Although working from home might seem like a dream set-up, it can quickly become a nightmare if you’re not careful. It’s not easy to transition from working at an office to working from your couches or on kitchen tables. Here are some proven tips to help you stay productive while working remotely:
Create a dedicated home office
Although every corner of your home has the potential to be a working space, it’s best to designate a single area for working. Personalize it with stylish and functional office furniture which is readily available in Salt Lake City. Choose pieces that suit your individual working style and help you work more efficiently. You might even want to add elements that make you feel calm or inspired rather than stressed out, like candles, fresh flowers, or warm lighting.
Create a daily schedule and follow it
Even if you have the freedom to report to work at any time and at your own pace, it’s important to plan out your daily schedule so that you can keep yourself accountable and on track with your workload. Make sure to establish a strict yet reasonable start time, break period, and clock out time. Following a rigorous daily routine will fool your brain into thinking you’re still reporting to the office which will encourage you to be productive.
Get ready in the morning
Don’t fall into the trap of staying in your pajamas all day with your television on in the background. Get ready for the working day just as you would if you were reporting to the office. You don’t need to get dressed in office wear, but don’t stay in your loungewear. Whether it’s preparing breakfast and a cup of coffee first thing in the morning or writing down a to-do list for the day, try to follow the same daily routine that you usually do to get into the right mindset.
Declutter your space
Get rid of potential distractions that remind you of anything else but work. Your dedicated working area should be clutter-free. A clean and orderly space will reduce stress and help you to stay focused on whatever it is you need to accomplish for the day.
Take frequent breaks
Focusing on work without a period of rest can be incredibly draining. When you don’t take enough breaks, you’ll have a much harder time focusing on the rest of your tasks. The best way to curb mental fatigue while still maintaining productivity is by adopting the Pomodoro Method. This technique requires you to work on a task for 25 minutes, then take a short break for five minutes before starting another 25-minute session. After four Pomodoro sessions, you’ll take a longer 30-minute break to rest.
Prioritize more demanding and important tasks first
Create a to-do list with everything you need to accomplish for the day then rank these tasks according to how important and urgent they are. When you get the most urgent items done first, you’ll have more time and energy to do your less important tasks while also keeping your stress levels at a minimum.
Make the most of your work from home arrangement by creating an environment that is conducive to productivity.
