The ability to work from home is a gift for most people, and it seems that Millennials are reaping the benefits. More and more businesses and startups are creating opportunities for employees to work remotely, as long as they have an internet connection and a laptop. The benefits of working from home are obvious, and those who can make a living in this manner consider themselves incredibly lucky.
But there is one little obstacle for most who work from home – distraction. With dirty laundry piling up in the corner, the cat asking for a petting, the baby wanting attention, or the kitchen cupboards that are never organized, despite all your efforts, it’s easy to procrastinate. And without a boss to keep you in check, it’s tempting to have just one chore done before going to work – one chore turns into two, then three, and you get the idea.
Being productive is the goal of any job, whether the employee is at home or an office, but with nothing stopping the home-bound employee from distraction, some rules should be put in place to stay on track.
Tips for Work-From-Home Productivity
1. Get dressed
As silly as it seems, getting dressed is one of the most important things you can do if you work from home. Getting up in the morning, showering, and dressing as if you are heading out to work really helps get your head in the game. It sends the message that you’re not just at home on a day off and are instead ready to start your day. Getting dressed each morning means building a habit of productivity, and your brain will begin to expect it and be ready every time you put on that dress shirt.
2. Remove distractions
We have more distractions today than ever before: our phones, tablets, laptops, televisions, and a host of other things are constantly vying for our attention, letting us know about our friends and family and what they’re up to, reminding us about that game we installed yesterday that we haven’t gotten around to trying. However, in order to be productive, it’s important to actually keep the things that typically distract you as far away as possible – “out of sight, out of mind”. So, turn the sound off on anything that makes it, stick everything in a drawer in another room, and come back to it on your break or in the evening.
3. Give yourself a clean space
A mess is distracting. It’s not easy to focus on work, if your table is cluttered, or if there is a growing mountain of plates to your immediate left. Make sure to clear the space you typically work on, dust if necessary, and have plenty of light. If you want to be productive, make your workspace conducive to that.
4. Take breaks
Sitting down all day is bad for your health, and it’s especially bad when you are working from home. We tend to get a little stir-crazy when we are cooped up in the house all day. Go outside and take a walk and get some fresh air. You will be surprised at how much more productive you can be and how much your mood can improve after taking a short break.
Following these tips will help you enjoy the benefits of working from home while maintaining your productivity. If you have any tips of your own, leave them in the comments below!
Giant is always looking for more talented freelancers to join our team. If you are a freelance professional who works from home, we would love to hear from you!