It is rumored that William Shakespeare wrote his play “King Lear” during the long quarantine of the Black Plague 1. I don’t want to put too much pressure on you, but I’m convinced that you too can make a lot of use of this time of working from home.
In this mini-article, I want to give you my best five tips to work productively at home and feel satisfied at the end of the day. And if you’ve been working at home for a long time, this will also help.
I promise you you’ll only have to spend a few minutes to finish reading.
“If there are nine rabbits on the ground, if you want to catch one, just focus on one.”
– Jack Ma
For more than five years, I have been running an online business.
Which means that for five years I’ve been working from home (or from anywhere in the world)
And yes, it’s just as you imagine it.
Sometimes cleaning the kitchen or folding clean clothes seems to be more important.
Sometimes, I’m working in my pajamas and not combing my hair.
There are mornings when I have no desire to work (and I take my laptop to bed or the couch).
Some days, I can’t stop, and I keep working until very late at night.
But, most of the time, I try to hold on to my routine.
That’s the key: having a healthy routine.
Without it, you’ll lose control over time, and the tasks accumulate, the stress increases, and the tiredness at the end of the day becomes apparent.
Many companies are implementing “telework” or work policies from the comfort of your home these days.
This has a lot of advantages, for example, if you don’t have to move, you can spend more time with your family, have more freedom over time, and sleep more.
But working productively from home can become a new challenge for you.
Maybe if you’re used to being in an office, working from the dining room at home will require extra effort.
So if you’re new to the club we work at the home of, here’s what your daily routine must have to be more productive, make a time better from you (even with children at home)
It all comes down to creating an entry and exit ritual.
One of the advantages of working at home is simply not having to travel from your home to the workplace.
And if you think about it, this saves us a lot of time (and money).
The downside is that you no longer have that series of activities that helped you separate your home from work.
Your brain doesn’t function as a power-on button, but requires a series of activities to help you get into “work mode.”
And what can I do to activate “working mode” ?…
Well, here are 5 tips that can help you be more productive and feel more satisfied at the end of the day.
Works under the same schedule and/or under a stopwatch
Getting into “work mode” is sometimes as difficult as getting out of it.
It’s happened to me! Sometimes I’m so focused that I decide to go on and on and keep working, which in the long run, is not healthy both physically and mentally.
That’s why it’s important to have schedules.
Having a schedule is like the skeleton of your routine, it gives structure and shape to your day.
Maybe you have kids at home and, at night or very early in the morning, you find the best time to work.
Maybe, you like to start the morning relaxed and activate “work mode” at noon after lunch.
So no matter what schedules you’re working on, the important thing is that you’re very clear.
Having schedules has several benefits:
- You’ll be able to better manage all those activities that aren’t related to work like: cleaning the house, cooking, playing, etc.
- You’re more productive because you know that you only have that amount of time and now to move forward with your pending tasks.
- You avoid distractions because your family may know when you’re in “work mode” and when you’re not.
You could even say goodbye to your family like you really go to work.
A simple bye-bye can help activate your “work mode” without leaving home.
If you definitely can’t set aside time or are looking to improve your focus, working with a stopwatch can help.
This means that you activate your “working mode” for fixed periods.
This is useful when the family is at home, and there is always something to do steadily.
So, for example, work for 20 minutes focused and have 15 minutes to chat with your partner, pet the dog, or continue with the puzzle of your children.
The fixed period, it’s up to you, but I suggest it’s more than 15 minutes to make them more profitable.
Dress up
If you already know you’re not leaving the house, it’s tempting to stay in your pajamas all day long.
What’s more, I bet if you have a video call to make, you’ll probably just change the top.
But this doesn’t help you feel productive.
TIP: being productive begins when we feel in the “work mode.”
Research indicates that wearing more formal clothing can improve cognitive processing and creativity.
Taking off the clothes you wear to sleep and putting on comfortable clothes will be enough to let your brain know it’s time to get started.
Also, seeing yourself in the most presentable mirror will increase your confidence, self-esteem, and mood improve.
And hey! The dressing also includes brushing your teeth and styling.
Work in the same place and/or with the same device.
If you don’t have a studio or desk at home, the kitchen, a living area, dining room, and even an open closet can become your office.
And when you’re in the office, there’s nothing else to do but work.
If you feel like talking to a friend, eating, or checking your Instagram, you have to find another space in your house to do so.
This helps your brain to easily activate “work mode.”
I suggest that you don’t work on the bed or on the couch because your brain already relates them to rest activities.
One thing that has helped me a lot is to have one device to work with and another for entertainment. This way, you’ll avoid being distracted during your productive time.
For example, your computer or laptop is only intended for work, and your phone or tablet is intended to watch YouTube, corona Virus news, or Netflix.
Also Read: 7 Practices To Break The Cycle of Anxious Thinking
Have a door to close (even if it’s invisible)
You’re lucky enough to have a workplace with a door, Great!
All you have to do is close the door for as long as you’re in “work mode.”
But, if for some reason you can’t close the door (for example you have small children at home) or, you don’t have a place with a door, no problem.
All you have to do is invent one.
Let me explain it better: take some action that marks the beginning of your time for work.
Here are some examples:
- Put on headphones or earphones (even without music)
- Add volume to your music.
- A “do not disturb” note
Let the people you live with know that when the door is closed or “that action” is happening, it is best not to be distracted.
Also Read: 12 Myths About Self-Development
Respect your fun time
Just like you read.
If you are in “work mode,” you also have to have a “fun mode.” Even if it is only 30 minutes, it’s essential to set aside this time for yourself.
The research found a positive association between non-working creative activities and increased performance and creativity at work.
If this applies to you, you can also include more family members. Maybe watching a family movie or playing with your pet are activities that relax you and help your brain get into “fun mode.”
Ready.
I want to tell you that I wrote this article following the 5 tips:
- I work when the baby takes its nap longer at noon (hopefully)
- I’m wearing comfortable pants.
- I only work with my laptop and my headphones without music (in case of the baby cries)
- Probably while you’re reading this, I’m already in my fun mode. 🙂
You, too, take advantage of this situation and put yourself in “work mode” with these tips.
Also Read: 15 Ways To Reduce Stress At Work – How To Reduce Stress
And what tips can you share to be more productive at home?… I see you in the comments!
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Good blog. I literally liked the part where you say to dress up and do your work. Stay motivated