We’re all aware of the many advantages that come with working from home; you don’t have to waste precious time on the commute, you can stay in your comfy sweats rather than change into uncomfortable suits, and you can work alongside your furry friend all day – to name a few! However, if you’ve ever worked from home, you know that maintaining productivity throughout the day when you’re in a more relaxed environment – such as your home – can sometimes be challenging. Here are five tips on how to maintain productivity while working from home!
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#1: Routinely Get Up Early
Stop hitting the snooze button! Early birds have better quality sleep compared to night owls because they have higher chances of completing all stages of the required sleep cycle. This means that they will wake up with more energy. If you need help starting this habit, start gradually, waking up 15 minutes earlier than you typically do and increasing it from thereon. This new habit should be solidified within 30-60 days.
#2: Make a To-Do List Every Day
To-Do lists are one of the most popular tools for increasing productivity. If you’re not regularly using To-Do lists, consider starting them with these tips. First, analyze your schedule and determine if a daily, weekly, or more sporadic to-do list makes sense for your needs. Next, list your tasks, with each task beginning with an action verb (4) (e.g., mop the floor, sanitize the dining tables). Then, organize your to-do list based on the priority level of the task. Now, you can mark off completed tasks with satisfaction! You may even want to create your to-do lists on your phone so that you can carry it around with you and avoid paper waste. Some apps that can help you include: Todoist, TickTick, Microsoft To Do, Google Tasks, Things, and Habitica.
#3: Prepare breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks
When you’re at home it can be tempting to spend time preparing a nice breakfast and lunch for yourself (and your family), but that can take away from precious and productive early day minutes of your workday. Consider preparing meals and snacks the night before or on weekends in bulk. Not only will this give you more time during the workday to be productive, but it can also save you money and calories in the long-run.
#4: Craft a dedicated workspace
Setting up a dedicated workspace in your home allows you to better focus, mentally gets you into a work mode, minimizes distractions, and help you to create a work/life balance while working from home. Wherever you decide to create a workstation, make sure it allows for privacy to make calls, you have access to natural light, and you aren’t in the middle of other people’s activities in your household. Also be sure to keep it clutter free!
#5: Take Breaks
Take a break every hour or two to recharge. To maximize your productivity, make the most of your breaks. For example, you could go for a walk outside. Research shows that even a short workout can boost energy levels just as much or more than a cup of coffee and without the jitters (6)! Try meditating. Even a quick mini-meditation or breathing break can give your brain a break from the task at hand and get back to it later with a calmer, fresh perspective (6). You might also try video chatting with a friend which can keep you feeling connected and reduce the feeling of loneliness. With so many options out there, don’t waste your time watching silly cat videos on YouTube, be smart about your sacred break times!