5 Tips for Productive Working From Home

The events of recent times have resulted in a seismic shift in the way we work. Personally, I’d say it’s about the only good thing to come out of it all; finally, we are allowed some flexibility in our work lives. Most of us have found ourselves asking the question, is productive working from home possible? If so, what are the best tips? Studies show that most businesses plan to continue the increase in remote working. Could this be society’s future ideal after all?

As someone who deals with chronic health issues, the 9-to-5 working model hasn’t been a viable way of working for several years. I know that I am far from alone in this position. There are many undeniable remote working benefits, and the world of work has opened up to many previously denied access. So, I wanted to produce a post covering the best ideas and tips that have helped me along the way and made productive working from home entirely feasible.

Get Dressed 

This point may seem like an unnecessary tip for productive working from home, but it turns out to be crucial. Whilst it’s an appealing prospect to stay in a dressing gown or pyjamas, in my experience, it leads to a less effective working day. There’s something about failing to get dressed that makes hours pass by in a haze. Not ideal when you’ve got a ton of tasks to plough through and tick off your to-do list.

Getting dressed signals that it’s time to start work. If you’d typically wear makeup to go into the office, perhaps apply some for home working too. Don’t underestimate the psychology of power dressing, no matter how toned down in this case. When it comes to working at home vs office, some people miss getting dressed up each day and creating outfits for the corporate space. So, whatever you do, keep picking clothing pieces that make you feel good.

Time Yourself 

One pitfall of remote working is that it’s all too easy to find yourself daydreaming and staring into space for periods throughout the day. When assessing the pros and cons of remote working, this drawback is a definite and perhaps the most common con. Concentration doesn’t come easily for everyone, and some of us are prolific procrastinators.

For productive working from home, challenge yourself to finish tasks within a specific time frame. For example, if the time is 3 in the afternoon, set yourself the task to solely power work on a piece for 30 minutes. Glance at the time throughout this period to keep on track.

I enjoy aiming to complete a 1500-word blog post in 90 minutes flat. I always know it will be a messy first draft, but sometimes working in a frenzied state is the only way to kick the brain into gear. It’s best to hyper-focus on the task at hand and edit later.

Create a Sensory Environment

Looking back to the times when I entered a physical workplace, I always wondered if everyone else found it challenging to work effectively. If you’re a fellow introvert, you’ll probably also be all too aware of the hellish pitfalls of the open-place office. Frequently, too much noise and chatter made it hard to focus and existed as a social anxiety trigger. The office was often either too cold or hot and stuffy; the temperature was never just right. I never worked in an office space that smelt great, either. All in all, it was somewhat intolerable, and I wonder how I ever managed to accomplish anything.

One of the remote working benefits is that you can tailor your environment. If you want to sit supported by velvet cushions with a cat to keep you company, you can. I also like to surround myself with plants and make regular hot water bottles. I keep the air fresh by regularly opening the window and sometimes spritz perfume for a tonic. Success and Self-Care have some brilliant tips for minimising distractions. Even if you’re planning to embark on the nomad work lifestyle, you can still choose your working environment within reason. Being a digital nomad, you soon discover the best coffee shops or co-working spaces to be productive.

Separate Lunch and Snack Time

One of the growing trends I always loathed about working in an office was that most colleagues chose to eat lunch at their desks. Leaving your desk for the whole lunch period was often seen as a negative, sometimes leading to others questioning if you’re genuinely committed to your job. I’m so thankful that I no longer have to deal with this corporate saga.

For productive working from home, designate time for lunch and snacks away from your workspace. You most likely have access to a kitchen, so you don’t have to depend on processed foods. Make a healthy, visually appealing lunch that will keep you going for hours. Working at home vs office is a no-brainer when you think of all the rushed lunch breaks with nothing to eat but a sorry sandwich. If you’re living the nomad work life, take time to discover the best local places to eat. You’ll never have to worry about lunch boredom ever again.

Pack It Away

Working from home can pose a problem; when does the workday truly end? How do you relax in an environment that you now associate with work? Establishing physical and mental boundaries can be a challenge. I relate if you’ve meant to have finished work but find yourself thinking about how you could have done something better.

If you’re one of the many who don’t have a home office, tuck your laptop and work materials into a drawer, keeping it shut until the next working day begins. I’m a great believer in out of sight, out of mind. Productive working from home doesn’t have to be complicated; in fact, once conquered, you’ll wonder how you ever worked otherwise. 

If you found learning more about productive working from home and remote working benefits helpful, check out how to be ruthless when decluttering clothes.