Finding ways to keep yourself motivated and on top of things is a skill that is very necessary for anybody who works remotely. If you can set and stick to a few simple habits, you can keep working even when the comforts of home tempt you to procrastinate.
Working from home has more distractions, less accountability, and less communication compared to an office setting. Some of the most common time-wasters include email, social networking, instant messaging, and household chores.
However, you can take action. Various options are available to help you maintain productivity, no matter where you happen to be.
To help you enhance your remote performance and stay motivated all day, we’ve compiled a list of 20 tips for increasing your productivity from home.
What is Remote Work?
Work that is performed outside of the traditional workplace setting is referred to as “remote work.” Software development, providing excellent customer service, copywriting, and finding qualified candidates are a few examples.
As a result of the rising demand for flexible employment arrangements, a growing number of sectors are making it possible for employees to do their jobs from home.
Most of the time, individuals working remotely connect with their colleagues and management using various online communication platforms.
Getting Used to the New Norm
You have to make significant changes to your routines and habits to remain productive and have a good work-life balance when working from home.
Remote work has several difficulties. Many things might divert your attention from your job when you’re at your own home. There may be guests staying at your place, loads of laundry, a dog to take care of, food to shop for, and assignments to do. You could also have to put in some overtime.
Full-time workers who are given the option to work from home might potentially earn an extra 26 hours of productivity every month.
People’s stress levels naturally increase as their workloads do. A Ginger poll conducted during the outbreak indicated that 91% of remote workers had experienced “moderate to severe” stress on the job at some point.
10 Ways to Stay Yourself Productive When Working From Home
Here are some suggestions for being productive and on top of things when working from home:
Prepare a quiet space in your house to work in.
Several remote workers and professionals who work from home can advise you that it’s critical to have a distinct location for your home office, whether it’s a corner of your living room or a guest room converted into an office.
The ideal environment for getting work done in quiet is a dedicated home office. If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your home office to increase productivity, then our home office guide is just what you need.
Wake Up Early and Jump In
When you don’t have to hurry out to work, staying in bed a little later than usual is tempting. However, if you need help to maintain productivity, waking up may help. Get up an hour before the rest of the house by setting the alarm.
Start your day off well by brewing your preferred beverage and getting to work on your inbox or one of your more involved projects. Having the home to yourself will allow you to do many tasks.
Take a break
The length of time you can keep going indefinitely is limited. If you’re serious about getting things done, schedule frequent pauses to let your brain (and body) rest and recuperate. Every hour, pause and stretch your legs, drink water, or pet your dog.
Take longer pauses to socialize with other people a couple of times a day. Spend 20 minutes engaging in any kind of family-oriented activity, such as playing with children, taking a stroll with a partner or pet, or talking to elderly relatives. Get your mind off work for a while to refuel your energy reserves.
Stick to a routine.
When you don’t have to go to and set up shop in an actual workplace, your workday may be organized in various ways. Establishing regular habits may have profoundly beneficial effects.
It will help you increase your productivity and motivation levels.
Choose the one item that will remind you that you are about to begin work. It could be as straightforward as brewing tea in the morning, returning home after walking the dog, or washing, applying cosmetics, and dressing. Choose one action you already do that helps you feel prepared for work, and keep doing it.
Use productivity tools
Here are just a few of the helpful productivity tools, both online and off, to help you get off to a good start when working from home:
- Use a desk or a desk converter to get your blood pumping and reduce the strain of sitting for long periods.
- The success or failure of your at-home office depends on the quality of your chair. A back pad and seat cushion might also be helpful if you’re short on money or room.
- You can use an egg timer to help you concentrate for extended periods. If it won’t be too distracting, use a timer on your electronic device.
Many more resources are available online such as pdf editing tools, but here is a handful that can be used from the comfort of your home to boost your productivity. Additionally, your business might invest in organizational tools such as chat rooms or software for project management to ensure that remote workers remain in constant contact with one another.
Use the right equipment.
Making sure you have all the essentials for productive at-home work is one of the most crucial remote work recommendations. Many companies may supply you with a laptop and other IT equipment, which is a huge help, but you may still need several additional items for an efficient and pleasant home office.
To provide just one example, you need personalized Wi-Fi. You want to be able to continue if your profession includes a lot of digital material and needs a continual connection to the Internet. Noise-canceling headphones with a high-quality microphone are another option to help eliminate background noise and simplify video chats.
Working from home may be much more pleasant with the correct tools, such as an extra monitor and an ergonomic keyboard.
Listen to podcasts and music.
Podcasts have a lot going for them since they may be interesting to listen to. Unfortunately, I can’t listen to a podcast while composing an email, concentrating on a problematic thought problem, or writing. That’s why I often use my phone to listen to instrumental music without vocals.
If you prefer music to the hum of your air conditioner, listen to podcasts while you perform mindless work, and listen to instrumental music when you want a rhythm to work to.
One option is using a pair of noise-canceling headphones, but you could blast your tunes through the speakers instead.
Invest in a high-quality speaker, which is both rugged and compact. You should discuss noise levels if you and your coworker share a home office.
Be organized
Make a list of everything you need to complete today and give yourself a realistic and workable amount of time to do each action. Make a list of tasks in descending order of importance, using your best judgment so you know what to do first.
Make it a habit to keep track of your forthcoming events in the weeks and months ahead and the daily task lists you maintain for yourself to complete. If you make it a practice to use a planner, it can help you keep track of deadlines, appointments, and meetings, and it may also assist you in maintaining a good balance between your professional and personal life.
Always participate in online training.
Participate in the company-sponsored training and education programs if they are available. Consider enrolling in additional online courses or training programs to help you develop your abilities and grow in your chosen field. Motivating yourself to achieve sometimes requires learning new things and expanding your knowledge base in your field.
Reward yourself
Take advantage of your company’s training programs if they exist. It’s also a good idea to look into additional online training or courses that may help you improve your abilities and develop in your chosen profession. Keeping yourself motivated to achieve may be as simple as learning new skills and expanding your understanding of the business.
Final Thoughts
One option is to use a pair of noise-canceling headphones, but you could blast your tunes through the speakers instead. Invest in a JBL speaker, which is both rugged and compact. You should discuss noise levels if you and your coworker share a home office.
However, it’s important to remember that, despite the potential for isolation, working from home provides many advantages and prospects for a successful and fulfilling work experience.
When developing a routine that helps you succeed, it’s crucial to remember your requirements and sources of motivation. Use our suggestions to maximize your time while working from home.
AUTHOR
Jennysis Lajom is an IT graduate, a chemist, an eCommerce business owner, and a Korean drama fan. Her passion for digital marketing led her to a career in graphic design, editing, and social media marketing. She is also one of the resident SEO writers from Softvire, a leading IT distributor in Sydney. Follow her at Softvire Software Store now!
