The luxury of working from home every day was once a dream for many employees; now it is quickly becoming the new normal. According to CNBC, 70 percent of all employees work from home at least once a week. Many of these people work from home every day.
If you’re one of the people who work remotely, you may find that you have trouble staying on task and productive throughout the day. We want to give you some advice on how you can capture the dream of working fromF home. These tips are all designed to help you get more done from your home office and live a happier, more productive life.
Develop a Routine
Many people think working from home means you get to work whenever you feel like it, just as long as you finish your assigned work on a daily or weekly basis. This theory is technically correct, but it’s still crucial that you create a routine set around when you’re the most productive.
Some people work well in the mornings, others thrive in the afternoon, and some people are night owls and like to accomplish their daily tasks late at night. You know your body better than anyone. Recognize your most productive hours during the day and craft a schedule that fits in that time frame. It’s essential that you stick to this schedule, as it will help you get more done if you don’t have a direct supervisor looking over your shoulder.
Avoid Work Creep
Work creep is a common occurrence in employees who work from home. Essentially, work creep is when your day to day work activities start to blend in with your personal life. It’s not hard to figure out why this happens to people. If your office and your home are in the same place, you may find yourself thinking about work after you’re done with everything for the day.
If you want to get more done while working remotely, you must learn to mentally clock out at the end of the day. When you find yourself wandering over to your computer to check on your work for the next day, or compulsively checking your phone for new messages or emails from work, you have to stop and remind yourself that you’re done with your job for the day.
Make sure you’re doing something that you enjoy every day, whether it’s reading a book, playing a game, or spending time with your family. A balanced schedule with both work and fun is vital for reducing stress and staying productive.
Use a Planner
A planner is a great tool designed to help you accomplish more while working. There are multiple ways you can create your planner. Some people are fond of using a small notebook and writing down their daily tasks and crossing them off as they go along.
If you’d rather use an online planner, there are tools available through Slack, Basecamp, and Trello and many other resources that give you the freedom to create a planner based on daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. It’s a good idea to create your schedule for the week in advance so you can anticipate upcoming projects and keep track of your progress.
When you add a calendar or planner to your routine, you’ll find that it’s much easier to get things done and plan for the future.
Eat Healthy Meals and Exercise
Eating healthy is crucial to your health, so it only makes sense that it would have a direct impact on your professional life. Make sure you’re eating a balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein.
These healthy eating habits will give you the long term energy you need to get through your workday. Eating complete meals will also prevent you from getting up while working and hitting the fridge for an extra snack. A well-fed mind is always more productive than one that is starved of essential nutrients.
If you’re not exercising, it’s also a great idea to exercise at least a few days a week. Working from home promotes a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to poor circulation and health. Since you’ll be moving less in your home than you would in a traditional office, make sure you’re getting the exercise you need to keep your blood pumping to your brain and your body healthy.
Conclusion
Working from home comes with plenty of benefits including a flexible schedule, a five-second commute, and the ability to work in your pajamas. Outside of the benefits, there are additional challenges not found in the traditional office setting. These tips are designed to help you overcome those challenges and finally get more done when you work from home.