Working from home isn’t the easiest job in the world. In fact, when you’re juggling work, children, and other responsibilities, it can actually be quite daunting. However, it’s not impossible. There’s a way to find a groove in the midst of potential uncertainty. If you’re in a position that requires you to work from home, know that it’s actually possible to find hacks that allow you to thrive. Consider the following tricks you can utilize in order to make the most of a work-from-home situation.
1. Consider Starting Early
Most people don’t like to wake up early in the morning. Unless you have newborns who wake up throughout the night, it’s an excellent idea to set your alarm for 4 am or 5 am. When you’re able to wake up before everyone in your home, you’ll be able to experience peace and calm before the chaos begins. When you’re really able to focus, it’s actually a lot easier to get more things done within a smaller timeframe. While it’ll take the adjustment of going to bed earlier, starting early can actually be the major game-changer in your entire routine.
2. Set Timers
Timers can keep you accountable. If you struggle with procrastination, ADHD or an inability to focus, setting a timer may help you to remain focused and on task. Start small by setting the timer for ten minutes. For ten minutes, do your best to focus on whatever task you have in front of you. Keep setting the timer for another ten minutes until the tasks are complete. As you build that skill, you can move the timer to 15 minutes, 20 minutes, and more. Before long, you might get to a point where sitting and focusing for an hour feels like a breeze.
3. Take Breaks
Even if you take a five-minute break every hour, this can help to provide a bit of spontaneity and interest to your day. Within those five-minute breaks, check on your children. Do a few push-ups or stretches to increase circulation. Step outside to get some fresh air. Pour yourself a glass of water or a cup of coffee. If you do this each hour or every other hour, this can help you use the rest of your work time wisely.
4. Maintain the Right Tools and Support
If you have a slow computer, take it to a computer support specialist or technician in order to take care of the repairs. A slow computer will frustrate you, and it will impede your ability to focus and succeed. If you’re reliant on a good WiFi signal in order to do your job, invest in the right option for high-performing speed. The same concept applies to investing in other tools such as dedicated server hosting, backup hard drives, and more. When you have the physical tools and support systems in place, it’s much easier to confidently perform.
5. Know When to Call It Quits
The later it gets, the harder it becomes to focus and really get anything done. Unless you have a looming deadline, try your best to stick within set work hours. When you work from home, don’t make the mistake of thinking you have the entire day to get work done. Just like you have a set start time and end time for your workday in the office, create the same boundary at home. When you know that you’re on a timed deadline, this might force you to avoid procrastination at all costs.
6. Consider Your Nutrition
If you find that you’re usually feeling sluggish and tired around a certain time of the day, pay attention to what you’re eating. For many people, a heavy lunch is a death sentence to productivity. Consider enjoying a light, healthy lunch that can provide satiety without weighing you down. If you need supplements to energize your body, try Vitamin B12 supplements or another option that’s approved by your physician.
7. Designate a Specific Area for Work
In order to develop a good routine, create an area that’s solely for work. When you sit in that chair and put on your headphones, you already know that it’s time to perform. Psychologically, it can help you develop a rhythm. It’s also helpful because it designates a space that’s not for comfort, relaxation, or conversations. Try to make sure your bed isn’t near your work area so that you’re not tempted to get back into it.
8. Curate a Good Playlist
Outside of your office hours, take time to curate a great playlist that helps you focus and get your work done. Whether you love classical music, 90s slow jams, or white noise, curate a mix will help you drown out the noise as you put your headphones on. There are studies that point to classical music and Lo-Fi (low-fidelity) music as major game-changers for productivity.
When you have a great, productive day, pay attention to the experiences that contributed to that performance. Track your progress in order to see how you can develop some stability and similar results. Never give up on your goals to remain productive as you work from home. With a determined mindset and consistent efforts, anything is possible.
