Working from home has gone from something that only freelancers and a select few employees go to enjoy to something that much of the population has experienced or is now experiencing. Working from home can have several different benefits for both employers and employees, so it’s no surprise that many employers have ditched the idea of going back to the office after the COVID19 pandemic and have been happy to make remote working a key part of how things are done. Working from home might mean that you’re able to get more done, enjoy a better work-life balance, and spend more time with your family, but there can also be a downside. If you’re feeling demotivated recently as you work from home, here are some ways to become more productive.
Get a Set Routine:
If you’re lucky enough to work from home in a job where you can choose your own hours, this freedom can sometimes be a double-edged sword. A lack of routine can leave you feeling demotivated and unproductive, so it’s a good idea to put a set routine in place that works for you and treat working from home differently from everything else that you do at home. Get up and get ready just as you would before going out to work in the office.
Get an Office Space:
Having an office space at home can make all the difference to how you feel and how you perform when you are working remotely. An office space keeps your work separate from everywhere else in your home and provides more of a ‘going to work’ feeling compared to simply working on your sofa or in the kitchen, which can have a positive impact on the amount and quality of the work that you’re able to get done.
Get Enough Sleep:
Working from home might mess up your routine, which in turn can lead to problems with getting enough sleep at night. When you don’t have to be up very early to commute to the office, this can sometimes lead to sleeping in increasingly late. In addition, working in your bedroom can cause your brain to start associating your bedroom with work rather than sleeping, so move the desk to another area of your home wherever possible. In addition to changing your routine and work location, it’s a good idea to upgrade certain aspects of your bedroom to make it more comfortable for sleeping, such as getting a new, high-quality mattress. Find more information on the best mattresses here.
Socialize With Colleagues:
Working from home can sometimes be an isolating experience, especially if you are used to being in a large office environment with lots of people to talk to throughout the working day. Wherever possible, it’s a good idea to socialize with your colleagues and keep your work social life as active as possible. You can do this with informal group chats or video calls – even meeting up virtually to have lunch together can be a good idea that will help you feel less alone if that’s the biggest remote working problem you are facing right now.
Switch Off at the End of the Workday:
When your workplace and your home have become one and the same, it can be all too easy to continue working long after when you should have logged off. Perhaps you feel that you can just get more done and have an easier day tomorrow, and while this might be OK once in a while, it shouldn’t become a habit. Make a strict rule of logging off at the end of the workday and spending some time doing things you enjoy, to make sure that your work-life balance isn’t negatively affected.
Working from home has a lot of benefits, but remote workers can often struggle to stay motivated and productive. Keep these tips in mind to get better results when working from home.
