6 Productivity Boosting Strategies for Your Home Office
What do you envision when you picture yourself working at home? Maybe you are relaxing in your pajamas, taking your time in the morning and enjoying your cup of coffee. Maybe you see yourself taking long leisurely lunches with your friends and (somehow) still getting all your work done each day. It’s a great picture! But it’s not exactly the reality. Often times staying productive while working from home is harder than it was in the office! However, it’s not impossible, especially when you have this NYC Professional Office Organizer on your side. Here are my home office organizing strategies that are guaranteed to boost your productivity and help you get tasks done.
Make sure to have a dedicated workspace. Though it is tempting to sit down on the couch with your laptop and do some work while you catch up on your favorite TV show, it’s not practical for productivity. Create a space that is dedicated to working, so that when you enter that space, your mind shifts into work mode.
Define (and stick to) your schedule. One of the benefits of working from home is having some freedom with your schedule. Figure out the time of day that you are most efficient and creative, then set your schedule for important tasks around that time frame. When you are working during your personal peak, your productivity will skyrocket!
Set boundaries for distractions. If ambient noise helps you stay focused, then use it! But make sure to pick something that won’t peek your interest and draw your attention away from your tasks. Talk with your family about your work hours and set expectations. Often friends and family will think that because you work from home, you are available for phone calls, lunches, and visits. Occasionally these are wonderful breaks from work. However, they can quickly become distractions. Don’t be afraid to send a call to voicemail or to kindly tell friends that you are unavailable.
Turn off social media. Staying productive while working from home requires self-management and that includes being mindful of how much time you spend on social media. You can quickly fall down the rabbit hole and find yourself mindlessly scrolling through your favorite social media channel. Stay productive by scheduling time to check social media possibly during your lower energy periods. When that time is up, put your phone away and get back to work.
Communication is still important. Just because you are no longer in a corporate setting, it doesn’t mean that your need for communication and connection is gone. Clear communication is important for productivity, so set time aside to check in with colleagues and clients.
Don’t forget breaks and lunch. Just because you are no longer clocking hours in an office doesn’t mean that you suddenly no longer need to take breaks. Taking 15 minutes to walk away from your computer and refresh your mind will help you reset so when you get back to work you’ll stay on task. And don’t forget to eat lunch – fueling your body and your brain is important!
Staying productive in your home office is easily accomplished when you apply these strategies to your daily work life. For more home office organizing tips, reach out to your NYC Professional Office Organizer.