Working from home can be challenging especially if you have a family. Maybe you’ve shifted to remote work in the last two years or maybe you’ve always worked from home. Either way, we all know the struggle of remote work. And yes, it has its benefits. But when you work from home the lines can get blurry. While you’re working, you might be worrying about the dishes in the sink, or the dinner you haven’t prepared yet, and over time that can be pretty taxing. I’ve been working from home for a while now and over the years I’ve picked up some strategies to make life easier. In today’s post I’ll be sharing 8 work from home tips to increase productivity.
Tips to Successfully Work from Home
Establish a morning routine
Let’s be honest, we’ve all rolled out of bed 5 minutes before our Zoom call. And yeah, that works, but having a morning routine is an easy way to make you feel more productive. Personally, having a morning routine makes me feel like I have my life together, and that’s important because your mindset is everything.
And don’t think it has to be an hour-long routine where you wake up at 5 am, go for a walk, and meditate. Having a morning routine can be anything that makes you feel prepared to take on the day. That can be as simple as making yourself a cup of coffee or doing your skincare routine.
Create a work schedule
My second tip for working at home is to create a work schedule. This is extremely important if you’re a content creator or someone who doesn’t have a traditional 9-5. Having a work schedule keeps you accountable and it will simulate a traditional work environment. That way you can feel like you’re in an office even if you’re at home in your pajamas.
If you’re having trouble creating a work schedule, think about getting a planner. Planners are a great productivity tool. And if you don’t know which one to buy, check out my blog post on the 10 Best Productivity Planners to Help You Get Stuff Done.
OTHER WORK AT HOME TIP POSTS TO READ
- 7Productivity Power Tips for Busy Work at Home Moms
- 9 Best Productivity Planners to Help You Get Stuff Done
- Time Management Tools and Techniques you Need to Conquer Your Day
Set clear goals
When working from home, there’s no boss or supervisor there to make sure you meet your objectives. There’s a lot of goal setting when it comes to working from home. And in order to achieve them, you must set clear goals.
A good tip for goal setting is to set S.M.A.R.T goals. S.M.A.R.T stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based.
Every morning, or before you go to bed, think about what you have to accomplish in terms of these five variables. This way you have clear objectives to achieve every day.
Use time management techniques
Even if we set clear goals and make a work schedule, we’re human and we waste time. That’s where time management comes in. In a typical 9-5 you have a set number of hours to get stuff done, and if you can manage your time in the office you can manage your time while working at home.
An easy way to do this is through the use of time management tools. There are a plethora of tools you can use and if you need some help figuring it out, I have a whole post dedicated to time management tools and techniques you need to conquer your day.
Designate a workspace
My fifth tip for working at home is to designate a workspace. Whether it’s the dining room table or your couch, pick a space and make it your own. Ideally, your workspace should be somewhere separate from where you sleep but you can create a workspace anywhere.
If you live with others, it is also important to let them know where and when you plan on working. Designating your workspace can also include lighting a candle, turning on some music, and eliminating distractions. Anything that prepares you for productivity.
Take breaks
Kids aren’t the only ones who need naptime. Breaks are essential in preventing burnout, and they give us a chance to rest our bodies and our minds. When working from home, it can be easy to get so distracted that you go hours without even standing up. That’s why it’s important to take a few minutes to get up and step away.
Breaks can also reduce stress. After a few hours give yourself some time away from your work. It may be hard, but you should never feel bad for taking a break. Instead, think of your breaks as a chance to accomplish other goals, such as nourishing your body.
Stay organized
Once you’ve picked a workspace, it’s important to keep it clean and organized. Clutter can distract you and make you feel overwhelmed. This will hinder your productivity. Some simple organization methods you can do while working from home include:
- Keeping your desktop organized
- Contain loose papers in a folder or filing cabinet
- Tidy up your workspace every night before bed
Prioritize your tasks
My last tip for working at home is to prioritize your tasks. Similar to setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, prioritizing your goals means that you tackle your most important tasks first. If you can’t decide what tasks are the most important, think of your ROI.
ROI stands for Return On Investment, which is a ratio of income vs. investment. So, you should ask yourself, is this task going to lead to a better income? Could this task be handled later?
For example, if you make the majority of your income through affiliate marketing. Writing a Gift Guide blog post would have a better ROI than making a TikTok.
Those were my 8 work from home tips to increase productivity. I hope you found my tips helpful to your work form journey, and I hope they increase your productivity.
Feel free to leave a comment down below of any tips you may have about increasing your productivity while working at home.
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