Working from home is the dream for most of us, but staying mentally healthy and productive while working from home can sometimes be a struggle. There are a lot of ways to get distracted when we set up our own work schedules. And we certainly want to avoid the pyjama-all-day scenario.
Whether you're a full-time blogger working from home or if you're on mandatory home office duty, due to the unforeseen circumstances in the world right now, this blog post will give you some helpful tips on how you can stay productive when you're working from home. Even if you don't work from home, this post can still help you stay focused and productive. There is something here for everyone.
Plan
It is essential when you're working from home to be intentional with your time and plan the night before. This will help you avoid busywork so you can spend your day being productive and getting the most out of your limited time. When you are planning, don't be vague since this often leads to procrastination. You can plan your day down to the hour and use as much detail as you possibly can.
Example - Instead of writing, work on blog, you can break it down even more. You can write something like, create a new banner for the home page.
Always Do Your Hardest Tasks First
What I like to do is to make a detailed list of everything I want to do for that day and then sort that list from highest to lowest importance. This makes it much easier since you are getting the hardest tasks for the day out of the way.
Create a Morning Routine
The way you start your day usually determines your entire day. That's why it is so crucial that you start your day off right. Having a morning routine can also increase your productivity and help you manage a positive mindset. So set aside that extra hour and practice some self-care while enjoying your lovely coffee. Just be sure to make it clear when your morning ends, and your workday starts.
Get Ready
We have officially entered the no-pyjama zone. Get dressed and get ready for the day whether you are coming in contact with other people or not. Show up looking fabulous for YOU. I know myself, and I am so much more productive and feel so much better when I have put a little extra effort into how I look.
People take action based on how they feel, and if you feel good, you are much more likely to stay on track with your goals. Trust me after a whole day of pyjama-wearing it's not that fun anymore, and you just wind up getting lazy.
Create Two Designated Work Stations
Make sure you have two different workstations in your home.
- A table or more serious workspace where you can sit down and focus.
- A more comfy space like your couch.
I like to start my day out by the coffee table and then switch over to the couch when I'm answering emails. It can be good to have a change of scenery throughout the day to keep you inspired and motivated.
Avoid Distractions
It is essential to avoid distractions at all costs, even if you have to put a 'Do Not Disturb' sign at your door, do it. Let people know that you are now going to work. Put your phone on airplane mode to avoid getting distracted by texts or social media.
Set Up a Cozy Atmosphere
This is probably my favorite tip that I never forget when I'm working at home. Go out of your way to set the mood. Make sure the space around you is clean, light a few candles and set up your favorite playlist. You can pretend you're sitting at your favorite cafe. What's the mood like there?
You can play an ambience playlist in the background while you work. I know I honestly don't get any work done when there's a mess around me, I don't have my favorite playlist on, or I don't have a hot cup of coffee next to me. So make sure to do whatever you can to up the cosiness factor in your new home office.
Create Boundaries
You need to create a precise time for when you're working and when you're not. You have to decide this ahead of time, so there's no question of when you're working.
- I start work at 8 AM
- I get off work at 5 PM
It's so easy to mix up your personal time with work time, for example, doing laundry while taking a call. You have to be clear with how you are going to spend your time to ensure maximum productivity.
