Working from home is the new normal these days. It can feel really difficult having to transition working from a structured office setting to an isolated home. Creating a productive work space might feel 10 times more difficult when your dog, cat, kid, or significant other are in the room wanting your attention. Today I'll be sharing tips on how to master productivity when working from home.
Change can be difficult. Especially if you've mastered your typical office schedule and suddenly have to master a new home schedule.
A lot of people are so used to working in an office setting with their co-workers, boss, and clients constantly checking up on them. It can feel like learning a foreign language when being forced to work on your own in isolation.
For me personally, I enjoy working from home and being able to spend more time with my family and cat. My last two years of high school I chose to switch to independent studies where I did school work from home and only had to go to class once a week to take tests and meet with my teacher. My college experience was also very similar. (FIDM ) Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising really promoted getting an internship while going to school. They felt it was best to schedule each class once a week for 3 hours long in order to give their students enough time throughout the week to work on homework or find an internship. This really taught me self-discipline and time management, which are important skills I use in my job while working from home.
Here are 6 tips for mastering productivity when working from home:
Stick to a schedule
The number one tip when working from home is creating a solid schedule. The best part about this is knowing that you can actually incorporate your old office schedule into your new schedule. If you had to wake up at the crack of dawn to work out, shower, get ready, eat and then drive to the office - think of how you can incorporate this into your new normal. Maybe you don't need to wake up at the crack of dawn anymore, but you can still wake up early to do the same tasks before you have to sit at your desk all day. Having a solid schedule will help you feel more organized, inspired, motivated, and productive when working from home.
Create a productive atmosphere and workspace
There is nothing worse than having a messy office, desk or room. Take time to reorganize and clean your workspace so you don't add any extra stress to your day. Studies have shown that a messy office or desk can increase stress and decrease your focus because it can become a distraction.
Be mindful of when you feel most energized
I don't know about you, but I am such a morning person. I feel most energized and motivated in the mornings. This is why I always make it a priority to work on my biggest projects first. They may not always be the most fun, but they have to get done. Be mindful of when you feel the most energized and use this to your advantage. This can help you knock out multiple tasks at once and allow you to work on more interesting projects throughout the day.
Take breaks
"WE WERE ON A BREAK!" - If you know this reference, you are the real MVP. Leave a comment below of what show I am referencing!
But on a more serious note... breaks are super important. Taking 5-10 minutes can help reboot your energy and mind. I like to take multiple breaks throughout the day to talk with my family, play with my cat, eat a snack, or eat lunch. Taking a 5-10 minute break every 2 hours is important not only for your mind, but also your mental and physical well-being.
Switch up your work environment
One of the major benefits of working from home is having the ability to switch up your environment. Work in your bed, work on the couch, work at the dining table, work on the floor, work outside. Experiment with new places to sit. For me, I usually spend the first half of my day at my desk in my room and the second half outside. There are many studies that show working outside in nature actually improves your focus and productivity.
Set boundaries
When you are off the clock, make sure you honor that. It can almost feel tempting to take out your laptop and finish up a project during the weekend so your week doesn't feel as heavy. That can be a challenge when working from home. If you don't set boundaries, you are sure to over-work yourself until you feel so burnt out you can move on. Put your work laptop away, exit out of work tabs, logout of work emails, keep your phone on silent - whatever you need to do to set those clear boundaries and give yourself a break for the night or weekend.
Using these productivity tips can make all the difference in the world. Do you have a special method for staying productive when working from home? Share below!
"You'll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine." - John C. Maxwell