Boost Productivity in Your Home Office
Working from home sounded like a fabulous idea, didn’t it? Relaxing in your pj’s, not rushing through that morning cup of coffee, enjoying lunch with friends, all while getting your work done. The reality is that’s not always the case, and often times staying productive while working from your home office is much harder than you anticipated. Try these home office organizing tips from this NYC Professional Office Organizer to boost your productivity while working from home.
Define your spaces. 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.
Create a schedule that works for you. When you work for yourself or with a small company, one of the benefits of working from home can be the freedom in your schedule. Figure out the time of day that you are most efficient and creative, then set your schedule around that time frame. When you are working during your personal prime time, your productivity will skyrocket!
Set boundaries for distractions. If ambient noise helps you stay focused, then great! But make sure to pick something that won’t peak 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. 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. Breaks are needed so you can recharge during the day. 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 and strategies, reach out to your NYC Professional Office Organizer.