How to Stick to a Schedule Even While Working From Home
Having a schedule is important, and even more so when you’re working from home. Here are a few tips to ensure you’re maintaining productivity while working out of the office.
COVID-19 has dramatically increased the number of people that work from home. A Stanford study estimates about 42 percent of the population currently works from home, and that trend is expected to rise in the coming years. Nonetheless, you probably know that working at home also comes with a price. You now have to work in the same place that you dine, sleep, and spend time with family in, which can challenge your focus and self-control.
Therefore, even if you don’t have Zoom calls lined up throughout the day, here are a few key reasons why you need a schedule even while you’re working from home.
Incorporate Lunch Breaks
The first step to sticking to a schedule is to ensure that you give yourself ample time to relax and recharge. In fact, many studies show that prolonged attention to one task can actually hinder performance. Therefore, start by creating a lunch break and ensuring you take the lunch break on time. You may also want to give yourself a 15-minute break in the morning and afternoon. During these breaks, consider getting up and moving around as this can improve your concentration.
Get an Accountability Buddy
If you are a freelancer or entrepreneur and don't have a boss, it can be even more challenging to get work done. Therefore, consider getting an accountability buddy. Studies show that using an accountability buddy makes you 95 percent more likely to achieve your goal. If you don't have an accountability buddy yet, ask a friend you trust if you can text them each week to let them know you achieved your goal. While you can also pay online services for an accountability buddy, it's usually more effective if the person is someone you know.
Do The Hardest Task First
Another great productivity hack is to always start with the hardest task first. Research also supports this, showing that while you may feel better in the short term by doing easier tasks, it ultimately doesn't pay off in the long run. If you find yourself procrastinating by starting anything, try to break down the challenging task. For example, if the challenging task is to write a long article, tell yourself to finish just the first paragraph by 9 a.m. This will help build momentum and encourage you to keep going.
Give Yourself a Reward
Rather than promising yourself that you'll work until 11 p.m every night, give yourself a break once you've accomplished your goal for the day. While it's important to have a schedule that enables you to remain productive, you'll start to feel like you're on a hamster wheel if you never have an off switch. It can also put a strain on your family life if you're constantly asking people to be quiet or never spending time with loved ones. Therefore, it’s important to try to end your workday at a reasonable hour.
Working at home in your pajamas may seem like a dream come true, but it also comes with added responsibilities and will test your willpower. Rather than trying to strengthen your willpower, consider how you can set yourself up for success. Try out these tips and, if you mess up, you can always restart tomorrow.
Brad Wayland is the Chief Strategy Officer at BlueCotton, a site with high-quality, easy-to-design custom t-shirts.