The benefits of working from home are well-known by now. On the other hand, the lack of company, home distractions, and general stressors involved in growing a business or career this way can make it tough to stay productive.
But like all challenges in life, it’s a task that’s not impossible to overcome. The following are three tips for improving productivity when working from home. All can be adopted with great ease. Do it long enough, they will become second nature to you too.
1 Create a Schedule
A schedule is essential to staying productive when working from home. It is not at all tough to create one; all you need to do is to list your work hours and set a daily routine for yourself.
Doing so helps you remember what needs to be done at different times of the day. It will also help you prioritize tasks and adjust when necessary.
When writing your schedule, be sure to factor in breaks between work sessions too. Never forget to allocate time for meals and other errands throughout the day. It’s always important not to overwork or neglect certain aspects of life just because you’re working remotely.
On top of taking scheduled breaks, it’s good practice as well to plan at least one “meeting” each week with another colleague or team member – face-to-face if possible – so that they are aware of how things are going. You can use such opportunities to request help if needed.
Last but not least, be sure to go outside! If possible, consider taking a walk around the block or having lunch with your spouse/friends at least once per week.
Getting some fresh air is an integral part of staying healthy when WFM – both mentally and physically. Other than being helpful for productivity, a change of environment can help you think outside the box and come up with new ideas.
2 Take Time Out for Yourself
As tempting as it might be to work every hour of the day, don’t forget that you will need time for yourself.
In fact, no one can stay sane without some regular me-time.
Whether it’s going out and having a drink with friends after work or simply watching something on Netflix during your lunch break, such downtime aids in improving efficiency and productivity for all forms of work. If possible, you can also plan ahead by doing things like shopping or cleaning at certain fixed times to ensure such household chores do not get in the way of your other breaks.
Even cleaning up your digital workspace could be a break of sorts! For example, if you’re always online, you could consider cleaning your Mac with CleanMyMac X – a real mac cleaner app.
On another note, do remember to limit distractions when working, i.e., when break time is over. Turn off social media notifications and redirect phone calls to voicemail if possible. You can always attend to these after you have finished what needs to be done.
3 Find an Accountability Partner
Working from home can be lonely at times, so it’s helpful to have an accountability partner. One could even say this is a must for sustained productivity.
If you know someone who’s also working remotely or running their own businesses, consider sharing your schedule with them. This way, they will know when you are available for meetings and conversations throughout the week. They can also provide you with much-needed encouragement.
What’s more, sharing your work plan with someone else ensures neither of you will feel too overwhelmed by work on any given day, if only because there’s someone to talk to. Vice versa, your accountability partner can hold you accountable when needed.
To give an example, if you are trying to lose weight, your accountability partner will remind you never to give in to that extra cookie, because it goes against the diet plan that the two of you have agreed on. As annoying as this might sound, it does wonders in keeping you on track.
Conclusion
To conclude, staying productive while working remotely requires a schedule, restful downtime, and an accountability partner.
Remember to take regular breaks throughout the day too. Never forget to go outside and get fresh air as well.
Taking time out for yourself is especially crucial! Don’t neglect friends or family just because your home is now your workplace. With some fine-tuning, you can enjoy the conveniences of both worlds in one spot.
