7 Ways to be More Productive While Working from Home

If you’ve been working from home since the start of the pandemic, you’ve likely got the hang of it by now. However, there’s always room for more productivity. 

The following tips can help you optimize your remote work situation and keep you on task throughout the day. 

1) Pick a Space that Suits Your Needs 

If you want a high level of productivity while working from home, you need to set the stage for success by having the right surroundings.   

Different professions call for different types of work environments. If your job requires a lot of creativity, your surroundings should inspire you. If your job requires a lot of technical thinking, you want a workspace that is free from noise and potential distractions. 

2) Stay Organized 

Staying organized is critical to remaining productive in the office, but it’s even more important when you’re at home, where the slightest mess could trigger a full-fledged cleaning spree. Since your work life and personal life are now more intertwined, you’ll have to stay on top of things like dirty dishes and cleaning out the litter box, if only to minimize potential workday distractions. 

3) Get into Work Mode 

When you suddenly start working from home, it might be appealing to skip the shower and work all day in your pajamas. However, if you get cleaned up and dressed just as you would before going into the office, you’ll find that you are more productive. 

This isn’t to say that you should go full Mad Men and throw on a suit before sitting down to work in your spare bedroom. However, you should probably change out of your ratty old hoodie and pajama pants if you want a more productive mindset. 

4) Have an Ergonomic Workstation 

Most modern office workstations are set up to avoid repetitive motion and strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Even if you’re only working from home a few days a week, your home setup should also follow proper ergonomics. 

Get an office chair with lumbar support, a desk set at the proper height and a keyboard wrist pad. 

5) Take Short, Regular Breaks 

Research shows the average person can only focus for around 45 minutes at a time. When you’re working from home, nobody is looking over your shoulder, so take advantage of that fact by taking a break every hour or so. You’ll find that you actually end up being more productive than if you try to grind it out for hours at a time. 

6) Exercise 

Whether it’s in the morning, on your lunch, or in a few short 10-minute bursts throughout the day, getting some exercise every day can do wonders for your productivity. While exercise in the morning can give you a boost that lasts all day long, a 10-minute walk can be just the thing you need to clear your head. Hopefully, you can do both! 

7) Log Off After 8 Hours 

For people who aren’t confined to rigid hours, it can be tempting to stretch the workday into the 9th hour and even answer emails at night. However, research shows that we are most productive when we stick to about 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week.   

We Can Help You Find a Remote Work Situation 

At Career Concepts, we specialize in helping people find their best-fitting job situations. Please contact us today to find out how we can help you.