Working from home has become the new normal for many of us!
The freedom to set our own schedule in the comfort of our own space is a real game changer.
However, this also brings lots of distractions and a lack of discipline which are the backbone of staying productive while working from home.
I have been working from home for a long time and I love it!
Imagine starting your day with a clean plan, ticking off the task and ending your day feeling accomplished and stress-free from the comfort of your home.
It’s not a dream, it is very much achievable when you have the right strategies and techniques in place to supercharge your productivity and make the most out of working from home.
These are some of the methods which I implemented in my work-from-home journey. These are some powerful transformative habits that can help you achieve more with less effort.
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Let’s begin…
1. Plan Your Day
When it comes to being productive working from home, planning your day is one of the most crucial parts of this whole journey.
Planning helps you know exactly what to do and when to do so and you don’t waste time deciding what to do next.
Write down the things you need to get done for the day. Include both the big and the small tasks.
Highlight the important task that needs to be done first and focus on those before you start anything else.
You may use a physical planner or a digital app to keep track of your to-do’s and schedules. This will help you stay organized and on track.
Planning your day first thing in the morning or the night before gives you a clear plan of what to do next which helps you stay focused.
It reduces the stress of figuring out the next move and helps you use your time more efficiently so you get more done.
2. Set Boundaries
When working from home, setting boundaries is very much essential to keep work from taking over your personal life.
This will help you stay focused during work hours and relax during personal time.
Decide your work hours. Decide when your workday starts and ends. Stick to the schedule.
Set up a specific area in your home just for work. This is going to help you mentally switch between work and personal time.
Also, let your family or people who live with you know your work hours and ask them not to distract you.
Setting boundaries will help you balance work and personal life and avoid getting overwhelmed.
A dedicated workspace and set hours will help you focus better during work time.
3. Deep Focus
Set aside 90 minutes of time for that deep focus session where you turn off all the distractions and get into the zone to tackle the most important task for the day.
This is the first step that will give you more control and a feeling of accomplishment which is going to boost your productivity with ease.
4. Time Blocking
Time blocking is a simple yet powerful technique when it comes to be more productive while working from home.
It helps to structure your day and helps boost productivity.
By assigning specific time blocks to different tasks you can create a clear schedule that is going to help you stay focused and manage time effectively.
5. Group Similar Task Together
Grouping similar tasks reduces the mental load by constantly switching between different types of things to do.
Allocating specific time blocks for each batch of tasks helps us to focus solely on the batched task that needs to be accomplished without interruptions.
For example, batching all the administrative tasks like checking emails, filling important papers, making phone calls etc.
The benefits of grouping similar tasks together increase efficiency, reduce stress and allow you to get into the zone which improves the quality and speed of your work.
6. Simplify Your Digital Life
This involves reducing digital clutter and distractions to focus on what truly matters.
Regularly review the apps and tools that you use. Keep only the ones that add value to your work.
Turn off unimportant notifications that may interrupt your work.
Organize your digital files & make sure to delete the ones that you do not need.
Use clear names for your files and folders which will help you quickly locate what you need and make searching more efficient. Remove duplicate files.
A well-named file and folders save your time, reduce stress and make your digital life more manageable.
Also, limit social media and other non-essential digital distractions during work hours.
Fewer apps and tools mean less time spent managing them and more time doing meaningful focused work.
A clean digital space leads to a clear mind and less stress.
7. Utilize Automation
This is my favourite one. Automation involves using technology to perform routine tasks automatically thus saving time and reducing errors.
Identify repetitive tasks that you perform regularly and are time-consuming.
Create an automated workflow to handle these tasks.
For example, you may create a template which you need often that you can then copy and paste when required.
Or, you can set up automatic email responders or schedule social media posts in advance using automated tools like Tailwind, Buffer or Hootsuite.
Automating frees up your time for more important tasks and ensures that tasks are done consistently and correctly each time.
It also helps lessen the burden of remembering the repetitive task manually.
8. Optimize Your Work Space
A comfortable workspace reduces physical strain on the body and increases focus.
A tidy and dedicated workspace will make you feel more professional and ready to work.
An organized and well-equipped workspace will help you work more efficiently.
Make use of organizers and storage – Keeping everything in its designated space with the help of organizer and storage system will make it easier for you to find what you need when you need it.
Not only does this reduce stress and increase productivity, but also makes your space look neat and inviting.
Invest in an ergonomic chair and desk to prevent strain and discomfort to your posture.
Also, make sure your workspace is well-lit with natural light or quality artificial lights. Avoid glare on your screens.
Setting up a perfect workspace will greatly improve your productivity by making it easier to focus and get things done.
9. Align Tasks with Your Energy Levels
Aligning your tasks with your natural energy levels will help you perform at your best.
Pay attention to when you feel most energetic throughout the day.
Schedule the hardest task during those peak times and save easier tasks for when you are not at your optimal energy level.
Take regular breaks to recharge.
Working on the hardest high-energy task during your peak times leads to better performance in quality work and efficiency.
Taking regular breaks prevents burnout.
10. Targeted Work Intervals
This means breaking your work into short, focused periods.
Instead of working on something for hours without a break, you work intensely for a short time, take a quick break, and then start again.
This method helps you stay focused and get more done without feeling tired.
To make this work you can set a Timer: Choose a short period, like 25 minutes, and set a timer. Focus completely on your task for those 25 minutes. No distractions!
Take a Break When the timer rings, take a 5-minute break.
Use this time to move around, have a cup of tea, do some stretching or a quick walk around a block for 5 minutes.
Repeat after your break, reset the timer for another 25 minutes and dive back into your work.
Doing this creates better Focus. Short work periods help you concentrate better and you feel less burnout.
Regular breaks keep you from getting too tired. You get more done because you are working smarter, not harder.
By using these targeted work intervals, you can work more effectively and feel less stressed. Give it a try and see how much more you can accomplish!
You might also like –
16 Effective ways to overcome laziness and boost productivity
How your comfort zone is ruining your life
15 simple time manangement tips to manage time better
How to get things done when you don’t feel like
11. Constant Learning
When working from home, it is important to keep yourself updated with the advanced techniques and tools that can improve your work efficiency.
Learning involves regularly acquiring new skills and knowledge to improve your work effectiveness.
Identify the areas where you want to improve and set specific learning goals.
Use online courses, books, podcasts, and webinars to learn new skills.
Platforms like Udemy, and Coursera are some of my favourites which offer a wide range of courses.
Try to set a dedicated time for learning these new skills and take them seriously as you take your work seriously.
Learning new things, and new skills will boost your confidence and competence in your work. It may also help open new opportunities and career growth.
12. Practice Self-Care
Taking care of yourself is crucial for maintaining productivity and overall well-being.
Incorporate physical activity in your day which will boost your energy levels and mood.
Fuel your body with nutritious food. Avoid sugary food and caffeine.
Get enough sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep to ensure you are well rested and alert during the day.
Mange your stress by practicing relaxation techniques, deep breathing, yoga and meditation.
Practicing self-care will help reduces stress and boost your overall mood making you more productive.
So to conclude, embracing these practices will not only boost your productivity while working from home but will also enhance overall well-being making your work from home experience successful and enjoyable.
I hope this post was helpful to you. As always, thank you for taking your time and reading this post.
Eralivine helps you to get more productive, and take a step in self-improvement & personal development.
If that’s what you are looking out for, then let’s connect!
You may also check out my recipe blog rustictadka.com if interested.