How can you be more productive while working from home?

To be more productive while working from home, create a special place to work that's comfy and free from things that can distract you. Make a schedule with clear work times and breaks. Write down your tasks and do the most important ones first. Try not to do many things at once because it can slow you down. Don't let unimportant notifications bother you. Be nice to yourself and know that it's okay if your productivity goes up and down. And when you finish something, even if it's a small thing, give yourself a little pat on the back.

I’ve been WFH for about 10 years now and here’s my number 1 key to being a successful WFH Time block & Color Code: in my work calendar, everything is blocked and/or color coded but that doesn’t mean I mark it all as “busy.” Some blocks I leave as “free” so that I have time for impromptu client and internal meetings but my color code anchors me in my priorities. One of my 15 minute Friday morning blocks is for preparing next week’s calendar. For me, this keeps me grounded in my goals and the work I need to do to accomplish my goals.

From my experience, having time that is not work time helps immensely. After you wake up, do not just jump straight onto the laptop and start work. Do anything else; exercise, some reading, listen to the news... It is important while working from home to do something other than working while you are at home. You need that time to decompress at the end of the day and also to warm yourself up before you start.

Setting a schedule is crucial, but flexibility is a unique advantage of remote work. Embrace 'micro-scheduling' with short, varied tasks interspersed with personal activities. This prevents burnout and respects your natural focus rhythms. Also, use tech tools for reminders or simulating 'commuting' to mentally transition between roles. Balance is key: structure your day, but enjoy the flexibility remote work affords.

You can improve your productivity with these strategies while working from home: Minimize Distractions: Silence your phone, close unnecessary computer tabs, and find a quiet workspace. Leverage Flexibility: If you have scheduling flexibility, align work hours with your peak productivity. Set Realistic Goals: Break tasks into manageable segments and set achievable daily goals. Take Regular Breaks: Periodic breaks, whether for movement or fresh air, maintain focus and prevent burnout. Delegate Effectively: Delegate tasks when possible to free up your time for higher-priority responsibilities. Self-Care is Key: Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise to enhance both physical and mental well-being, leading to improved work productivity.

To be more productive while working from home, create a dedicated workspace that is comfortable and conducive to focus. Ensure good lighting, ergonomic furniture, and minimal distractions. Keep a daily routine, minimize interruptions, set clear boundaries with family, and take regular short breaks to avoid burnout and maintain focus and productivity. Avoid working from your bed or couch, as it blurs the line between work and leisure, and maintain a clutter-free environment for enhanced concentration. Incorporating personal touches and plants can make the workspace more comfortable and inviting.

Prioritize ergonomics and good lighting, especially natural light, to boost mood and productivity. Don't forget the power of a change in scenery; 'workspace rotation' can refresh your mind, offering new perspectives when you feel stuck, mimicking the mental reset from moving around in traditional office environments.

I like to work in a laid back cozy environment working in my PJ’s. As an introvert working from home is heaven for me. 🤷♀️ 👉occasionally, even the most energetic designers need a little lazy day fun while working from home. Here's a laid-back, easygoing approach Right? 😎Find the coziest spot at home, snuggle up with your laptop (yes, even in your PJs), and call it your "design nest." You're just a creative bird in a comfy nest. 👌Desk gadgets Add fun desk gadgets like stress balls or a mini Zen garden. They're great for relaxation and a bit of creative play. My personal favorite. 💪Treat your design work as an art form. You're not just creating, you're crafting a masterpiece.

From my own experience, I can't stress enough how vital it is to have the right tools for creating a productive home workspace. First, investing in an ergonomic setup has been a game-changer for me. A comfortable chair and desk, paired with the right lighting, have significantly reduced physical strain and boosted my focus. It's like having a workstation customized to your needs. Taking breaks and incorporating movement into your day is another gem. I've found that scheduling short breaks to stretch, move around, or even sneak in a quick workout does wonders for maintaining energy levels. It's like hitting the refresh button on your productivity.

Whilst you can’t decompress on the commute, it is essential your work space can be “Closed”. Be it closing a lid or extinguishing a candle you need a physical trigger to move you from work to home.

Effective communication while remote working bridges the gap of physical distance, ensuring clarity and continued teamwork. It's more than staying updated; it's about maintaining human connections. Here's a pro tip: practice 'active communication.' Don't just share updates; initiate meaningful conversations, check on your colleagues, and be available. It reinforces team bonds and trust. Also, be mindful of 'communication fatigue.' With numerous channels buzzing, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Establish 'quiet hours' or 'no-meeting days' for focused work. Balance is essential to prevent burnout and preserve the quality of interactions, making the time spent on communication more productive and less about volume.

In my experience, it has been helpful to use tools to set weekly goals with your team and create spaces to share ideas and work together on those goals. Do you have a specific project for which you believe a colleague could provide valuable insights? If so, ask them for their feedback. This approach is a means of acknowledging their skills, fostering cross-functional communication, and achieving improved results.

Communication skills is the vessel for all soft skills. you need to work on your virtual communication and to practice it. Practice makes perfect, so use the different channels and mediums and evaluate yourself and your progress. Remember that you are aiming to be a better speaker and active listener in the virtual communication channels.

Maintain ongoing communication! While working remotely, it's all too easy to find oneself excluded from critical information loops, directly impacting workflow. This holds particularly true in companies with a hybrid workforce, where in-person exchanges may inadvertently sideline remote team members, potentially leading to missed opportunities. It is imperative for both organizations and employees to establish effective communication strategies that ensure comprehensive information dissemination, irrespective of physical location—whether on-site or working remotely.

Scheduled check-ins: While impromptu communications are vital, having scheduled daily or weekly check-ins with your team can establish a sense of routine and ensure that everyone is aligned with project goals and updates.

Taking breaks is essential, not optional. It's about working smarter, not longer. Quick insight: Implement the 'Pomodoro Technique'—short bursts of focused work followed by a brief respite. It maintains high energy and creativity levels, making problem-solving more effective. Moreover, diversify your break activities. Physical movement aids mental loosening, so a quick walk or stretch can rejuvenate more than passive scrolling on social media. These moments of disengagement are when 'eureka' insights often strike, as they allow the subconscious mind to work through complex problems. So, cherish your breaks; they're your brain's ally in maintaining sustained, high-quality performance.

Using a pomodoro clock gives you a good cadence of sprint and break. Since I often fulfill multiple tasks in a day, I like to focus on one for a time without multitasking. Pomodoro keeps me from focusing on one thing too long.

It's essential to manage your time and set clear boundaries. Work is work. Home is home. I like working with intense focus for a couple of hours to complete tasks or further a project. Then, I get away from my desk and take advantage of being able to start laundry, step outside, play with the dog, or plan and prepare for supper. I find I return to my desk with renwed vigor to devote my full attention to the next two or three hour block. My work life improves and my home life improves at the same time.

Nature exposure: If possible, utilize your breaks to step outside and get some fresh air or even a short walk. Natural light and exposure to nature can greatly uplift your mood and can help in breaking the monotony of being indoors.

In my experience, any physical activity during the breaks is a game-changer. I am lucky to be able to fit in 1.5 hour gym session or a class like Pilates that increases my productivity afterwards by double. The mind is a powerful tool, but it has to be stimulated. It is not the same as to take your phone and end up scrolling as moving your body and letting your mind restart again.

Continuous learning is a productivity multiplier. Here's an efficient strategy: target 'microlearning.' Absorb bite-sized knowledge pieces, perfect for short breaks or downtimes, without feeling overwhelmed. It keeps your skills sharp and ideas fresh. Also, focus on 'transferable skills' - like critical thinking or digital literacy. They're versatile, applying across roles and industries, and vital in a remote work setting. And remember, learning isn't always formal. Join webinars, follow thought leaders online, or engage in peer discussions. This habit not only enhances skills but fosters a growth mindset, crucial for navigating the dynamic challenges of remote work.

Working from home lets you have more spare time to learn new skills and have a more focused mind. I would suggest finding different skills that would make you more of an asset to your company, as well as you professionally.

Learn something that has nothing to do with your job. Change the wiring in your synapses to pull yourself out of a rut. Anything new is a new skill, even a new computer game.

Skill diversification: Instead of just focusing on professional or job-related skills, consider diversifying into other areas of interest. For example, a coding professional might delve into photography or culinary arts. This not only brings a change but also helps in overall cognitive development.

Working from home presents a chance to level up your skills. Use your spare time to explore new topics or tools that enhance your performance or career. Online courses, podcasts, or books are great resources. Learning not only boosts skills but also confidence and satisfaction.

To be more productive while working from home, I would have a daily 'to do' list. Whether the list is done before noon or afterwards, I would make sure the work list is completed without excuses.

In certain company cultures, some individuals may perceive rewards as a signal to slack off when working from home. They may feel isolated or miss the vibrant office environment, which can hinder their productivity. To counter this, self-rewarding and extending rewards to your team can prove highly beneficial in enhancing the effectiveness of our home offices.

Priorities must be well defined and the focus must be to be to able achieve your strategic planning also balancing time for your family, both family and work must not be affected negativily thus you need to ensure there is balance.

celebrate the small wins at home just like you would in the office. reward your hard work and your efforts with things that make you smile :)

Divide goals into small tasks, and take a small break when you have completed that task. Share some milestones with your teams, it also helps to maintain the synergy on your team an celebrate together!

Work from home can be a blessing in disguise if we follow the below steps: - Have clear priorities set at the beginning of the day. - Daily connect with team members. - Take small breaks at regular intervals. - Be focussed. - Make sure to not sit in same position for long. Take small walk during breaks. - Keep the video on during virtual meetings for a better office like environment and get to know your team better. - Foster team buildimg activities. - Prioritize your mental health. - Take the necessary time offs. - Don't look at the screen continuously. - Every hour disconnect with the external world and connect with your inner self for atleast 2 mins. It boosts your concentration and focus. - Be mindful and communicate effectively.

Remember WFH is very individualistic and can isolate you psychologically as well as hamper your career progress. Balance WFH by planning time in the office and for networking with others to refresh relationships and remain visible to management. While you might be extolling the wonders of WFH, your leaders who are Boomers and Gen Xers may not. Office cultures differ but remaining visibly plugged in and being there for your team occasionally using face-to-face as a medium is a powerful tool you should leverage beyond just getting more focused work done.

Use a time-tracking tool to see how you're spending your time. This can help you to identify areas where you can be more efficient. Set aside specific times for checking email and social media. Don't let these distractions derail your workday. Take advantage of video conferencing tools to stay connected with your team. This can help to reduce isolation and improve communication. Create a to-do list for each day and prioritize your tasks. This will help you to stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked. Take breaks throughout the day, but get up and move around. Don't just sit at your computer all day. Reward yourself for completing tasks or reaching goals. This will help you to stay motivated and productive.

I would add a few more advice to this article: 1. Manage your time effectively with a schedule for all your activities (work and no work-related) 2. Use tools such as Trello, Monday, Jira, etc. to organize tasks. 3. Set achievable goals. 4. Differentiate breaks from distractions by tracking and analyzing time spent. 5. Take care of your health with exercise, a balanced diet, and mental health practices. 6. Join online communities, attend webinars, or network through virtual events. 7. Regularly assess and adapt to changing work conditions.

Remote work can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation, and I've experienced this myself, especially since many of my friendships were nurtured in the workplace. During these moments, carving out time for casual calls with colleagues and friends has been a great way to alleviate the sense of monotony and maintain those valuable connections.