Working from home has a lot of benefits, and for some people is ideal. It does come with its own challenges. Without having your boss or coworkers to help keep you on track and motivated, it can be easy to get distracted or not feel very motivated to get started or stay focused.
We have collected a few tips to help you stay focused and motivated while working from home.
1. Maintain a healthy work-life balance
Getting caught up in work or doing just one more task when working from home can be easy. While this might seem like a good way to boost your productivity, it is also a great way to burn out.
A few things to consider to help create a work-life balance are:
- A dedicated workspace. A space dedicated to working will help to disconnect outside of work hours. If space permits, having an office is ideal, and it can make transitioning from work mode to home mode much smoother.
- Have a routine. Having a workday routine is an excellent way to get into the workflow. Waiting to get to work when you feel like it is a recipe for disaster. You will never feel like working. You must practice discipline and have a solid routine to keep you focused.
- Get dressed every day. This may seem so simple and obvious, but getting dressed in the morning will help to get you out of lounging mode and into work mode. It is so easy to spend the day in your pyjamas while working from home.
- Have after-work plans. It can be easy to work past work hours when working from home. Planning activities you must do after work will help you call it a day and get out of work mode. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. It could be taking the kids to an after-school activity, making dinner, calling a friend, or making yourself an after-work snack—anything to get you out of your office and call it a day.
- Have a firm end time. Having a firm cut-off time for work will help from overworking. It may seem like if you get just one more task done, your getting ahead, but at what cost? It may not seem like much, but you will burn yourself out over time. Setting a firm end of work time will make it easier to stop and do some after-work activities.
2. An organized desk equals a more productive day
It is easy to let your desk become overrun with paper and other clutter but having such a chaotic workspace can seriously hinder your productivity.
Some things you can do to keep an organized and productive workspace are:
- If your desk is overflowing, it’s time for a good declutter. Throw out the garbage, put things back in their places, and if something doesn’t have a home, find it one.
- Sort out paperwork. Figuring out an organization system that works for you when it comes to paperwork can make a big difference when it comes to keeping your desk tidy. It may be time to think about investing in a desk organizer or a filing cabinet, depending on the amount of paperwork you have.
- Add a personal touch. Don’t forget to add personal touches to your workspace. For example, displaying Canvas Photo Prints of memorable moments and wall art can add personality to your workspace, making it feel more comfortable and creatively stimulating. Having a warm and inviting workplace rather than a boring and impersonal space can help you stay focused and motivated.
- Invest in a comfortable chair. Having an uncomfortable chair to sit in for several hours a day is an excellent way to hinder your work. Getting up and stretching is essential, but if the chair you’re sitting in hurts your back, you are setting yourself up for aches, pains, and a decrease in productivity.
3. Getting fresh air and proper lighting is important
Going for a walk or opening the windows are great ways to get you breathing in the fresh air. Spending your entire day inside breathing in stuffy air can take its toll on your health.
Breathing in the fresh air can help to boost your energy, increase focus, and stabilize your moods.
Ensuring proper lighting in your workspace is also key to productivity when working from home. You don’t want to work in a dark room staring at a computer screen. Getting as much natural light into your home while working can also help you focus, boost your mood, and increase feelings of happiness.
Taking some time to go for a walk every day is an excellent way to get fresh air and a good dose of daily sunlight to motivate you.
4. Don’t let you pet be a distraction
We get it your pet is entertaining, funny, and deserves all the attention in the world, but when you are working from home, your fur baby can seriously impede getting work done.
Try to incorporate time with your pet throughout your working hours, so they are not feeling put out. You can take them on a nice walk, practice training, or taking a break and getting comfortable with your pet for a good snuggle.
The location of your dog’s own space in your apartment must be determined before you give it to him or her. The use of items such as a dog blanket for napping, some toys to keep them entertained, or something yummy to chew on while you work can help keep your buddy entertained.
Patting and touching dogs multiple times a day has been found to improve their sense of security and love. The owner can significantly reduce the animal’s anxiety by cuddling and petting it more frequently. As a result, they will be more calm where you need them to be.
5. Set up your environment for success
As we previously said, having an organized and tidy desk is good for motivation. So is setting your workspace up for success. Making sure you have everything you need close by will stop you from having to leave your work area and possibly getting distracted.
Set up your office in a way that will make you the most productive. This also goes for décor. Maybe you need some inspirational pictures on the wall or set up a vision board to remind you of what you are working towards. Your office should have anything that keeps you motivated to avoid getting burnt out.
There are so many distractions at home that minimizing them or not having them in your line of vision can be the difference between spending your time on tasks that matter or wasting the day doing things that don’t contribute to your work.
Conclusion
Working from home has so many perks. Learning to stay motivated and setting yourself up for a successful workday is a must. If this is a new way of working for you, don’t forget to give yourself grace as you adjust to your new work-from-home venture.
Sara Hogan
