We know the challenge of working from home but also how important it is to stay focused and productive in a home office environment. We’ve brought together five effective ways to help improve productivity in your home office.
Following these tips may help create a workspace ideal for managing time better, minimising distractions and supporting the idea of taking regular breaks. These useful hints can help you achieve a more healthy work-life balance with your workday.
So let’s get started on how to optimise your home office productivity.
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Set up a designated workspace
Creating a designated workspace is crucial to improving your home office productivity.
Identify a room or area in your house that is free from distractions, and consider picking out comfortable office furniture that supports your body.
Your office chair should be adjustable, providing suitable lumbar support, while your desk is spacious enough for all your work essentials.
When thinking about a workspace design, you will want to keep it professional whilst incorporating your personality. Good lighting and ventilation are also crucial in helping you maintain a comfortable and healthy work environment.
Try to avoid using your home office beyond working hours; this can keep your focus and prevents associating everything you do outside of work, with work!
A comfortable, well-equipped, and distraction-free designated workplace will improve your productivity and help you work more efficiently.
Create a schedule
A positive way to help manage time and stay on track is by creating a purposeful schedule for your working day.
Staying organised and focused can be helped by prioritising tasks and allocating specific time slots for work and breaks.
Using a planner/calendar or even time-management software in creating a schedule or progress tracker will help you achieve your work goals.
Consistent routines can help keep your brain sharp and make you feel good overall.
Flexibility and adaptability are vital when working from home; unexpected events can occur (as often seen through lockdowns on many web calls with family members and pets interrupting). Have a plan in place for this!
Stick to your schedule as much as possible; it means you will accomplish more, reduce stress levels and provide efficient time management.
Manage Distractions
To minimise distractions when working from home, set clear boundaries with family members or roommates and communicate your work schedule to them.
Closing the door and placing a sign outside during work hours can hopefully limit as much disturbance as possible in the first instance.
If you haven’t got a separate workspace, however, music through noise-cancelling headphones can help block out unwanted noise and keep your focus.
Switch off personal mobile and desktop notifications that allow your mind to wander and impact your work progress.
Having all these clear boundaries limits distractions and knowing when to switch on and off from work can help to maintain your focus. With these simple tips, you will create a more productive home office environment.
Take Regular Breaks
Taking breaks is so important in maintaining productivity and preventing burnout when working.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed when focused on tasks, which could lead to a drop in productivity. Having regular breaks away from your desk can help you to recharge.
Research indicates that regularly taking breaks can enhance creativity and increase productivity.
Clear your mind and think about life beyond work; this time for reflection can reinvigorate you and give you new fresh perspectives when you return to your work.
Getting out and about for a short walk on your break for fresh air and exercise, as well as activities like yoga or cycling can allow you to feel revitalised and relieve any built-up tension.
Taking breaks is not a waste of time; they are essential to making sure you do not burn out and keep up that level of productivity you wish to work at. They help your creative juices to flow and keep that focus on the job at hand.
Use Productivity Tools
Online tools can help with your productivity when working from home.
Trello, Asana, and Google Calendar are three popular productivity tools that help you stay organised by managing your day-to-day tasks.
Trello uses visual boards to organise tasks, while Asana allows you to assign tasks, set due dates, and track progress. Lastly, Google Calendar helps track appointments, deadlines, and events.
These productivity tools streamline work processes helping to achieve more from your workday.
Working from home has its benefits, hassle-free commutes, adaptable schedules, and relaxed environments, so creating a designated workspace at home, solely for work purposes, can be a huge lifestyle help.
Remember to avoid unwanted distractions, keep taking regular breaks, and make the most of available online tools and support.
With a positive attitude and these handy tips, you can make the most out of working from home.
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