4 Tips To Make You More Productive When Working From Home
This one's for all you creatives working from home! Working from home is such an amazing privilege to have. Unless you’re working a strict 9-5 from home, you usually get to make your own schedule, be in charge of your own task priorities, and where your comfy clothes ALL day.
Of course, working from home is a luxury in itself, but it doesn’t come without some downsides (the pros generally always outweigh the cons - at least for me!). It can be tough when you have to be the one to hold yourself accountable all the time. It’s easy to slack off, get distracted or have poor time-management skills.
Sometimes you need to kick it into gear and stay on top of your game when it comes to productivity and getting all your responsibilities done. These are some of my favorite tips for increasing your productivity when working from home!
Create a designated workspace
Even if you don’t have a whole office room or space in your house, you can still designate a little spot that is solely for working. This keeps you from being enticed to sit on the couch and watch TV while you work (although I do support having a Netflix and Chill x Work session once in a while).
Try to keep a consistent workspot. Have your set up exactly how you want it. Keep it clean and organized. Decorate it however you want - make it glam or fun! This will make you excited to get into your space for the day. Even if it’s just a corner at your kitchen table to work out, try spicing it up with something like a cute keyboard/mouse set.
Use time-blocking techniques
If you work on your own time or make your own schedule, try time-blocking. It’s a great time-management tactic to help you keep your focus for a specified amount of time. You can block off time in your calendar throughout the day to dedicate to different tasks, type of work, etc. Try dedicating 1 hour to one project, then the next hour to another.
Another time-blocking strategy is the Pomodoro Technique. This is where you set a timer for around 25 minutes and work for that amount of time on whatever you want, then take a short break. And repeat that a few times before taking a longer break. It’s a pretty awesome way to focus and maximize your efficiency so you can knock out a bunch of work in a shorter amount of time.
Have a pre-work routine
Having a routine every time you start working is SO important to get yourself in the right mental space and mindset. It can be whatever gets you focused and ready to go! Maybe it’s just going about your regular morning routine before you start the day. Maybe it’s lighting candles on your desk, smudging with some sage around your workspace, and meditating. Maybe it’s blasting music and having a little dance party to get you hyped.
You can also have different routines for different types of days. For example, if you have a day full of calls, the routine of blasting music to get hyped might help you get confident for your calls. Or maybe you have a day where you need to be more creative, so you do some self-care and journal your creative thoughts before you get yourself in the zone. If it gets you ready to put in work, then add it into your pre-work routine!
Get “ready”
Working in our comfy clothes is a huuuuuge plus when working from home. Trust me, I get it. But, when you’re in a funk, getting “ready” for work might help pull you out of it. Whether it’s getting professionally dressed or doing your hair or makeup, getting ready can help you feel more confident and inspired throughout your day.
You don’t have to do this every day, but try it whenever you need a little motivation or inspiration to work. I can’t explain why, but doing this always makes me feel 10x more productive. Especially when I dress like a boss!
These are just a few strategies I like to use to improve my productivity when working from home. The same-ol’ basic work from home routine can get boring - so find ways to spice it up and organize yourself. You can even mix-and-match these strategies if you want to keep each day fresh and different. Get creative and use the techniques that work the best for you!
