Staying Productive When You’re Working From Home
If you have a desk job, chances are you’re currently working remotely out of your apartment. Due to the spread of the coronavirus, office workers are switching to work-from-home models in order to stay safe and healthy. While it can be nice to work from the comfort of your apartment, it’s also very easy to get distracted from your assignments.
Below we’ve highlighted some tips and tricks you can use while you’re working from home. By following them, you’ll should stay productive with your projects and assignments.
Set Up a Dedicated Workspace
Finding a proper location in your apartment where you can work efficiently is the first thing you should do. Find a quiet area with plenty of natural light where you can set up a desk and chair. Creating your own workspace will make it feel like you’re going to the office and will help you maintain your daily routine. As a result, it’ll be much easier to get into your work each day.
As tempting as it may be, don’t work from the couch or while resting in your bed. Temptation to put down your work and watch TV or take a quick nap will take over. Try to work as far away from distracting elements as possible so you can stay focused on your work until the day concludes.
Create a To-Do List Each Day
Another thing you should do is create a to-do list for yourself each morning before you start work. Pull up a list of all the assignments you need to work on for that week. Review each of the assignments and set aside some time each day to work on them.
By doing this before you start work, you won’t have to waste precious hours deciding which assignments to focus on first. You can get right into your work and you’ll find yourself getting more done each day.
While you’re creating your schedule, make sure you set aside time for breaks throughout the day. Working nonstop will lead to burnout, and you won’t be able to get much done when you don’t have any energy or motivation.
Remember to Get Dressed
Since you’re working at home, it can be tempting to stay cozy in your pajamas while you’re handling assignments. Believe it or not, this can will put a damper on your productivity levels. If you stay in the outfit you wore when you were sleeping, your brain will still think it’s time to go to sleep, and you’ll feel groggy throughout the day.
Even if you aren’t going to see your coworkers, get into the habit of dressing in the clothes you usually wear at work. This will make it easier for your body to understand that it’s time to work, and you’ll feel much more energetic. Try to set out some clothes each night so you can get dressed as soon as you hop out of the shower.
Limit Your Time Social Media
With no one looking over your shoulder, it can be easy for you to start checking social media sites more often. While it’s good to keep in contact with friends and check the news, you need to limit the amount of time you’re spending on these websites. If you don’t impose some self-control, you’ll end up wasting a lot of time you could have spent working.
Only check social media during breaks, and even then you should spend just a few minutes browsing. If you can’t keep yourself off Facebook or YouTube, it might be a good idea to simply block these sites during work hours. It’s easy to take advantage of your time out of the office, so don’t let yourself get distracted.
Listen to Something While You Work
One other way you can motivate yourself is by listening to something while you’re doing work. Try playing some soothing music in the background, or load up a podcast to listen to while you’re handling some longer assignments. Doing this will put you in a better mood, and will motivate you to put your all into your work.
One of the benefits of working from home is that you don’t have to worry about distracting your coworkers. That gives you the opportunity to listen to whatever you want to, without the need to wear headphones. Of course, wearing headphones can be beneficial, since they can block out distracting sounds.
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