The number of people who work from home has risen steadily over the last few years, and organizations of all sizes have adopted the hybrid work culture.
Although convenient, working from home presents challenges not seen in structured office environments. Navigating these challenges is crucial if you want to remain productive and effective.
Keep reading as we share some simple-to-follow tips that you can use to stay productive, whether you plan to work from home or want to look for a serviced office near you.
1. Plan for Chores and Family Time
Without rudely ignoring anyone, set boundaries for what you can and can’t do while working. If you have kids that need to be taken care of during your working hours, set aside time for them and your work. If you need to perform certain daily chores, set a time before or after you start work so you don’t have to worry during your productive hours.
2. Have a Designated Workspace
Having a zone in your home where there are no distractions can help you to stay focused and productive. Keep your work materials in that part of the house, and find the right chair to support your back and neck.
Alongside a comfortable chair, consider incorporating office equipment that maximizes efficiency. A reliable computer, copier, and high-speed internet connection are fundamental, ensuring seamless work processes.
For instance, copiers with multiple functions are a valuable addition to any home office, they combine printing, scanning, and copying capabilities, save space, and reduce the need for multiple separate machines. They are particularly useful for handling various tasks without leaving your focused work zone.
These steps alone will help you stay productive and maintain high energy levels while you work. Having an official setting like this can also help you maintain focus.
3. Set Time for Breaks and Exercise
Staying on your computer throughout the day with no real breaks can cause burnout, so set time aside from your schedule to go out and grab a bite, talk to people, get some fresh air, and stretch your muscles.
Taking 15-20 minute breaks after every hour can boost your blood flow and productivity. Boost your brain performance further by exercising regularly (bonus points if you do this outside in the fresh air).
4. Avoid or Reduce Distractions
When working from home, it’s easy to get lost in mental pictures of everything else you need to do around the house, and email and social media alerts can also be distracting.
You can minimize these issues by freezing social media applications, so you don’t get notifications as you work. You may also wish to disable notifications or alerts for any distracting apps. Additionally, if working when others are in the house, you can put a “do not disturb” sign on the door.
5. Keep Regular Office Hours
If you’re working with a free schedule from your boss, set reasonable working hours and allocate time for your family and yourself.
Does your employer contact you at all hours of the day? Ask them if it’s possible to have dedicated working hours so anything related to work can be done at that time. Let them know what time you will be available by phone or online. By establishing a schedule that includes contact hours, you can create those necessary boundaries between work and downtime.
6. Have a Work Schedule or Plan
Instead of just working free-flow, create a list of things you want to do each day and set a time for each task. Keep your schedule flexible and realistic while setting time for breaks.
Your schedule will help you plan for tasks requiring more energy and focus. These should be scheduled when your brain is more active, while less involved tasks can be allocated to a different time.
Though it comes with many advantages, working from home can be a challenge. Thankfully, by making a few changes to how and where you work, you can hold onto your productivity and work-life balance.
