6 Helpful Tips to Stay Focused While Working from Home


While the number of people telecommuting and working from home is higher than ever, it received a boost recently because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While this may sound like an ideal situation for both employees and employers, there can be complications. For example, there are more distractions at home that may steal away an employee’s precious attention and impact productivity levels significantly.

If you are having to adjust to working from home, you may be looking for some help to ensure you remain on task. Keep reading for some of the best tips for working remotelyOpens in a new tab..

1. Create a Dedicated Workspace

It doesn’t matter if you are working in a nook in your kitchen or if you have a sprawling home office, you need a dedicated office. Even those who live in an urban area where square footage is limited need to create a space that is strictly for work.

A dedicated workspace is the most important element. It is too easy to sit on your couch with your laptop, but your ergonomics and posture will not be right, and you will likely be close to the television, which is an obvious distraction. You need to create a work area that is going to help you maximize your productivity.

2. Stay Away from Social Media

There is no rabbit hole that is more tempting than social media. While taking a quick scroll through Instagram may not seem like a big deal, it can actually be a rather significant time suck. The good news is, there are some things that can help you remain focused.

One of these productivity tips is an app called Stay Focused. When you are working from home, social media can be one of the worst distractions. With Stay Focused, you can avoid these distractions by restricting the amount of time you are spending on them. This is a Google Chrome extension and it allows you to set certain time restrictions for specific websites with a default option of 10-minutes. Once your time is used, the sites will be blocked for the rest of the day.

3. Dress the Part

While you do not have to wear a pencil skirt or three-piece suit when you aren’t leaving the house, there is a balance you need to achieve when getting ready for work in the morning. This is all about having a daily ritual and a business mindset.

People are creatures of habit and it is essential that you have good habits. While sitting around in your pajamas may be comfortable, it is not possible to get in a professional mindset if this is how you dress. It is not really about how you look that is important – it is all about getting yourself in a professional mindset.

While you need to wear clothing that is comfortable, you also need a morning routine. What this means is that you brush your teeth and change out of your pajamas. This is essential, even if you are just changing into yoga pants.

4. Set Boundaries

It is a very common misconception that if you are working remotely, it means you are not really working. If someone invites you to a long lunch or a movie break, it may be difficult to get across that you have to put in your hours, as well.

Many people will not realize you are working from home unless you tell them. By saying the time you are available instead of waiting for people to tell you when they can meet, you will be in the driver’s seat. Working from home is not a disadvantage, so you should not make excuses for it. You will be available when you have time, regardless of if you are in the office, or not. Remember, you have to let people know how they should treat you and your time working.

5. Avoid Procrastination 

If you think it is pretty tempting to procrastinateOpens in a new tab. when you are in the office, it is even worse when you are at home, where there are many more distractions. It is easy to put things off to later in the day or to do them first thing tomorrow because you are not bound by typical office hours. However, if you do this, it may increase your stress levels, as you are pushed up against a strict deadline.

6. Save Chores for Later

While it may be tempting to run the dishwasher while you are at work or take a break to vacuum. However, if you do this, it may interrupt your focus and flow.

If you want to ensure that you can work from home successfully, you need to keep the tips and information here in mind. It will help ensure that you are successful and productive while you are working from home. While this may be a new situation, it does not mean you cannot get your work done in a timely and efficientOpens in a new tab. manner.

Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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