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Working From Home Tips for Staying Productive

Working From Home Tips for Staying Productive

If you’re one of the many people transitioning to remote working for the foreseeable future, it’s important to create a space within your home that allows you to stay focused and productive. In honor of National Work From Home Day, we’re giving you some working from home tips to help you stay focused and motivated while battling the common distractions of working from home.

What Do I Need to Set Up a Home Office?

Setting up a home office used to be thought of as an expensive process, but with the ways technology has evolved over the years, it’s easier than ever to transfer your workspace to home.

Start by taking stock of what you use on a daily basis in the office. Obviously you will need access to wifi, a computer (or laptop), a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse. Maybe you’ll need a printer/scanner, filing cabinet, paper, pens, and other basic office supplies, as well.

It’s also important to make sure you have a comfortable chair and a large enough desk to get work done. Home office furniture is an overlooked aspect of creating the perfect productive work environment for you.

A major key to being productive while working from home is where you’ll be physically sitting and working throughout the day. Create an environment that feels like an office and you will perform like you’re in an office.

Next, you’ll need to take a look at the applications your remote team will be using so you can prepare a routine. Are you communicating over Zoom, Google Hangouts, Slack, or something else?

How often are you checking in with your supervisor? How are you sharing files with coworkers? These are important questions to answer before you start your remote working journey.

How Do I Maximize Productivity While Working From Home?

Anyone that has ever worked in an office can tell you that there is a certain routine that helps you get through the day. When you stay at home to work, follow those same routines as you would during a normal workday.

Wake up at the same time, get dressed in your normal work attire, make your coffee, and eat your breakfast. If you’re getting up regularly from your desk during the day to snack or make food, you will not be utilizing your work time well.

Additionally, prepare your lunch the night before just as you would if you were going into the office for your working hours. If your plan is to make lunch during lunch, you’ll notice the lunch break fly by much quicker than you’d prefer.

That leads us to another important productivity tip for working from home: take your breaks! Your breaks are extremely important to avoid burnout. Get up and take a walk or give someone a call to chat about something other than work. Don’t overwork yourself, because your productivity will dip in the long run.

A common mistake people will make when working from home is allowing their personal life to bleed into their work time. Do not make this mistake! You can do the dishes and clean the living room later. Focus on the task at hand, and pretend the areas outside of your home office do not exist while you are on the clock.

Your attention will be divided if you are on social media or talking to friends during the workday, as well. Once again, treat your home office like you would any regular office.

What Are the Perks of Working From Home?

There are many perks to working from home! Most of all, avoiding that nasty morning commute. You’ll save money on gas, and you’ll save sanity by staying off the roads during rush hour. When you ask long-time remote workers what their favorite perk of working from home is, the majority will tell you that they love avoiding the morning and evening commutes.

An underrated aspect of working from home is choosing the environment that fits your work style the best. Many offices use harsh overhead lights that can sometimes cause headaches. Fill your workspace with natural lights, and set that thermostat to whatever temperature keeps you comfy. From the time that you start work to the time that you end work, you get to choose the music, the lighting, and everything else!

Another great perk to working from home is the ability to focus without distractions. If done right, you could be more productive working from home than ever before! Of course, you will be communicating with your coworkers and remote team throughout the day, but without folks coming up to your desk and talking with you or those who sit near you, you can avoid falling into conversations that might distract from your workflow. Get in the zone and stay there!

What Are the Downsides of Working From Home?

While working from home can be great for some, it may be challenging at times. Some people are more easily distracted by the things around their home, such as pets, children, video games, etc. You must remember that your home office has the same rules as any normal workspace. If you wouldn’t do something in your regular office with coworkers around, you probably shouldn’t do it in your home office, either.

Many folks think remote jobs are PJs and laying bed while working all day, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It is not a good idea to lounge around while trying to work, because your mind will not be fully in “work mode”. To really stay productive while working from home, cut out the distractions. A great home office idea for increasing productivity is putting your office in an area of your home that will not be disturbed by others throughout the day.

Some might find working from home to be depressing due to isolation. It’s important to stay in touch with your coworkers during this time. One of the working from home tips that we touched on earlier was eliminating distractions by staying on-task, but you’re human, and you will need to socialize every now and then. Once again, use your breaks to their fullest, and do not overwork yourself.

Long-Term Working From Home Tips

At this point, you’ve become a working from home MASTER! You’ve followed our working from home tips, you’ve increased productivity, and you’re ready for the workweek. But… are you ready to do this for the foreseeable future?

If you’re feeling like clutter and lack of organization is preventing you from unlocking your full remote working potential, maybe it’s time to declutter. Cool Box Portable Storage makes decluttering a breeze with insulated portable storage containers that can be dropped off at your doorstep.

Take some time this weekend to re-organize your life by using Cool Box to store your extra items on-site, or at their secure yard for no additional rental cost. Cool Box makes life easier by giving you the flexibility – have the portable storage container dropped off at any time, fill it up at your leisure, and either store it on-site with you or off-site with them.

Plus, if you’re moving, Cool Box will drop off the container at your new house so you can unload your belongings at your own pace. Use Cool Box to maximize your productivity while working from home – de-clutter, and de-stress!

We hope these tips for working from home will find you well. While there are many pros and cons to remote working, you are now prepared to set up the perfect home office and to unlock your maximum productivity while working from home.