Work From Home – 10 Ways To Stay Productive
We all know that in today’s fast-paced work environment, being productive as you work from home is more important than ever. There’s distractions left right and centre, and a little procrastination can linger longer thank you might think! With many people also working remotely, or juggling multiple responsibilities, finding ways to stay focused and efficient can make all the difference to succeed. In this listicle, here’s ten practical life hacks that are designed to greaten productivity for those who work from home, entrepreneurs, and small business owners alike.
1. Utilise Time Blocking to Manage Your Day Effectively
Time blocking when used correctly is a powerful strategy that allows you to allocate specific blocks of time to different tasks throughout your day. By setting aside dedicated periods for focused work, meetings, and breaks, you can minimise distractions and ensure you’re making progress on important tasks. Start by creating a schedule that outlines your tasks for the week. Tools like a calendar or simple notepad can help you plan and stick to your time blocks.
2. The Pomodoro Technique – Enhance Focus and Avoid Burnout As You Work From Home
The Pomodoro Technique is a popular time management method that encourages work in short, focused bursts, followed by short brief breaks. This method involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. This cycle is repeated until you’ve completed four sessions, after which you take a longer break. Studies have shown that frequent breaks can actually improve mental agility, helping you stay sharp throughout the day and keeping you productive! Take it for a test run when you work from home!
3. The Power of a Well-Organised Workspace for Mental Clarity
Ever looked at your desk and noticed it’s a dumping ground? Believe it or not, a cluttered desk can lead to a cluttered mind! Keeping your workspace neat, tidy and organised can significantly enhance your ability to concentrate and process information efficiently. Start by decluttering your desk, keeping only essential items within reach. Consider investing in ergonomic furniture to improve comfort, which can also boost your productivity over time – you don’t want a sore back from a chair that isn’t designed to be used all day!
4. The “Two-Minute Rule”
David Allen suggests that if something will take less than two minutes to complete, do it as soon as you can (aka, now!). This will help your small mundane tasks from puling up and making your to-do list look bigger than it should. Whether it’s responding to an email or putting files away, keeping those tasks at bay can maintain a clear mindset, keeping you ready to tackle the next to-do as you work from home.
5. The Benefits of Setting SMART Goals for Your Projects
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By clearly defining your objectives, you can create a roadmap for success. For example, I wouldn’t complete a task over a 24-hour period if I know it’s going to take longer to finish, so i’ll give myself an extra 24-48 hours as a buffer for those ‘what-ifs’. This specificity helps you focus your efforts and track your progress effectively – and if you do get to complete it faster than anticipated, even better!
I also schedule my work based on when it’s due, allowing me to visually see where they sit during the week – it means you don’t panic with a long, unachievable list. Everybody is different, so here’s how I sometimes lay it out to keep being productive –
- Urgent and important (i’ll prioritise these)
- Important but not urgent (i’ll pen these for a date in the next little while)
- Urgent but not important (these will generally sit mid-end of the week)
- Neither urgent nor important (i’ll either re-asses whether it’s important and still needs attention, or eliminate altogether, pushing it to a date further down the track)
7. Technology Boosts Productivity
Technology can be a make or break when you work from home, but can considerably enhance you being productive. With ‘an app for everything’, these tools are designed to streamline various aspects of your work. They can help project manage, or even help communicate to broader teams (like Slack or Zoom).
8. Regular Breaks and How to Schedule Them Effectively – A Work From Home MUST!
Taking regular breaks is essential for maintaining productivity and preventing burnout. Research indicates that short, frequent breaks lead to higher productivity levels. Schedule small breaks throughout your day to recharge – if you’re at home, a quick walk around the house to do those few-minute chores (still got that coffee cup sitting on the desk?) or a quick refill of the water bottle and desk cleanup. You can also use apps like Stretchly or Time Out to remind you to pause and relax. And remember – as you work from home, time flies – you’ll find yourself working a little longer than usual.
9. Tips for a Productive Morning Routine to Start Your Day Right
A routine that’s stuck to sets the tone for the rest of your day, keeping you productive. Try to wake up at the same time every day, with light exercise and eating a healthy breakfast. If you don’t have time, that’s more than ok, you can always do this later in the morning if it’s quiet! Spend a few minutes looking over your day, and prioritise your tasks – if you establish your routine, it reduces fatigue and enhances focus.
10. Don’t Overthink It
Keep things nice and simple – the more you complicate, the more you are going to feel the pinch!
What tips and tricks do you have when you work from home?
