How to Remain Super Productive While Working from Home

A large percentage of the workforce is being sent home instead of to the office. Are you are one of those who can work remotely from the comfort of your home? Though sometimes wonderful, it is not always the relaxing break you anticipate it to be. There can certainly be challenges when it comes to working from home, especially if it is not something you are used to or comes as a surprise. Here are some tips on how to work from home successfully.

Maintain a Normal Routine

If you choose to sleep in an extra 15 minutes, no one is going to judge you. But after that, you should get up, make your cup of coffee and resume business as usual. Don’t fall into the habit of starting your day later, because it could throw off your whole rhythm and make you less accountable for your normal productivity. Keep your calendar or project schedule up to date to keep you moving forward.

Have a Designated Work Space

Just because you are not in your company office does not mean that slouching on the sofa all day with your laptop on your lap is the next best option. Sitting at a desk or a table may help you maintain a professional attitude, even when working from home. Sometimes it is difficult to stay in the same spot all day. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan if you get uncomfortable. This could be as simple as spending some time at the desk in your bedroom, then moving to the kitchen table for a while.

Set Ground Rules for Those in Your Home

It is hard to share a workspace with those who are not working. Whether you have kids at home with you, a noisy spouse, or a restless roommate, it can be easy to become distracted. Make sure they know when you are available and when you are not. If you have your own room where you can be secluded, make sure they know when they can enter and when not. Also, be sure to address the fact that you may have virtual meetings when working from home.

Schedule a Break for Yourself

Trying to work all day with no break is probably going to become counter-productive within a few hours. Schedule mandatory breaks into your day. Get up. Move around. Watch one episode on Netflix (Seriously, just one!) Despite your best intentions, working straight through is unlikely to increase your productivity.

Overcommunicate

When you are not seeing your colleagues face to face at the office, it can be difficult to receive all the details you need in order to know what is going on and optimize your efforts. Overcommunicating your tasks, workflow and expectations can help keep everyone on the same page. Using a digital project management platform like Asana or Slack may help when working from home.

Find a Window

A little sunlight can go a long way. Daily exposure to natural lighting is linked to positive mood, energy, better sleep, and overall wellbeing. Studies have proven over and over, that natural light helps the body stick closer to its circadian rhythm and that workplaces have much higher staff morale when employees have exposure to natural light, such as windows.

Stay Positive

There are a lot of things you could be stressing about, especially if you are someone who enjoys the company of your coworkers and communal workspace. Take a deep breath and try to focus on the positive. We know that can be tough right now. You may also want to consider Receptra Relax CBD tincture + lavender to help keep your stress level under control, naturally.

Leave the House

Unless you are quarantined, going for a quick jog in the middle of the day, running an errand to the store or even just going outside to get the mail can be helpful. Leaving your house may help you to clear your mind and have a fresh start once you are back at your chosen home workspace.

Working from Home Successfully is a Mindset

Some people love working from home, especially if you lean toward being an introvert. For those accustomed to a busy social schedule and interactive workflow, working from home can be stressful. It is important to remember that there are a lot of worse places you could be. There are a lot of worse situations you could be in. Let’s all take a moment to be grateful for the things we have and where we are, even in rough times. On a really positive note, you can pretty much wear your pajamas most of the day!