Remote work has expanded tremendously as a result of the pandemic, with more than half of the US workforce alone now working remotely.
A third of hiring managers realized that remote work increased productivity, suggesting that companies all across the world are successfully using remote work.
Thanks to technological advancements, it is now easier and more efficient than ever before.
On the other hand, working from home might be a double-edged sword.
With a home office, you can avoid distractions from coworkers and congested workspaces.
However, there are still many distractions at home that might impede productivity.
Here are some tried-and-true methods for staying productive at home.
1. Create a conducive working atmosphere.
It’s easy to psychologically separate work and home life when you work in an office building.
Working from home, on the other hand, necessitates greater planning.
Designate a room in your house as a “work-only” zone if feasible.
This space should not be shared by housemates, family members, or children, and of course, this space should also have a strong Wi-Fi connection.
This helps to create a physical barrier between work and personal life.
Your home office should be where you perform the bulk, if not all, of your work.
Outside of business hours, this workspace should preferably not be used.
This allows you to stay in work mode while on the clock and exit work mode when you’re not.
2. Maintain a consistent schedule.
Designated working hours, similar to a home office, might help you focus on work when it is needed.
Routines minimize stress and boost productivity by providing you with a sense of control over your day.
Maintain a routine by following these steps:
- Determine what must be included in your routine.
- Set minor objectives.
- Make a plan.
- Maintain consistency in your time management.
- Prepare yourself.
- Make it enjoyable.
- Keep track of your progress.
- Take care of yourself.
Work-life balance is especially important if you work from home full time.
Commit to a habit that will assist you in maintaining that balance.
3. It is best to prevent multitasking.
Multitasking is regarded as a desirable attribute. However, it actually diminishes productivity.
According to many research, multitasking:
- Reduces IQ and brain matter density temporarily.
- Reduces attention span, interferes with learning, and impairs working memory
- The ability to focus and concentrate is hampered.
- Creativity and innovation are stifled.
- The brain area responsible for emotional intelligence is damaged.
Stress and burnout are on the rise.
Working in batches and making mental space for deep work is a better option.
When you spend brief, distracted bursts of time on one job before quickly switching on to another, you have fragmented time.
This is not typical multitasking, and it will not assist you in being productive.
You can’t go into the zone if you can’t focus on one thing for a long enough period of time.
Time batching is a productivity technique that allows you to focus on a group of related tasks for a set amount of time without being interrupted.
To make it work, categorize related tasks as large, medium, and small.
Smaller tasks may need 15-30 minutes of concentration.
Medium tasks are those that take up to two hours to complete.
Finally, your lengthy list includes tasks that will take more than two hours to complete.
The distinction between short, medium, and long lists is not just based on time.
Consider which tasks need the greatest mental effort.
Thirty minutes of research, for example, is unlikely to be the same as thirty minutes of inbox clearing.
After batch-processing, decide which list to begin with based on your schedule and focus.
Consider your priorities. Is it more vital to finish a large number of little activities at that time, or is it more important to focus on major initiatives that will have a greater impact on your team or organization?
Once you’ve made a decision, stick to it to keep your motivation high and distractions at a minimum.
4. Close all work programs and tabs at the end of the day.
At the end of the day, it’s critical to go from work mode to home mode.
Close any work-related apps and tabs if your laptop or computer is used for both professional and personal duties.
You may also boost efficiency by preserving tabs for the following day’s duties, such as email, papers, reports, online tools, and so on.
Using productivity tools not only allows you to be productive when working from home, but it also allows you to establish a work-life balance that is right for you.
Working from home offers certain difficulties in keeping a healthy work-life balance, but it is not impossible.
You can carve out space and time to be productive without allowing work to break into your personal life if you use the correct tools, tactics, and limits.
5. Postpone personal tasks
When working from home, it may be tempting to take care of personal problems.
After all, things to do at home are only a few steps away.
However, the short-term pleasure of completing present activities is typically insufficient to compensate for the long-term cost of ignoring more important responsibilities.
We don’t always select the activity that is truly best for us.
Breaks are necessary, but save personal duties for lunchtime or after you’ve finished your job for the day.
Keeping professional and personal duties separate keeps your mind focused on each sort of job when the time comes.
Maintain your concentration on work while at work and on your personal life while you’re not on the clock.
6. Go to work as quickly as possible.
People normally are most productive in the early morning hours.
A research revealed that people finish their duties about 11 a.m. the vast bulk of the time.
Following that, productivity diminishes for the remainder of the day.
Begin working as soon as you have completed your morning ritual (meal, shower, coffee, etc.).
Use these productive hours to finish the most difficult task of the day or to perform a plethora of small, uncomplicated tasks.
7. Take a breather.
Breaks are just as vital to productivity as working hours.
In fact, one research discovered that not taking breaks diminishes productivity.
Taking a break from your computer and doing whatever it takes to reenergize your attention and energy, whether it’s exercising, spending time with family members, or taking a lunch break, will help you be a better worker and boost productivity.
Taking care of yourself throughout the day will keep you sane and productive.
IMAGE CREDIT: Freepik
