I know a thing or two about working from home. I’ve done it for years. That’s why I understand how difficult it is to work from home if you’re the type to get easily distracted. But, with some proven strategies and adjustments, you can focus better and increase your productivity.
Ever since the pandemic, working from home has become more than a trend – it’s become a necessity.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, about a third (35%) of workers with jobs that can be done remotely, are working from home all the time.
But, does operating from your home allow you to be more focused? After all, you don’t have busybody coworkers stopping by your office or cubicle every minute. You don’t have to contend with phone calls interrupting your flow or your boss standing over you.
On the contrary, some find it more difficult to concentrate when they are operating from home. So, I am going to give you some helpful tips to make the most of your day and avoid the distractions.
So, here’s some techniques I have used over the years to help me stay on track:
Set-up a distraction-free workspace
One of the biggest benefits of working from home is that you have absolute control over your workspace, unlike at your office, you have to take the set-up you’re given. This freedom allows you to customise your workstation.
- Let the sunshine in. I love to open my curtains and allow the sunlight to pour in over my computer (sunlight is especially helpful for creatives).
- Ensure I have a clutter-free desk. You would be surprised just how much clutter will distract you. If everything is in order, you won’t have to worry about unnecessary coffee spills or not being able to access necessary items like a stapler or external hard drive.
- Clean your room. There is nothing worse than trying to operate in a filthy environment. Transform your space into your own personal, creative office. If everything is tidy, you will enjoy walking into the space.
- Clean your digital room, too. I dedicate a few hours to cleaning off my computer desktop to free up storage. There’s nothing worse that working on a document or editing a video only to have your computer stall because you’ve run out of storage. Seeing a tidy computer desktop will make you feel more organised.
Minimise Digital Distractions
One of the first things I immediately do when working from home, is I unplug my television set. Luckily, I only have two, so that’s easy. I don’t just turn them off. I unplug them. I’m far too lazy to actually get up and plug it back in just to watch some TV, so unplugging is a great deterrent.
- Mute notifications and don’t allow your phone, email and social media messages to keep going off throughout the day. You’ll be tempted to respond.
- Close unnecessary tabs on your computer. You may think you’re being more productive, but all that is going to do is overwhelm you and have you toggling back and forth rather than focusing on the task at hand.
- Working from home means you need to manage family expectations. My mother has a tendency to call me throughout the day when I am working from home. I love hearing from her, but as you can imagine, it can be a huge distraction. So, what I do now is I tell her that I will be unavailable during set hours, except in emergencies. I ask her not to send texts or funny memes that she finds online until a certain hour. She usually obliges. When she doesn’t, I promptly remind her.
Do this for all of your friends who love to disrupt you during the day. If you ask nicely, I know they will respect your wishes. So much time is lost responding to texts and funny GIFs.
Dealing with kids
If you have young children who are at home with you while you work from home, consider getting up early to get your day started. That way, you can get a jumpstart on tasks and have uninterrupted time to respond to emails, send invoices if you’re a freelancer or entrepreneur, and get ready for your day.
If you can afford it, get a nanny to watch your children while you work. If you are working for a company and getting paid, you need to be available to them and give them 100 percent. Don’t allow yourself to keep getting distracted to change diapers, play with the kids, unless they absolutely need you or you are on a lunch break.
Set a routine
- Start your day at the same time every day. If you work for yourself, you have the luxury of choosing the hours you want to work. You don’t have to feel confined to a 9-5pm routine. If you prefer to sleep in, then, set your schedule for 11-7pm. The point is to be consistent.
- Block off your time. Think about when you were working in an office. More than likely, you took coffee breaks and an hour lunch break. Do the same from home. Your body needs nourishment, your brain needs to be recharged. I struggled with doing this, and sometimes still do. Because I would find myself working while eating at my desk. Don’t do it. Take a break.
Lists will become your best friend
I have told you all a million times – I’m a Virgo, and so naturally, that means I am obsessed with lists. Nothing gives me more joy than to write a list, except maybe crossing off all the things on my list.
Lists keep you organised with your daily tasks. If you see all the things you have to do laid out on paper, you’re more likely to feel the pressure to get them done.
Embrace silence
Some people prefer to listen to waves crashing against the shore, some prefer the sound of thunderstorms to soothe them. I like silence. I love being alone with my thoughts; it gives me clarity and allows me to focus and be creative.
If you enjoy silence and live in a noisy building, consider getting noise-canceling headphones or padding your space so that you don’t hear every bump.
By creating a structured environment, minimising distractions and organising your workspace, you will find yourself in an environment that allows you to be productive while working from home.
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