man maintaining productivity when working from home

Business &amp; Branding

Business &amp; Branding Archives

Stay ahead in business: strategies and insights for success

<p>Many of us are spending a lot more time at home right now. When we’d usually be reporting to our desks, we’re finding ourselves on our couches or at our kitchen tables, trying to complete to-do lists without the built-in discipline of an office environment. The productivity expectations are the same, but the environment when you work from home is not. And it’s <a href="https://www.betterup.com/blog/challenges-of-working-from-home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">not always an easy transition</a>. </p>



<p>The key to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/working-remotely-heres-how-to-do-it-right/">work-from-home success</a> is to create an environment that allows you to focus on the tasks at hand. Whether you are working from home for the first time or just need a quick refresher, here are some tips for creating a functional but productive work area at home:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-select-a-space-based-on-your-needs">1. Select a space based on your needs.</h2>



<p>The home office serves a great purpose, but it isn’t for everybody all the time. Would you like to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/12-creativity-hacks/">fuel your creativity</a>, or do you prefer a quiet environment for crunching numbers? You may find yourself curled up on the sofa one day and at the dining table the next, depending on the project. Determine how you usually divide your day. For example, are you more creative in the morning? You may want to spend that time writing or brainstorming ideas for your latest project. The afternoons, then, could be a more relaxed time spent sitting on the sofa, sifting through emails and completing the rest of your tasks for the workday.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-declutter-to-boost-work-from-home-productivity">2. Declutter to boost work-from-home productivity.</h2>



<p>Whether you work in a home office, kitchen or living room, if there’s “stuff” laying around, your eyes will go there and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/still-procrastinating/202106/the-psychological-consequences-clutter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">you’ll get distracted</a>. Whenever you work from home, claim a clutter-free zone to help yourself <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/stay-on-track-for-productivity/">stay productive and focused</a> on your workload.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-get-ready-for-the-day">3. Get ready for the day.</h2>



<p>You might think that working from home means sitting around in pajamas with the television on in the background, but just like in an office setting, you have to set yourself up for success. Get ready as you would if you were going into the office. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/this-7-step-morning-routine-helped-me-build-a-billion-dollar-brand/">Set a morning ritual</a> of getting dressed (no pajamas!), making your morning cup of coffee and doing whatever else you need to get in the right mindset. You may also want to jot down your work to-do list for the day.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-put-yourself-in-a-good-position-to-maximize-productivity-when-working-from-home">4. Put yourself in a good position to maximize productivity when working from home.</h2>



<p>Some people find it easy to work in bed or on the sofa. In either case, if you’re not sitting at a table, make sure you’ve got a small one within easy reach. You might not have a host of paperwork strewn out in front of you, but you will benefit from having the space to set a glass of water and your phone. Coffee tables and side tables fit the bill for any time you need extra space. You can also use a c-table to prop your laptop up to eye level and reduce strain on your neck.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In addition to finding a surface space, you’ll want to make sure to keep your posture in check. Prop yourself up with a few throw pillows to help maintain proper body alignment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-turn-on-the-lights">5. Turn on the lights.</h2>



<p>Natural light through the windows can be lovely, but it can also cause glare on your computer screen. If windows work to your benefit and the view isn’t distracting, great. If not, pull the blinds and flip on the light switch. Table lamps and floor lamps provide targeted task light if your space has insufficient overhead lighting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-create-a-home-office-ambiance-to-maintain-productivity-when-working-from-home">6. Create a home office ambiance to maintain productivity when working from home.</h2>



<p>One of the perks of working from home is being able to create a personalized work area in a way you may not be able to at the office. It’s all about creating a cozy yet productive space that is perfectly suited to your individual working style. Add personal elements that promote calm or inspiration, such as fresh flowers, houseplants, task lighting, candles or crystals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-set-your-schedule">7. Set your schedule.</h2>



<p>No matter if you work from home sporadically, a few days a week or all the time, you’ll need to plan out your daily schedule. Establish your start time, midday break periods and what time you’ll clock out for the day. This will give you a guide for your day and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-best-time-management-strategies/">help keep you on track</a> with your workload. It also sends the message to your co-workers that you have a relatively set schedule—just like you would in the office.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-get-out-to-boost-work-from-home-productivity">8. Get out to boost work-from-home productivity.</h2>



<p>While working from your sofa can be great most of the time, sometimes <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-ways-to-incorporate-microbreaks-into-your-work-from-home-routine/">you need to break up the day</a>. Take a 10-minute walk around the block to freshen up and encourage the flow of new ideas. Looking for a change of scenery? Head over to your local coffee shop or library to work there for a few hours in a way that fits into your schedule. Or, if you know others who work from home, invite them over for an informal co-working group. This may not only help you get closer to the in-office experience, but it can also be a substitute for watercooler chats and workplace socializing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-log-off">9. Log off!</h2>



<p>One of <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/8WEKIB6MAF8D8ARQTIT5/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the most important aspects</a> of a healthy work-from-home routine is creating boundaries. Log off for the day—and not just from your laptop. Consider developing a phrase you say to yourself at the end of the day to signal your mind that it’s time to stop thinking about work. Have a last-minute idea come up after office hours? Jot it down, but come back to it tomorrow. Just because you have access to work anytime doesn’t mean you should be logged in 24/7. Allow yourself to have downtime in order to create a work-life balance—we all need it, no matter where we are working.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>This article was updated July 2023. Photo by Julio Ricco/Shutterstock</em></p>

It can be hard to match office productivity levels, especially if you're new to working from home. Follow these 9 tips to stay on track.

It can be hard to match office productivity levels, especially if you're new to working from home. Follow these 9 tips to stay on track. | SUCCESS

9 Ways to Maintain Productivity When You Work From Home

Comment

9 Ways to Boost Productivity When Working From Home | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/work-from-home-productivity.jpg

Home

SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/success_opengraph_image.png

Sara Marie Hall writes about furniture and housewares on behalf of Crate and Barrel. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Currently a resident of New York City, Sara spends her free time exploring the city with her Shih Tzu, Kanye.

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Sara-Marie-Hall.jpg

Sara Marie Hall

Latest Articles

9 Ways to Maintain Productivity When You Work From Home