Do you work from home? Are you finding it difficult to stay productive while working from home? If this sounds like you, then this guide is definitely for you!
by Atomic Mommy Editors
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It can be difficult to be productive while managing the demands of an everyday job with family and home concerns. But who can blame you?
There are a thousand interruptions just waiting to drag your productivity down. Whether its the kids asking for snack after snack, or its your pet needing extra attention, or your buddies/partner trying to get you to go out for an afternoon lunch–they are all interruptions that cause you to be distracted from finishing your work.
If this sounds like you, then this guide is definitely for you. Here are some helpful tips to keep you on top of your productivity while working from home!
#1 Plan A Schedule With Your Friends & Family
There may be periods during the week when your school-aged kids are at home. Caring for children can make it tough for parents who need to work while their children are at home. There may also be times where your friends are trying relentlessly to get you to leave your workspace.
If you find yourself in either of these situations, it is critical to create a clear routine for anyone outside of your work. By doing so, you will be giving them an idea as to when you will be free from work while also creating a happy schedule to stay on track.
To do this, you’ll need to consider how your schedule could be coordinated to accommodate any obligations outside of your work. Pick one day a week for lunch with friends. Have your partner care for a child at certain times of the day. Ask relatives to help with additional tasks like grocery shopping or house cleaning. Alternatively, you could consider getting up an hour earlier to have more time to work while the house is quiet. These small changes to your routine may relieve some of your workload later on.
#2 Designate Your Own Workspace
Though it may be tempting to work from your bedroom or couch, attempt to establish something more formal. Perhaps you have a makeshift workspace in the dining room, or you have a dedicated desk or office area in your house. Ideally, your workspace should have a door to block out any distractions, and it should be filled with all the supplies and equipment you might need nearby, such as a computer, printer, paper, headphones, mini fridge (for snacks and drinks), and so on. You’ll want to avoid getting up frequently to fetch items you might need, as this will simply reduce your productivity.
#3 Get Up And Start Early
It’s enticing to want to sleep in when you don’t have to dash out the door to get to work. However, if you’re having trouble remaining productive, getting up early is sometimes an excellent solution. Set an alarm for about an hour before your spouse or children wake up. Make a cup of your favorite morning coffee and get to work on your emails or a heavier assignment. When the house is quiet, you’ll be astonished at how much you can get done. You could even use your early start as a way to get on top of your file organization.
#4 Take Mini Breaks Often
You can only work so much. If you truly want to be productive, take regular breaks to allow your mind and body to recharge. Take a few minutes every hour or so to stand, refill your water, or pat your dog. Take longer pauses a few times a day to communicate with others as well. Spend 20 minutes playing with your children, going for a stroll with your partner or pet, or checking in on your parents. Taking mini breaks from your work will help you replenish your batteries.
#5 Remove Digital Distractions
It is generally not a good idea to check social media while at work, as it is a huge distraction from your productivity. At home though, looking at your phone is quite easy to do, and that will definitely leave your work undone. Time goes by very fast when surfing the internet or checking someone’s posts.
To keep these electronic distractions from taking over your life, do everything you can to eradicate them completely. Remove all social media platforms from your bookmarks and log out of all accounts. When you’re trying to work, turn off all alerts and notifications and keep your phone in the bedroom. After you’ve finished your work for the day, you can always go back to your social media apps in the evening.
#6 Try Meal Prepping
Working from home adds to your other household duties. But it is unavoidable. So rather than spend your time stressing over how much time you don’t have to make dinner each day, try a new way of bringing dinner to your table.
Meal planning is an excellent way to avoid getting bogged down by cooking every night. Make a few meals in bulk on Sundays, and portion them into food storage containers for use throughout the week. This can save you from having to take time away from work to prepare on-demand meals. This kind of prepping works nicely whether you live alone or you have a large family.
The Takeaway
Working from home presents unique obstacles. However, creating a timetable, communicating clearly with loved ones, and limiting distractions can all help to lighten the load.
Do you have any other tips that could help? Share them with the rest of us in our Forum.