Are you a handmade artist, a freelancing individual or any other type of creator who is running a business from home?
Well, you’re not alone in your struggle for productivity: as freeing as it may be to actually set our own working hours and to do our thing without leaving the house, we all run into a stump every now and then. Ugh!
Procrastination can be quite the temptress, not to mention it’s terrifyingly easy to get distracted by various small chores that need to be done around the house.
So how can you fight these impulses and stay concentrated even if you’re working from home? Keep reading to find out:
How To Stay Productive Working From Home – 8 Actionable Tips
Tip #1: Focus For Short Bursts Of Time
As the saying goes, work smarter, not harder: set a certain amount of time in which you commit to focusing on one task and one task only. Once that’s done, take a short break, assess your progress and start all over again. Pro tip: try the Pomodoro Technique if you feel like using an established framework.
Tip #2: Organize Your Entire Week Beforehand
Take out your agenda on Sunday evening and write down everything that needs to be done over the course of the following week. Set aside time for work, but also for recreational activities, administrative tasks, packaging and shipping, shopping for supplies etc. Having a road map laid ahead of you will make your productivity levels spike because you know what needs to be done and, most importantly, when.
Tip #3: Set Some Specific Days For Shipping Your Products
This may vary, depending on the type of business you have or on what you’re selling. Typically, making a clear separation between your creative time and your administrative tasks should help you stay focused and way, way more productive. It may help if you set specific days when you only deal with packaging and shipping. Say, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Don’t forget to let your customers know about this rule so you can enjoy the creative process in peace.
Tip #4: Wake Up Earlier
When working from home, the temptation to sleep in is real and ever-present. Counteract this by setting a reasonably early waking hour so as to have time for breakfast, coffee and maybe even for a workout. This way, you’ll get your creative juices flowing and get pumped up for the day’s work.
Tip #5: Set Up Separate Spaces For Separate Activities
Set up an actual office desk in a quiet nook and use it only for work. After a while, you’ll subconsciously associate that space with focusing intensely, resulting in a faster working pace and in more satisfying results.
Tip #6: Get Ready As If You Were Going To An Actual Office
In the morning, don’t just head to your desk and sit down for work. Chances are, if you’re still in your pajamas, you won’t really commit. Instead, shave or apply some light make-up, do your hair and then put on something moderately dressy (and an apron, if needed). Observe your state of mind as it becomes more determined and focused.
Tip #7: Clearly Set Aside Sufficient Time To Work Without Being Interrupted
Working from home means that everybody will assume you’re always available, so combat this idea with “work hours”. Set your working hours as seriously as you would in an actual office environment and let your husband and your kids (if they’re old enough) know. A couple of hours when you can work uninterrupted (no phone calls, unexpected visits etc.) can dramatically increase your daily productivity.
Tip #8: Enjoy Procrastination Every Once In A While, But Don’t Let It Take Over
Procrastination happens even to the best of us and that’s ok. Don’t guilt trip yourself, but don’t turn it into a habit either. Enjoy it moderately. After all, who can resist checking their Facebook or Instagram feed every once in a while? :) Discipline yourself to balance out these short breaks with uninterrupted work time as suggested back in Tip #1 and procrastination will be less likely to take over.
Your turn: what are your tips for staying productive while working from home?
Images via Pixabay,