How to Boost Your Productivity When Working from Home

In light of recent events concerning COVID-19 (Coronavirus), most organizations around the world are encouraging employees to work from home in order to protect themselves and those around them. While this might be the norm for some, others are new to the whole concept of working from home and might need some tips to help them increase their productivity.

Regardless if you live in New York or Austin apartments, working from your apartment can be quite difficult, especially if you’re not used to it. You may be easily distracted by dishes that need to be washed, dogs that want to be walked or a neighbor who seems to be building a space rocket in the apartment above you. Either way, work needs to be done and it’s up to you to make sure you stay productive throughout the day and avoid any interferences.

Fortunately, if you plan on working from home for more than a few days, there are ways to deal with the ever-lingering temptation of procrastination. Below is a list of steps you can take to increase your productivity at home.

Set up a work space

First, pick a spot in your apartment to use as an office. It doesn’t even need to be a proper office – a chair and a table work just fine. What’s important, though, is to make the distinction between a work space and the rest of the apartment. Additionally, although the temptation will be strong, avoid working from your couch or bed as these are sure to disrupt your productivity.

Next, focus on making your work space comfortable. Use a chair that’s good for posture and keep your screen at eye level. While you’re at it, add some flowers or colorful sticky notes to boost your creativity while working.

Dress up

Ditch the pajamas. Feel free to wear cozy clothes, but – whatever you do – avoid staying in the same clothes all day long. Dressing up will put you into work mode, so it’s always a good idea to change your clothes if you plan on working. Then, as soon as you’re done with your tasks for the day, you can change back into your home/leisure outfit.

Make a to-do list

Before you begin your day, make a to-do list. This will help you manage your priorities and stay focused so you don’t alter your plans on the fly. While you can make changes to your list if you really need to, it’s best to stick to it as much as possible. Not only is it highly efficient, but it will also give you that feeling of accomplishment whenever you cross something off your list.

Maintain your daily schedule

Your routine might be dreadful at times, but it’s of utmost importance to stick to it. Habits dictate levels of productivity, and choosing the best routine for you will enable you to be more efficient.

Start by creating a routine for both mornings and evenings. This can include drinking your coffee while reading the news or your emails, making your to-do list, working your way through it and, of course, taking your breaks.

During the evening, do whatever you’d normally do after leaving the office – cook, watch TV and just relax. If your mind happens to wander off to work-related tasks, try not to dwell on them. Don’t bring your work home with you, even though your work is at home. Do your best to leave it in the space you assigned it to.

Avoid distractions

Working from home, you might feel the need to take more breaks than usual. Although you’ll most likely be in close proximity to the TV or your phone, try to stay away from both of them. Put the phone on silent, close any social media pages you have open and focus on your work.

The purpose of avoiding distractions is not to be isolated from other people. As human beings, we need social interaction, so whenever you take your breaks, go ahead and have a quick chat with your roommate or go online to see what your friends are up to. The idea is just not to overdo it and spend more time being distracted than working. The key to working from home productively is to maintain a good work/life balance, so make sure there’s a clearly defined line between the two.

All in all, remember to keep your attitude in check and take care of yourself. Working from home requires discipline and commitment. And, even though you might find it difficult at first, it will get easier with time.