Small Ways to Stay Productive When Working from Home
What’s your favorite way to stay productive when you work from home? | Photo by Thom Holmes on Unsplash
Many benefits come with working from home, which appeals to those who'd rather not spend time in an office or undergoing a daily commute. However, there are also challenges. Remote employees must learn how to structure their time and prioritize tasks on their own, without the office environment encouraging them.
It's a challenge to get the most from your day. If you're home-based worker, consider the six time management tips below. You'll establish a productive routine and boost your efficiency in no time.
1. Create a Useful To-Do List
Do you sit down every morning, glance at your calendar and write out a to-do list? If so, your efforts might cause more harm than good.
What do you put on your to-do list? Likely projects and responsibilities. Complex tasks that require objectives and deadlines. Don't wait until a big project leaves you quaking in your cubicle. Instead, break it down into smaller goals you can accomplish throughout the day. Aim for a small number and don’t overwhelm yourself with more than three things, leaving you room for those questions that pop up from your remote team.
2. Block Your Distractions
While you're at work, you may get distracted by social media or the ever-scrolling news. In fact, you might not realize you're procrastinating until you're 10 minutes into your newsfeed so natural is that default action. According to one survey, 36% of millennials and Gen Zers claim they spend two or more hours looking at their phones during the workday.
Download an app or computer software to block online distractions. Once you clock out for the day, you can turn it off. Once you find the right program for you, add the names of all the sites you visit too frequently. Or go all out and delete those distracting apps from your phone entirely. They help with anxiety and can improve a lot in your day-to-day.
3. Give Yourself a Time-Frame to Troubleshoot
Your daily routine may feel like it never changes. However, little challenges pop up each day that teach us something new. Learning new skills is excellent, except when it sucks up your work time.
Instead of dwelling on a problem for ten, fifteen or thirty minutes, use a student study strategy and limit yourself to three minutes per question. For example, say you can't figure out how to attach a gif to an email. After three minutes, move on to another task or ask someone for help.
4. Listen to Your Body
When people work in an office, they follow the same schedule each day. Unfortunately, most people can't maximize efficiency with this routine. As a remote worker, you can listen to your body. Which hours are you most alert? When do you feel most productive?
Fit your work schedule around your body's natural rhythms. If you need to get sleep, start an hour late. Have a doctor's appointment in the evening? Then get a headstart. With this practice, you can use your time efficiently and get more done.
5. Enjoy a Lunch Break
Do you enjoy pushing through a tight schedule to get work done? For many, it's exhilarating to end the day knowing you've hit peak productivity. At the same time, it's an easy way to experience burnout, which never leads to anything good.
Put your work on pause each day to enjoy a proper lunch break. Studies show workers in the U.S. who take a lunch break every day score higher in job satisfaction, likelihood to stick with the company and likelihood to recommend the employer. Stepping away from the desk can prove more effective than using a to-do list. If you don't feel comfortable taking two breaks a day, move your morning break to noon to spur renewed energy.
6. Pretend You Drive to Work
When you work from home, you eliminate your commute. With this added freedom, many jump into work as soon as they woke up. While you might get more done at first, you'll quickly wear out and lose focus. An energy crash leads to decreased efficiency and lower quality work.
Instead, pretend you drive to work. Wake up early enough to shower, get ready and eat a healthy breakfast. Go for a jog, watch the morning news, meditate, or even journal. A morning routine is an easy way to gain the focus and energy needed to accomplish your goals.
Do You Work From Home? Learn to Stay Flexible
Working from home allows you to use your time how you choose. However, it's easy to get stuck in time-wasting habits. Stay flexible with your daily routine and use the time management tips above.
Cut out desk distractions with a handy silencing app. Listen to your body's needs and take breaks when needed. Plus, you should also create a wakeup routine — enough to get some coffee and think about the day ahead. You got this.
Guest blogger Kayla Matthews’ writes about personal and professional development topics and has been featured on The Muse, Inc.com, HR Daily Advisor and MakeUseOf. To read more from Kayla, please visit her blog,Productivity Theory.