My Top 5 Tips for Working from Home.
The world is currently consumed with endless information about the coronavirus, and it is a time of uncertainty for many of us. With so much changing, it is difficult to know when things will return to normal. Like many other students and professionals, I have had to adapt to working from home, and I am quickly discovering that it is not always as easy as it sounds!
I am currently completing my Master’s degree, and before this, I had never really worked from home. It is safe to say that the struggle is real! Like many students, I find a strange sense of comfort in doing my assignments in the library. It is something I definitely took for granted, along with being able to attend college in person and meet my classmates to discuss group projects.
Although it has only been four days of self-isolation, as an extrovert, I already feel like I am going slightly crazy without much human contact outside of my family.
Over the next few days, I have decided to explore some topics that might help me, and hopefully others, navigate this unusual time. It also gives my mind something to focus on that is not college work!
Today, I am sharing my top five tips for working from home, including how to stay focused, create a productive routine, and stop procrastinating when studying or working remotely.
1. Create a Dedicated Workspace at Home
Creating a dedicated workspace is more important than I initially realised. On my very first day working from home, I sat in bed with my laptop all day, and trust me, it was the worst idea ever!
Not only was I distracted by practically everything in my room, but being in bed also made me far too relaxed. I even fell asleep twice! By the time bedtime arrived, I was wide awake and restless.
My advice? Find a space that you can use specifically for working or studying. It does not have to be a fancy home office. Even your kitchen table can work perfectly well.
Having a dedicated workspace helps you separate your work life from your personal life, minimise distractions, and improve your concentration. Try to keep your sleeping space separate from your workspace so that your brain can associate your bed with rest rather than work.
2. Establish a Work from Home Routine
One of the best ways to stay productive when working from home is to establish a routine.
Set yourself a clear start time and finish time, and try to stick to your usual college or office hours. For example, you might decide to work from 9 am to 6 pm, after which you can switch off and leave any unfinished tasks for the next day.
Of course, one of the benefits of working from home is flexibility. If you know you concentrate better in the morning or get your best ideas in the afternoon, try to organise your working hours around your most productive times.
Having a consistent routine can help you stay focused, motivated, and organised throughout the day. It also gives you a clearer boundary between work and personal time, which is especially important when your home becomes your office or study space.
3. Take Regular Breaks Throughout the Day
I cannot stress this enough!
During my first two days working from home, I struggled to distinguish between working time and break time. I found myself sitting at my laptop for hours, and by the end of it, my brain felt like mush.
Taking regular breaks is essential for maintaining concentration and avoiding burnout. Step away from your laptop, make yourself a coffee, eat lunch away from your desk, or take a short walk when possible.
Working from home does not mean you have to stay glued to your screen all day!
Short breaks give your mind a chance to recharge and can help you return to your work feeling refreshed. One technique I have found useful is the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in focused intervals followed by short breaks.
You can use a timer or a Pomodoro app to structure your working day, making it easier to manage your time and avoid spending hours on a task without a break.
4. Turn Off Your Phone and Limit Distractions
This one is self explanatory!
It only takes one notification to distract you, and before you know it, you have spent an hour scrolling through social media instead of finishing your work.
When you are trying to concentrate, put your phone on silent, switch on Do Not Disturb, or leave it in another room if you find it particularly distracting.
You can also use your phone as a reward during your scheduled breaks or at the end of the working day.
Reducing distractions is one of the simplest ways to avoid procrastination when working from home. By creating an environment that encourages concentration, you can get more done in less time and feel less stressed about your workload.
5. Set Smaller, More Realistic Goals
Finally, one of the most effective ways to overcome procrastination is to set smaller, more realistic goals.
You are not going to write an entire thesis in one day, so why put that kind of pressure on yourself?
Instead, aim to write 200 words today. Tomorrow, you can write another 200. Continue working towards your goal over the following days and weeks, and eventually, you will have made significant progress.
Breaking large projects into smaller, manageable tasks makes them feel less overwhelming. It also gives you a sense of achievement as you complete each task, helping you stay motivated.
At the beginning of each day, write down two or three achievable goals that you want to accomplish. Focus on making steady progress rather than trying to do everything at once.
Remember, being productive does not mean working every minute of the day. It means using your time effectively and setting expectations that are realistic for you.
Thank you for taking the time to read thought my blog post, and I really do hope some of these tips can help someone else out. Working from home is a lot more difficult than people realise, and procrastination is so easy to do! Hopefully once all of this chaos from the Coronavirus passes we can all get back into our normal routines soon!
How to Stay Productive While Working from Home
Working from home is a lot more difficult than many people realise, especially if you are used to studying in a library, working in an office, or spending your day surrounded by other people.
It is easy to become distracted, lose track of time, or fall into the habit of procrastinating. However, creating a dedicated workspace, establishing a routine, taking regular breaks, limiting distractions, and setting realistic goals can make a real difference.
I hope these five tips for working from home help you feel a little more organised, focused, and motivated, whether you are a student completing assignments or a professional adjusting to remote work.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Adjusting to a new routine takes time, and you do not have to get everything right straight away.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. I really hope some of these tips help you, too. Stay safe, look after yourself, and remember to take a break every now and again!
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