Top 5 Work From Home Productivity Tips
It's been over a year since many of us transitioned from going to an office every day to working from home. Since then, our routines have largely changed for the better: We get to spend more time with our family and doing things for ourselves and less time commuting. Plus, companies realized that their employees can be productive at home—and there’s research that backs this up. A recent study showed most people feel more productive in the comfort of their home. But how do we ensure this is actually true? As our work-from-home situations become more permanent, it’s important to reevaluate just how productive we are continuing to be. So we rounded up the most helpful tips to increase productivity as you work from home.
Have you ever noticed that when you start off your day late or behind schedule you are late to everything else that day? I know this has happened to me. One of the many benefits of having a morning routine is that it helps you set a tone for the rest of the day. I know what you might be thinking. “I don't want to wake up an hour earlier for a morning routine when all I technically have to do is roll out of bed before my first Zoom call. I would rather sleep.” I can totally relate, but as soon as I implemented a set routine for my morning, I discovered the impact it has on my entire day. The key to not having to wake up super early is to prepare everything the night before. Review your schedule so you know exactly what your day looks like, make your lunch, and choose your outfit—or better yet, just plan to wear your WorkRobe. This shortens your routine considerably (and you know you’ll be comfortable so you won’t dread the whole “putting on real clothes” ordeal).
There is a reason schools always required us to write everything down in a planner—it works. I know we think we can remember everything, but there's a certain point where the to-do list gets too long for us. That's why you want to make sure you write everything down with their due dates. Having due dates helps you know what to prioritize each day. We all have had those moments where we have so much that we need to prioritize that we don't know what to do first. It helps me to write everything down first, and then narrow it down to what is realistic for each day. The best way to go about this is to focus on three things that day that you feel are most important and need to be completed. If you don't like lists, using a calendar is also a great option to view your entire week.
One of the many downfalls from working from home is that you don't stop working. I have caught friends, family, and myself working way past normal business hours. The reason this happens is because you lose track of time and there’s no clear cut break between the workday and quitting time—we never leave the office when the office is home. Overworking leads you to be exhausted the next day, though, and it leads to general burnout. Having scheduled breaks during work makes you more conscious of your time. You might think that you don’t have enough time for a break because you have so much to do, but scheduling breaks has proven benefits. Some of the benefits include boosting creativity, lowering stress levels, improving overall mental health, and of course, the increase in productivity. Block out the time on your calendar as a scheduled break so you are more likely to take it, instead of telling yourself you will take some unspecified time in the middle of the afternoon. Tell coworkers you are away from your computer and really unplug during these breaks.
It seems like everyone got a new hobby or at least started dedicating time to a hobby over the last year. It doesn’t have to be a typical hobby or something outrageous—going to the gym, learning a new skill, reading a book, etc.—anything counts so just make sure it’s something you enjoy. The important thing is doing something you enjoy that’s for just you. Combining your hobbies and scheduled breaks is a great way to allow yourself to destress without completely unwinding. Plus, there are a lot of benefits of having a hobby. They are great for “me time” but they can also help advance your career (if you’re cultivating a skill, for example), they can re-energize you, and they can improve overall happiness, too. Happy people make more productive people. When people say “take a break,” it doesn’t necessarily mean take a nap or don't do anything. Re-thinking breaks as ways to invest in your hobbies can make you feel more productive.
We all have a place in our home where we sit down to work, but have you ever had that moment where the space you’re working from just isn’t doing it for you anymore? When this happens to me, I’ve noticed a change of scenery does the trick. It can be a small move: Instead of sitting at your desk, move into the kitchen. Or if you have a balcony, try responding to some emails out there for a while. My favorite way to change up my scenery is going to work at a local coffee shop, and if they have an outside area, even better.
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Written By: Aixa Brandt Social Content Creator Intern