Working From Home - How to Stay Productive and Motivated

Nowadays, most people have work from home jobs or spend several days of the week doing so. While that may sound great, it can lead to some unproductive days when you do not want to get out of the bed. It is also easy to lose motivation when you are not surrounded by colleagues and there is little scope for positive reinforcement. Therefore, it is important to have good habits in place that will help create a better work-from-home environment. 

10 Tips to Stay Productive and Motivated When Working From Home

‍1. Keep a Clean and Functional Workspace 

Working from home can seem tedious after a while but if you keep a designated workspace, it will make things easier. Ensure that your desk is clean and has enough space for all your office essentials. Having to get up for a notebook or to move things around to fit your laptop and any other device several times throughout the day can get tiring. When you have a functional workspace, it will not only be easier for you to work for extended periods but also help you focus better. 

‍2. Make a To-do List 

Once you have finished your work, create a short to-do list for the following day. While you are doing this, make sure that the list is achievable and does not include tasks that cannot be done on time. You can review the list the next morning before you start. This will give you a general idea about how busy work is going to be and can help if you have other plans for the day. Remember, the list is for yourself and so, you can add to it or subtract from it as and when necessary. 

‍3. Create a Proper Schedule

Since you are working from home, you need to consider a few things before making the schedule. For example, if you like preparing breakfast every morning or cook other meals, make sure you have time for that. If you have to take your pet for a walk, fit that into your day. You might have some chores to run or you may need to drop off or pick up your kids from school. All of these daily tasks need to be a part of your schedule. So create a schedule that works for you and your family, and stick to it. 

‍4. Get Dressed for Work

When you are at home, you probably want to lounge in your pajamas all day long. But this can actually lead to you feeling lethargic. So, instead of being in your home clothes, get dressed. You do not need to put on your fanciest of work clothes. You can dress casually and do your hair. This will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. 

‍5. Practice Time-Blocking

Time-blocking means setting aside some time for a specific task. You can use an alarm clock for this. For the days that you have urgent work which is also time consuming, this is a good practice. Block out two hours and focus on that task. However, once the two hours are up, you should move on to a different task. This will not only help with time management but will also prevent you from feeling exhausted.

‍6. Multitask When Possible 

When you are working from home, you may need to multitask. For example, you can answer a few emails when you are getting your daily workout done. You can get some simple tasks done while cleaning around the house. It is also important to maintain a balance and not multitask all the time.

‍7. Take Short Breaks During the Day

Taking a break is the best way to stay productive on a work day. So take short 5 to 10 minute breaks throughout the day. It is best to just relax during these periods instead of getting any household chores done. Stretch your limbs, take a walk, grab a snack and then come back to your desk. If you are someone who has to stare at a screen for extended periods, this is a good way to rest your eyes. Taking a break can be quite motivational as well. For example, if you are working on something particularly tedious, you may be motivated to complete it quickly and finally be able to take a break after the work is done. 

‍8. Limit Distractions 

Distractions tend to increase a lot when you are working from home. If you have other people, their chatter can be distracting. If you are living alone, distractions may be in the form of emails, messages, calls, or even delivery people ringing the bell. To work productively and to not lose motivation, you need to limit all distractions. You can tell your family members or roommates your work schedule so that they know when to not disturb you. Keep your mobile or personal laptops away from your work desk.  

‍9. Meal Prep for Work Days

Meal prepping can be a huge lifesaver if you have a busy work schedule. During the weekend, portion out your foods and prepare meals for the coming week. You can choose to meal prep for only the days you have work or for the whole week. Keep the food in storage containers and store them in the fridge. This will ensure that your food stays fresh for longer. All you need to do is heat up a container and enjoy lunch or dinner. 

‍10. Stick to Your Office Hours 

While many companies allow employees to set their own hours when working from home, it is best to stick to office hours. Otherwise, you may end up working longer hours. So, start your work day as you normally would in the office and shut down after your work hours are over. It is important to stop and rest before doing it all again the next day. 

That brings an end to the article & mentioned below are some of the work from home jobs available on the GoodWorker platform.

Work From Home Jobs

Work From Home Data Entry Jobs

Work From Home Jobs in Delhi

Conclusion 

Working from home can be convenient for many. But you need to ensure that you are doing it right. Keep yourself time to relax and enjoy the process of work. Set the expectations before you begin and keep to your schedule. This will help you stay focused and be more productive.