Working from home can be a blessing and a curse. You enjoy the convenience of not having to commute, and the freedom to mosey over to your kitchen for a quick snack. But before long the dreaded cabin fever can set in, and the distractions take over.
To follow up with Wednesday’s post on creating a home office space, we’ll show you how to stay productive while working from home now that your home office is in working order.
As previously mentioned, it’s imperative to have a separate space dedicated to work. You may not have to leave the house, but working from home doesn’t mean staying in your pajamas and sitting in front of the TV with your laptop. Essentially, a separate space allows you to “go to work” in an area that’s free from distraction.
An adjustable height desk can be a beneficial accessory to working from home. With all the recent studies showing that standing increases productivity and concentration, you know it has the same effect in a home office.
Adjustable height desks give you the flexibility to move around, so you can remain focused while working from home. And there are plenty of options to customize your desk to fit your home office, even if you have a limited amount of space.
Once your home office is complete, you should set clear boundaries for yourself and other members of the household. Clearly communicate to others what you need to stay productive while working from home, whether that means a quiet environment or heading to your office and shutting the door.
If you don’t have the luxury of a separate room, choose an area of the living room to set up a desk and all the necessary equipment you’ll need. It may be tough, but keep the TV off and refrain from doing household chores while working from home. Which brings us to the next point – set regular work hours.
Treat working from home the same as working in an office – take breaks, or have an hour for lunch, and quit around the same time as office workers head out for the day. The other members of your household should respect your work hours, and pretend that you’re not there unless it’s an emergency.
And, getting dressed really does make a difference in productivity. You wouldn’t head to the office in your pajamas, so don’t allow your self to stay in your PJ’s all day while working from home. Remember – dress for success!
Working from home can seem like a luxury to office workers who suffer the daily grind, but it may not be as easy as you think. Household distractions are everywhere, and at-home workers have to learn how to change their mindset and be more of a self-starter while working from home.
Are you working from home? What are some of your tricks to stay productive?
