As convenient and beneficial as working from home can be, it can also prove to be damaging to productivity.
The trouble is, up until now, you probably have associated your home as a space for relaxing. So, it can be difficult switching to a more productive mindset when you are in the comfort of your home. For me as a woman, my home is associated with an endless cycle of housework. I always see something in my surroundings to clean, wash, cook, and I have to consciously dissociate myself from being a housewife and switch my mind to that of an entrepreneur.
The good news is, there are ways to boost your productivity when remote working. Here, I will share with you some of the ways to stay productive when working at home.
Be prepared for the day ahead
When you go out to work, you know there are things you need to do to get ready for the day. You have a routine which prepares you for work. However, when you start working from home you don’t really have that.
Lack of work structure imposed from outside can be tricky. It seems that you can enjoy the freedom you want and decide when and how you will work. After all, this is one of the benefits of being your own boss. You don’t even have to worry about your appearance and waste time commuting. But it soon turns out that it is the absence of these forced habits that take away our chance to `sink and mobilize to another mode.
Rather than thinking you can now work in your pyjamas all day, make the effort to get dressed. (Sometimes I dress smart if a complex task is waiting on the day my mood doesn`t follow the challenge!) Create a morning routine which sets you up for work. That way, you’ll find it much easier to stay productive if your mindset is geared towards work.
Put the work off to go outside
Suddenly being cooped up in the house all day can be detrimental to productivity. It can cause issues with low mood and leave you feeling less motivated to get through your workload.
When we feel the pressure of the plethora of tasks ahead of us, we tend to sit long hours at the desk. But I’ve found that by not controlling the time I spend in one sitting position, my productivity drops significantly. I feel tired and annoyed and it’s becoming more and more problematic to focus on the same task. The best way to do this is to go outside, regardless of the weather. Dog owners have a very good opportunity to do this.
By taking regular breaks and making time to get out into the yard, it can really boost your mood and productivity. If you don`t go for a walk spend just 10-15 minutes gardening or reading a book outdoors to help raise the level of performance. Taking regular breaks away from your computer is important, not just for productivity but for your health too.
Tap into the power of nature
Did you know that plants and flowers can help you to feel more motivated? Adding them into your workspace can help to brighten up the working environment. Numerous studies have shown how effective greenery can be within an office environment. So, if you want an easy way to stay productive, add a few houseplants and flowers to your home office.
You can also utilize the power of scent too. In some countries, workplaces spray citrus scents to boost employee productivity. Try experimenting with different scents to see which ones make you work more efficiently.
Staying efficient as a solo entrepreneur isn’t easy but it is doable. The above are some of the methods you can try to increase your productivity when working from home.
What’s one pragmatic way to help you make your day-to-day work more effective?
May your day today be a satisfactory one.
Aleksandra
