Work From Home Tips: Managing Time and Prioritizing Tasks
Working from home can be a great way to increase flexibility and balance work and personal life, but it can also be challenging to stay productive and motivated. With so many distractions, it can be difficult to maintain a clear focus and get the work done. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 7 essential work from home tips to help you increase productivity and motivation. I’ve also included a cheeky bonus tip as well. These tips cover everything from creating a productive work space, to managing time and prioritizing tasks, to staying focused and avoiding distractions. By implementing these tips, you’ll be able to work more efficiently, stay motivated and make the most of your work from home experience.
There are so many working from home tips that you can take advantage of. These are the ones that really helped me. If I hadn’t made these changes, I don’t know how I would be coping today. I may have even gone back into an office… what a thought?!
Create a Dedicated Workspace
When working from home, you might be tempted to set yourself up in front of the TV, or perhaps the dinner table. This is ok if you are only working from home every now and then. But it won’t do your productivity or your back any good in the long run.
Create a dedicated workspace with a proper desk and supportive chair. You won’t need a lot of space, even a corner is good enough. Set yourself a dedicated workspace in your house that you can go to and get your work hammered out.
When working from home you can plan your day as you wish unless of course, you are doing set hours. Don’t use this as an excuse to not set yourself up for the day. Get up at a suitable time and get ready as if you are going to an office. By acting like you are going to work it will get you into the correct mental space to have a productive day.
Structure Your Day
It’s tempting to pick up work every now and then when working from home. This could be the reason why you want to work from home in the first place!
Sadly you won’t be very productive if you do this. I found this out the hard way! Since structuring my day, my productivity levels have gone up. I now split my day like this… 9 A.M.- 12 noon client work, 12 noon – 1 P.M. lunch, 1 P.M. – 2 P.M. general admin work, 3 P.M. – 6 P.M. client work, 6 P.M. finish work.
Set Limits
Establishing clear working hours is an important aspect of setting limits and boundaries. By determining a set schedule for when you will begin and end work each day, you can better manage your time and focus on work during those hours. This can help to prevent overworking and burnout, which can negatively impact productivity and motivation.
It’s also important to set boundaries between your work life and personal life. This can involve setting specific times for checking email, setting up a dedicated workspace, and creating a schedule for when you will take breaks. These boundaries can help to reduce distractions and increase focus, making it easier to get work done.
It’s important to communicate your working hours and boundaries to others, especially if you’re working with a team, so they can respect them.
It’s also important to stick to these limits and boundaries, even when working from home. It can be easy to become distracted and procrastinate, but by maintaining a set schedule and clear boundaries, you can stay on task and increase productivity and motivation.
It’s important to remember that this process takes time and consistency, to establish a new routine that works for you.
Take Breaks
This seems obvious but it’s easy not to take breaks during the day. At times you can work more hours at home than you would in the office.
Your eyes, your back, and mind need a break. Taking 5 minutes every hour to get a water, coffee or bite to eat, will not only get you moving but it will also give you some clarity. We all know that we need some clarity to become productive.
Incorporate Mindfulness Practices such as Meditation or Yoga into your Morning Routine
Incorporating mindfulness practices such as meditation or yoga into your morning routine can be a great way to increase productivity and motivation while working from home.
Meditation is a practice of training the mind to focus, and be more aware of the present moment. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and increase feelings of calm and well-being. By starting your day with a few minutes of meditation, you can set the tone for a more productive and focused workday.
Yoga is another mindfulness practice that can be beneficial for those working from home. It is a practice of physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Yoga can help to improve flexibility, strength, and balance, as well as reduce stress and improve mental clarity. By incorporating yoga into your morning routine, you can improve your physical and mental well-being, increase energy levels, and boost productivity and motivation.
It’s important to find the right practice that works for you, there are plenty of resources online for guided meditation, yoga classes and even apps that can help you start and incorporate these practices into your daily routine.
It’s important to remember that incorporating mindfulness practices into your morning routine takes time and consistency to see the benefits, so try to make it a daily habit.
Stay Connected
Technology is a wonderful thing. You can stay connected with people all around the world at any time of the day. This means there is no excuse to not stay in the loop with colleagues. Make sure you check in throughout the day.
If you are working freelance, join some freelance networks. This is where you can ask questions and join some conversations. Believe me, feeling like part of a team, will make you more productive.
Background Noise
This working from home tip may sound counterproductive but get some background noise. When I first started, I went from a loud sales floor to a silent flat. The silence was very distracting. It may sound odd, but I had spent so much time in a noisy environment that it was hard to focus on the silence.
By putting the TV, YouTube, or Netflix on a low volume, it brought back the comforting background noise, I desperately craved.
Work From Home Tips – Bonus Tip: Just Get Out Of The House
It can get old when I’m not traveling and I’m at home with only the dogs and my husband to talk to. This is exactly when I start to get cabin fever and feel like I struggle to communicate with other people. At this point, my productivity takes a nosedive. That is when I know I need to work out of the house.
I tend to try and work from a shared working space or a cafe once a week. It allows me to feel like a human being again and feel inspired by who I speak to and what I see.
Working from a coffee shop, park or other place outside of your home can be a great way to break up the monotony of working in the same place every day. Being in a different environment can stimulate the mind, and provide a change of scenery that can be refreshing and energizing.
Working from a coffee shop can provide a different ambiance and background noise that can help to stimulate creativity, and concentration. Parks and outdoor spaces can provide a change of scenery and fresh air that can help to improve mood and well-being.
When you change your environment, it’s important to remember to take all the necessary equipment and supplies with you, so you can work efficiently. Also, make sure to choose a place that is comfortable and that you find inspiring.
Conclusion
Working from home can be a great way to increase flexibility and balance work and personal life, but it can also be challenging to stay productive and motivated. By implementing work from home tips such as creating a productive work space, managing time and prioritizing tasks, staying focused, and avoiding distractions, you can increase your productivity and motivation. Additionally, incorporating mindfulness practices such as meditation or yoga into your morning routine, changing your environment, setting limits and boundaries, and establishing clear working hours can make a big difference in how you feel and what you accomplish throughout the day. Remember, consistency is key, and every person is different, so it’s important to find what works for you and stick to it. By following these tips, you will be able to work more efficiently, stay motivated and make the most of your work from home experience.
Any tips I missed, let me know!