*THIS IS A GUEST POST. The opinions expressed are that of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect my own.
Working from home has become the new normal, and it does not look like it is going away anytime soon. It certainly has a lot of positives to it, but like everything it also comes with its own set of challenges. Perhaps the greatest of these is figuring out how to stay focused when working from home.
So how do you maintain your focus and productivity when you are working from home? In today’s article, we will look at some powerful tips you can use to maintain your productivity levels at their highest.
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- Get rid of distractions
Distractions are the bane of productivity. You need to preempt all the possible distractions that might take your mind off work. Silence alerts on your phone and news on TV. At the very least, minimize the news to a single trusted source. This helps you avoid unnecessary distractions until you can finish whatever you set out to do.
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- Have and respect boundaries
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In case you do not live alone, you need to set boundaries with your housemates. Let them know when you need to be by yourself so you can get work done. A good idea would be to get a dedicated workspace so you can lock the door to make the boundaries even clearer.
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- Have a dedicated workspace
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Whether you have a little nook in the kitchen or an entire home office, it is important to have some sort of dedicated workspace. Even if you have limited space, it is imperative that you carve out some space where you can work. Not only does a dedicated workspace encourage the right ergonomics (straight back and high enough desk), but it also helps you get into the right mood for work, which makes you more productive.
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- Have your tools ready
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It is important to get supplies, so you do not have to keep getting up to go get them done. Some supplies can also help you block out the distraction and the noise. These might include noise canceling headphones, white noise machines, sticky notes, note pads, and some good old coffee, of course. The white noise machines and noise canceling headphones help to shut out any distracting noises in the environment, while the notepads and sticky notes are great for writing little reminders to yourself about where to pick up from in case you must stop working to get something done. They are also useful in case you want to write something down that just crossed your mind. This allows you to shelve them away so you can work on them later. Now, you need to focus on what is in front of you.
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- Document everything
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Speaking of writing things down, it is good to jot down everything, particularly your goals for the day. You can do it on physical paper or take digital notes. Block out time periods for work and breaks and stick to them religiously. When you block out short periods of focused work for your brain it feels much less tortured than it otherwise would if it were working aimlessly with no end in sight.
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- Take regular breaks
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As much as you are scheduling times to work, your brain cannot work non-stop. You need to take regular breaks to give yourself time to recover. Short breaks improve your concentration during those times when you are working. Staying focused for too long often does more harm than good. Take regular breaks and reward yourself with social media, games, or spending time with your family.
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- Work at the best time for you
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It is important to be self-aware. We all have specific times of day when we are best placed to work non-stop without distractions. If you know you can work on the hardest tasks in the morning, then block out your work schedule for the morning. If you are a night owl, then that is when you should schedule the hardest tasks.
In the same vein, what distracts others might not distract you, and what others find stimulating might be your biggest distraction. Some people can work perfectly well with the TV on in the background. Others prefer heavy metal music, while others like pin-drop silence.
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- Take care of yourself
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While work is good, do not neglect yourself in the process of getting things done. Make sure you eat enough. However, do not overeat to the point where you begin to feel sleepy. Speaking of sleep, make sure you get enough sleep. The best concentration comes when you are not too hungry, too sleepy, or too caffeinated. This ties in to knowing yourself well, so find the amounts of each that work for you and stick to them religiously.
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- Dress up
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This one is not absolutely necessary but might work for some people. There is obviously no need for you to wear a pencil skirt and heels or a three-piece suit when you will be working from home. However, there is probably a middle ground that works. Dressing at least a little formally might help you get into a business mindset and obey daily rituals. At any rate, wear whatever is comfortable for you, but make sure you have some sort of morning ritual that you follow, such as getting out of your pajamas and brushing your teeth. This helps your brain get into work mode.
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- Know when to stop
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Even more important than knowing how to stay productive when you are working is knowing when to stop. A common mistake people make when they work from home is to work incessantly, not knowing when to clock out. This can lead to burnout, and that will shave at least a couple days off of your productivity. Have a fixed time for work and a fixed time for rest, and never mix the two.
Conclusion
By applying the tips above, you are bound to be more productive and cheerful while working. Working from home can be challenging, but it does not have to be. It is all about getting into the right mindset.
Author Bio
Nick Van Migrot is a professional content writer for Best Essay Writing Service UK and a member of several writing clubs in Los Angeles, California. Nick is interested in topics such as business, hospitality, finance, and marketing. He is the father of a lovely toddler and a passionate long-distance runner. Feel free to connect with him on Twitter.