s easy to allow the day to slip by when you don’t leave the house. Developing a workday routine will help you manage your time wisely and plan accordingly when the occasional interruption comes up. It also helps with staying true to work hours and avoiding those long evening hours that can creep in.

The downside, routines can become a bit boring, especially when the majority of the day is spent at home. Fear not, that doesn’t mean you need to throw the routine out the window. Simply add in some “fun, sporadic” time. Allow yourself anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour to do something out of the ordinary. You could go on a new hike, try a new hobby, or call a friend to chat, and the list goes on. 

Act Like You Will be Leaving the House

Just because you aren’t actually heading out to see anyone doesn’t mean there’s no reason to get dressed (although yes, it’s tempting to stay in PJs all day). Getting up and going through a morning routine warms up your day and sets the tone for productivity. You don’t have to put on your starchiest dress pants, but feeling comfortable and clean will allow for a more productive day and help jump-start your morning. 

Take Breaks

Sitting at the computer for several hours at a time can have huge detriments to your mental and physical health. When working from home it’s easy to let breaks slip by. Especially without the friendly distractions of side conversations with coworkers, impromptu meetings, water cooler chatter, and so on. It may seem counterintuitive to take a break, but it actually increases your productivity, especially when it’s an active break. It allows your mind to take a little rest, gets your blood flowing, and boosts energy. As you look at your daily schedule be sure to allow for a few 5-10 minute breaks to step away from your computer and move a little bit.  

Make a Home Office

While you might not have an office in your home, you can still dedicate a space to work from. It can be a table or counter in your home, even a TV tray you found to set your laptop on. It doesn’t matter where your “home office” is as long as you treat it just as that, your office and your workspace. Be sure your space is clean and organized with everything you need to be productive.

Working from home, whether by choice or not, comes with both opportunities and challenges. It allows for an elevated level of flexibility that may be difficult to navigate at first, but not impossible to overcome. As you perfect your routine you will find that you can be extremely productive from wherever you work. 

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