6 Smart Tips to Help Productivity While Working from Home

Tips & Tricks

1. Get Ready for the Day Like Normal

Establishing a routine can help your productivity when you get ready like you would for a regular job. What helps me is setting an alarm for Monday through Friday. After I get up and do my morning skincare routine, I change out of my pajamas into something comfortable enough to work in but appropriate enough to leave the house in. I make a small, quick breakfast to resemble life in the office.

2. Take Real Breaks

Sometimes, it’s easy to fall into a rabbit hole of hours of endless work. To combat this, I make sure to take advantage of time to make lunch, head out with my dog on a potty break or even just take a stroll up and down the block. Sunlight, fresh air and greenery work wonders. It helps a lot with encouraging the flow of new ideas and tackling any mid-day slumps. If needed, set alarms throughout the day to remind yourself to take breaks.

3. Create a Space for Productivity

Some people want to blast music and are fueled by a stimulating environment. Others need peace and quiet in order to focus. Figure out what works best for you and create a space in your home that accommodates those needs. You may need some ergonomic furniture or accessories or a dual monitor setup to get you in work mode. 

4. Treat it Like a Real Workspace

Once you have your work area figured out, treat it like your real desk in the office. Your workspace shouldn’t have bills and mail scattered everywhere. Declutter to help you maintain your focus, at least for the hours you’re working there. Set up your monitors, have a cup of coffee handy, gather those extension cords – whatever you need to make it feel like the office. Unless your deal is organized chaos, then go crazy! 

5. Talk to Your Manager and Colleagues

Keeping a clear line of communication with your manager is key when you’re working from home more than usual. Hop on a video chat to set expectations and go over any concerns or obstacles you may be or anticipate facing. Having the support and understanding of your manager can ease a lot of anxiety surrounding working from home. Additionally, reach out to your colleagues regularly just to stay in touch to make working from home seem less lonely.

6. Sign Off

Bringing your work home might be something that people discourage for many reasons, but when working from home is necessary, it may be easier to set boundaries to maintain a healthy balance. You don’t need to be logged on and available 24/7, nor should you be. Everyone needs a mental break. Just make sure you get your work done!