There’s a reason why so many people love working remotely. OK, so there are actually several reasons: no coworkers to bother you, no boss breathing down your neck, no office dress code, no traffic…the list goes on and on and on. That being said, not everyone has an easy time adjusting to the work-from-home lifestyle. For every hyper-productive person that thrives off remote work, there’s another personlike you, maybewho struggles to remain focused and productive outside of their regular office environment. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
First, let us just say that this is nothing to be ashamed about. Transitioning from working full-time at an office to being entirely remote is a huge adjustment. It’s like forcing a night owl to suddenly become a morning personit just doesn’t happen overnight. So, cut yourself some slack. And once you’ve done that, read on for our best tips to maximize your productivity while working remotely.
- Dress for the Day
Though it may seem pointless to change out of your pajamas for remote work, there are several reasons why you should bother getting dressed in real clothes. First, dressing for the day in casual and comfy clothes can help trigger your brain into work mode, and give your day more structure. It can also boost your confidence and make you feel less like a depressed hermit. You don’t need to fuss over accessories or wear sky-high heels to your home office or anything like that. If you want to rock a casual t-shirt with a comfy skirt, we’re all for it. As long as you’re not in danger of falling asleep in your work wear or embarrassing yourself during a video conference, you’re in the clear.
- Choose Your Workspace Wisely
PSA: your bed is not a suitable workspace. If you continue working from bed, your brain will eventually come to think of it as a place for work and not relaxation. Do yourselfand your sleep qualitya huge favor by keeping a designated workspace away from your bed. If the real estate gods didn’t bless you with a spare room for work, there are plenty of corner desk options to help you transform an unused corner into a stylish home office. By carving out a space for work, you can get yourself into the I’m going to work mindset and rev up your productivity in the process. Best of all, you won’t be tempted to take a nap at 2 pm.
- Minimize Distractions
With no coworkers or boss to stop by your desk, you would think that working from home would have less distractions, right? Not so. In fact, many people find it more difficult to work from home because there is always something that is nagging at them, whether it be the dirty dishes in the sink or the neighbor noisily mowing their lawn (pro tip: invest in noise-canceling headphones, ASAP).
If you’re easily distracted at home, identify what typically pulls you out of work and come up with simple solutions for them. For instance, are you constantly checking social media? Turn off your alerts to help you stay on task. Does the dog beg to be played with mid-day? Consider putting her in doggie daycare on your busiest days. With less distractions tugging at your mind, you’ll find it much easier to hunker down and work.
- Exercise!
Making time for exercise is super important, especially when you work remotely. At a regular office, you probably burned more calories than you realized by taking the stairs and visiting coworkers at their cubicles. Now that you work from home, it’s easy to lose track of time and sit for hours on end. To avoid excessive sitting, set a timer to remind yourself to get moving. If you’re particularly crunched for time, rock your athleisure wear and try to sneak in small bursts of fitness throughout the day. Not only will you feel more confident and capable, but you’ll also be more productive to boot.
- Fuel Up the Right Way
On a similar note: don’t eat junk! It’s ridiculously easy to polish off an entire bag of chips when you’re all alone, staring at a screen. Along with packing on some serious poundage, mindless snacking can leave you feeling sluggish and unmotivated. The simple solution is to eat healthy foods, but for some of us, that’s not so easy to do. If you snack because you’re swamped with work, try to set aside a single day for healthy meal prep. This way, you have healthy meals ready for you whenever hunger strikes. And if you snack mindlessly out of boredom, try keeping healthier snacks in single servings close by (think: a small pack of almonds or an apple).
- Stay Clean and Organized
Working in a cluttered workspace can tank your productivitynot to mention, add unnecessary stress to your life! If your desk is constantly littered with papers, pens and random knickknacks, it’s hardly surprising that you’re having trouble staying on-task. To enhance your efficiency and productivity, keep your desk clean and organized. Install a pegboard, leverage desk organizers and use color-coordinated dividers to keep things neat and tidy. Your materials will be a million times easier to find and you’ll have a stress-free space that will motivate you to get things done.
- Know When to Call It a Day
Having a flexible schedule can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you’re now free to set your own hours and work in a way that maximizes your productivity. On the other hand, it’s more difficult to keep your personal and professional lives separate. If you don’t want to suffer from job burnout, it’s important to recognize when to call it a day. After clocking in your eight hours, step away from the computer and resist the urge to check your work email. You’ll be happier and more productive the next day as a result!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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