One of the most amazing components of the internet is the accessibility. Because of the internet and technology, a person can easily complete a full day’s work from the comfort of their own home. In most cases, a reliable laptop and WiFi connection are the only things needed to make things happen. However, most people don’t talk about the other component of working from home that involves willpower. When you’re at home, it’s easy to create your own schedule. At the same time, it can be very easy to fall off that schedule, get sidetracked and not complete work. If you’ve found yourself in a rut where you struggle to complete the tasks of the day and need some inspiration to get going again, consider these seven tips.
- Focus on IPAs.
Income-producing activities are paramount for the person who works from home. It’s easy to get stuck on the details of projects that have nothing to do with work. Plus, if things are messy at home, you might be tempted to sit down and work on the laundry for an hour and then cook dinner. Before you know it, the day is over. Instead of falling into this trap, sit down each morning and decide what your IPAs are for the day. Once you figure those out, sit down and relentlessly knock them out. When you do this, you’ll always be able to cross off a major bullet point on your to-do list.
- Create a workspace.
If you think that working in your bed is going to fare well, you’ve got another thing coming. While working from bed may be nice on the days when you’re not feeling well, it’s best to create a nice workstation. It helps you to focus and zone into your work without distractions. A desk and a comfortable chair are important. Keep a few office supplies within an arm’s reach such as pens, paper and sticky notes. Add a few visual incentives to make your space lovely. A favorite quote or a picture of your dream vacation spot are nice ideas.
- Take breaks.
If you think you’ll be able to be in your home and sit at a desk for eight straight hours without getting distracted, you’re setting yourself up for failure. There are people who can do it, but in most cases, they had to build up to that level of focus. For starters, consider the Pomodoro technique for a balanced approach to work vs. breaks. During your breaks, switch the laundry or watch a few minutes of a favorite tv show. If you’re a social media lover, use the break to hop on. Just make sure to time yourself so that you have a reminder to get back to work when the break is over.
- Get dressed.
While sitting in your pajamas works nicely for the first few days of working from home, it can quickly become a gateway to relaxation in the bed. Relaxation is nice, but not when you’re supposed to be working. Even if it’s just a comfortable pair of jeans and a button-up t-shirt, get dressed. When you look the part, you’ll feel like doing more. Don’t forget to shower, brush your teeth and floss. Choose between an air or water flosser. Personal hygiene isn’t just for when you leave the house.
- Develop consistent work hours.
Decide which hours of the day will be solely dedicated to focusing on work. Too often, people either underestimate the amount of time it’ll take to complete a project. Look at it this way. It’s better to overestimate the amount of time and not need it. That way, you’ll have free time to enjoy other things. Learn how to manage and master your time with consistent work hours and you’ll get a lot more done.
- Drink.
Between hydration and exercise, most people who work from home don’t seem to get enough of either. While exercise is excellent and helps you maintain a healthy body, you don’t have to leave your desk to keep up hydration. Always keep a few water bottles within arm’s reach. If you like an extra boost at certain times of the day, keep a coffee maker or an electric kettle close by so that you can enjoy a latte or some tea.
- Implement a rewards system.
If you know that there’s a reward at the end of a task, you’re more likely to get the task done. Work on incentivizing your day. If you’re able to knock out a certain amount of work at a certain time, treat yourself to a pedicure. Find things that you like to do and treat yourself when you hit different work goals. A rewards system will help you support a level of alertness and discipline.
These seven tips are the foundation. As you continue to build upon these suggestions, understand that you’ll probably need to customize some of these strategies to fit your lifestyle. If you have tighter time constraints, you may not be able to take breaks. Take the details into consideration and create a work routine that allows you to knock out your goals, be successful and have a life outside of your work hours.
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