Regardless of whether you’re a freelancer, graphic designer, or an employee, working from home can be one of the most worthwhile experiences of your profession. The autonomy and freedom we attain in remote work are incomparable to any other way of working. On the other hand, it is equally frustrating and challenging because of the distraction existing in your house. With no built-in framework that regulates our productivity at offices, things tend to get out of control. To figure out when, where, and how to work and create boundaries between work and life, here are the following four ways to increase productivity at work from home.
1. Eliminate Distractions
Your house is brimming with fun and exciting stuff to tempt you. Removing all the distractions is probably one of the best things you can do to improve productivity. Whether it’s a good book, Call of Duty, or your roommates that won’t leave you alone- these distractions completely break your efficiency and focus. It makes work from home difficult and tiring.
Using just your willpower to fight off these desires isn’t enough. It only ends up depleting your energy. However, getting rid of all the tempting stuff beforehand diverts your focus to work as it suddenly becomes the most stimulating thing in your surroundings. Next, make sure your phone is out of sight; all the social media tabs are turned off. It’s also preferred to do your work in a relaxing and quiet place.
2. Schedule your Days
Organizing your daily and weekly tasks makes remote work effective. Without a proper schedule, you will wander around every day. It allows procrastination to creep in, and a plan lacking clarity opens space for doubt and resistance. Rather, create a solid daily plan- one that you can easily carry out. It helps in maintaining your limited decision-making energy throughout the day and assists you work with more focus and dedication.
But don’t go too extreme and schedule your every minute. Sketch a rough and flexible outline of your day. It gives you a better indication of what your day will look like and whether it’s going to be effective or not. Also, assign a tentative time slot to each task, but do not micromanage. Leave a room for buffer time to unwind and relax.
3. Designate Workspace
Though it seems enjoyable to work from your cozy bed or couch, try setting up something more professional. Whether it’s a makeshift workspace in the dining room or an actual desk/ workplace in your house. Ideally, it should have a door to shut out all the obstacles. Additionally, make sure you have all the basic supplies you need, from a desktop to headphones to notebooks. Now, you don’t have to get up repeatedly and lose your productivity!
Here’s a secret: we tend to and are more productive and active at offices because there is little to no mess. Clutter limits your brain’s ability to adhere to information correctly. It’s about time you start tidying up your place! Additionally, add a splash of colors in the form of a frame or a mug of your choice. Moreover, a little leafy plant in the corner or a picture of the ocean will look great.
4. To-do and Not-To-Do List
At the end of every workday, jot down the tasks you wanted to finish the following day and add their separate deadlines. Remember to include any gatherings and calls to keep yourself on track. Now that your to-do list is done, make a not-to-do list. It will feature all the time-wasters and obstacles you have to avoid, from checking your Instagram to clicking on cat memes. Apps like LeechBlock and RescueTime allow access to block certain websites for a specified time limit.
Since your boss is not behind you all the time, that cannot stop you from being productive! Creating both a to-do and a not-to-do list will help remind you what to avoid and what not to avoid. This way, you can opt for the tasks that require your time and need to be done at the earliest. In contrast, you can delay those tasks that are not urgent.
Above all else, figure out what suits you best. Take inspiration and motivation from other remote workers through online blogs, Twitter, etc. Want to make the most out of this article? Pick two tips and implement them now. Knowing how to increase productivity isn’t enough. It is time you take action.