How to Stay Productive While Working from Home

The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has disrupted everything, from major sporting events and international trade, to travel and supply chains. In a move to prevent the further spread of the virus and keep their employees safe, many companies are implementing work-from-home policies.

While working from home has its benefits (heck, you could even work in your pajamas), staying productive can require a little extra effort – especially with all the distractions around you.  In this article, we’ll discuss some simple yet effective ways to maintain productivity as you work from home:

Don’t Work in Bed

Though tempting, you’re better off avoiding the urge to work in bed. You might get sleepy again or find it difficult to feel like you’re fully awake and alert, which will adversely affect the tasks you’re doing. Plus, you would have a tough time shutting off your brain when it’s bedtime. Just wake up, make your bed, get ready, and grab a cup of coffee – just like any other normal morning.

Minimize Distractions

One of the most important keys to a successful work-from-home day is to operate as if you’re at your desk. Think about it: would you pause work to, let’s suppose, do groceries if you were on the clock? You probably wouldn’t. Make sure to work someplace where you won’t be tempted or distracted – even if that means working at the dining table.

If there are things that need doing around the house, leave them be. Ideally, you should finish your chores before you begin work, or do your chores after work. As for logging into social media or streaming Netflix, save these activities for when you’re done with the day’s work too.  

Set Physical Boundaries

It can be challenging to remain focused when you’ve got roommates or your family in the house with you. If somebody sees you on the laptop, it’s likely s/he will assume that you’re not working and interrupt you, causing you to lose your flow.

Therefore, it’s vital to define physical boundaries by creating a designated work area in your home if possible. It doesn’t necessarily have to be anything fancy – even a little corner in the living room would do.

Also, let everyone at home know that you’ll be working between so-and-so hours and that you don’t want to be disturbed unless there’s an emergency.

Create a Schedule

As the number of coronavirus cases continue to rise, it’s safe to assume that you’re going to be working remotely for the unforeseeable future. In this scenario, planning out your daily schedule will go a long way in helping you stay on track with your workload.

Don’t forget to decide on your start time, break periods (more about this below), and what time you’ll call it a day.

Take Timely Breaks

Nope, scrolling mindlessly through Facebook or Twitter doesn’t constitute a break. However, you should give yourself some time off from working without your usual structure, so take a short (5 to 15 minutes) break after every hour or so. Steer clear from any screens during your break and grab some fresh air.

This time can be spent talking to a friend, entertaining one of your children, or playing with your pet – whatever works! You’ll be far more productive if you get up from your desk and laptop from time to time throughout the day.

Avoid Isolating Yourself

Working from home can result in increased productivity, but it also comes with certain downsides, one of them being the lack of socialization. Sure, some office environments can be distracting, but nothing beats having colleagues you like working and catching up with across the day.

That’s why you need to make time to connect with other people. If you don’t, you’re essentially putting yourself at the risk of depression and isolation.

Wrapping Things Up

And that’s all for now! Put the advice discussed above to practice and supercharge your productivity while working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Do you have any work-from-home tips that you’d like to share with us? Feel free to use the comments section below!