5 Tips to Improve Productivity at Home Office

Home Office
September 29, 2018
71 / 100

Like everything else, working from home is both a boon and a bane.

The comfort of home, no rush hour traffic, no annoying colleagues, just your work and the flexibility to do it at your own pace.

But, working from home means the comfort of your home, a place where you relax after a tough day, a place where you seek solace from all troubles, your safe corner.

Also, the flexibility to work at your own pace. So you can postpone the task at hand and watch one more episode of the latest Netflix series or you can clean that kitchen cupboard pending for so long.

As much work as there is to do, there is equally as many distractions vying for our attention.

When I started on my own one of the biggest challenges I faced was how to be productive at my home office.

I could never start my day early and at the end of the week, I always felt I was behind schedule. Although on many days, that was not true. I would have completed a lot of tasks, but I never felt productive.

After a lot of experimentation and trial, I figured a combination of tools and practices that helped me achieve the balance I was looking for.

Once I was able to find this combination, it was only a matter of habit before I could adapt it to my routine and be happy about my productivity.

Here I am sharing a list. I hope you find it useful.

5 Tips to Improve Productivity at Home Office 1Dedicated Work Area

A rookie mistake when working from home is to not have a dedicated space for work. If you think you can achieve great things without having a proper place to sit, you are mistaken.

A dedicated work area offers privacy which helps in reducing distractions and improving focus. We don’t need research to prove that when we are in a flow we like to keep distractions at bay.

Another important factor to remember is to ensure that the workstation is ergonomically friendly. Otherwise, we are at a risk of computer posture mistakes which have a detrimental effect on our body and health in long run.

Practice Deep Work

In a world full of distractions, we are rarely invested in the task we are supposed to. As a result, we take more time to complete it and often aren’t fully satisfied with it.

To create that state where we need to give our absolute best, we need to practice deep work. 

According to the principle of deep work, to produce at your peak level you need to work for extended periods with full concentration on a single task free from distraction.

One important point to note is that the whole of your work day can not be about deep work. The practice of deep work should be for skills or tasks which are most important to your business.

In your work schedule set aside 2-3 hours for deep work and during these hours ensure your focus is on the task at hand and nothing else. Pause your inbox, mute the notifications, don’t answer calls.

With time you will notice a positive impact on your productivity.

5 Tips to Improve Productivity at Home Office 2Use Productivity Apps

In the real world, a fast-growing tree grows in 10-15 years, however, in Forest, it will depend on how well you focus on your work and don’t waste time on unnecessary apps.

The way it works is like this – you plant a seed in Forest.

The seed gradually grows into a tree only if you don’t leave the app to check text messages or other notifications on your phone. If you do, the tree withers away.

Therefore, you become obligated to stay in your zone and not harm the nature (at least virtually!).

To make it more exciting you can share your forest updates with your friends and inspire them to increase their green cover too!

5 Tips to Improve Productivity at Home Office 3Organize your Work Day

This one is the most obvious one, isn’t it? Organize your work schedule, follow it religiously and track progress.

The biggest challenge for me while following this step was how do I monitor if I am getting any good done? If my work schedule is productive enough?

When I got into the app world to address this challenge, it got more complex, there were calendar apps, to-do apps etc. That is when I turned to a simpler solution – Google sheets.

I use it to create my to-do lists, track the progress of various projects and manage my work schedule.

At the end of the day or week, I can check my progress and adjust my schedule accordingly.

Keep It Simple

This one is another sitter? Isn’t it? Actually, No!

There was a time when productivity was becoming elusive for me every day. The more I tried to become efficient, more I lost grip on tasks and activities. That is when I realized, the problem was of plenty. I was reading too many blogs, following too many podcasts, practicing too many techniques.

As a result, instead of being super productive, I lost my time shuttling between apps and tracking results of methodologies I was following, rather than the actual work.

That is when I trimmed the fat and started focusing on selective content. And that worked wonders for me.

Sure it took some time, but once I was able to find that right set of the mix there was no looking back. So, try to focus your energies on a few simple things and that should set the ball rolling.

Summary

We face a problem of information overload. We have hundreds of apps, methodologies, and tools to become productive and yet none of this is able to help us. Especially, in the context of the home office, where a lot is riding on self-discipline.

If there is no self-discipline, there is a little chance that any effort will yield desirable results.

So, as long as we have a lot of self-discipline and a little help from tools and practices above, productivity won’t be the ever elusive target that we keep chasing.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash

5 Tips to Improve Productivity at Home Office 4

Author Bio

Charu is a newbie in the world of entrepreneurship. After a successful stint of ten years in Software Marketing, she decided to establish her identity beyond big corporations and designations. She blogs at ErgonomicSpot.

Categories

More Posts:

How to Get Your Law Career Started After Passing the Bar

Congratulations on passing the bar exam! Becoming an attorney is a significant milestone in your professional career so you should be proud of your hard work and dedication. Now that you’ve passed, it’s time to start building your law career. As with any job, certain...

Warning Signs You Need to Leave Your Job

As we progress through our careers, it can be difficult to determine when the right time is to move on from your job. Not only do our jobs often provide us with a livelihood, but making such a decision also involves much contemplation. To assist you in deciding if now...

Basic Steps That Can Prevent Security Breaches

With technology now playing such an intrinsic role in our lives, we must prioritize cybersecurity to keep ourselves safe from potential risks. Prevention is one of the key factors when it comes to security - and taking some simple steps can reduce your risk...

Challenges That Come When Your Employees Are Spread Out

When employees are spread out across different locations, it can be a challenge to manage the business effectively. Working remotely has its benefits, but also creates some challenges traditional offices didn't really face. From creating and maintaining a cohesive...

How to Give Your Career New Life

Are you finding yourself stagnant in your current job situation? Do you feel an urge to progress, but unsure of how to make it happen? If so, then look no further; this article will provide the strategies and actionable measures needed for a successful career...

The Power of Women-Owned Small Businesses

     Women-owned small businesses are on the rise, and their impact is undeniable. In fact, in 2019 alone, women-owned nearly 12 million businesses that employed nearly 9 million people and generated over $1.9 trillion in revenue. From retail to technology to finance,...

Tricks for Boosting Productivity at Your Business

Running a successful business requires efficiency and productivity from employees and management. This can be a challenge for many businesses due distractions in the workplace and high workloads that are placed on employees. Fortunately, there are several tricks you...

How to Decide Which Business Data to Archive

When it comes to business data, it's not a question of if you should archive it, but rather how you should archive it. With so many factors to consider — from the costs of storage to the ease of retrieval — it can be tough to know where to start. In this blog post,...

Careers That Let You Make a Social Impact

Are you often frustrated by the state of society and angered by social injustices? If you wish you could have a bigger influence on society, consider switching to a career with more social outreach and influence. Here are a few careers that help you to make a lasting...

Which technology should businesses invest in?

Introduction The top three IT firms this month are Fair Issac Corp., Enphase Energy Inc., and Arrow Electronics Inc. With outstanding third-quarter sales records in a struggling electronics industry, semiconductor distributor Arrow Electronics has become a top bargain...
Warning Signs You Need to Leave Your Job

Warning Signs You Need to Leave Your Job

As we progress through our careers, it can be difficult to determine when the right time is to move on from your job. Not only do our jobs often provide us with a livelihood, but making such a decision also involves much contemplation. To assist you in deciding if now...

How to Give Your Career New Life

How to Give Your Career New Life

Are you finding yourself stagnant in your current job situation? Do you feel an urge to progress, but unsure of how to make it happen? If so, then look no further; this article will provide the strategies and actionable measures needed for a successful career...

Careers That Let You Make a Social Impact

Careers That Let You Make a Social Impact

Are you often frustrated by the state of society and angered by social injustices? If you wish you could have a bigger influence on society, consider switching to a career with more social outreach and influence. Here are a few careers that help you to make a lasting...

All Categories

Business Operations

Entrepreneur Interviews

Marketing, Networking, & Social Media

Self Care & Personal Development

Working Moms

Business Software and Technology

Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Organizing Tips

Sales

Career Building

Family Businesses

Inspiration

Starting Your Own Business

Work-Life Balance

Communication

Hiring Help

Management & Leadership

Time Management & Priorities

Women in Leadership

Recent Posts

Why Your Business Should Offer HSA-Compatible Health Plans

Why Your Business Should Offer HSA-Compatible Health Plans

As a business owner, you have a lot of responsibilities when it comes to taking care of your employees. If you offer good benefits, such as healthcare, you’ll be more likely to hire and maintain the best employees.  Here are a few reasons why your business should...

When it’s Time to Hire an HR Professional for Your Company

When it’s Time to Hire an HR Professional for Your Company

As your business continues to expand, it might be a wise decision to employ an HR specialist who can help you manage and optimize your workforce. An HR expert brings with them essential services that will streamline the operations of your company while keeping your...

Why Your Office Needs High-Quality Chairs

Why Your Office Needs High-Quality Chairs

For any business or organization, the right office furniture is vital. Quality chairs are essential and can help bolster productivity, decrease employee health issues, and remain operable longer than budget substitutes. Investing in quality office chairs provides...

How to Quickly Capture Attention on Social Media

How to Quickly Capture Attention on Social Media

Social media is invaluable for marketers and business owners, especially those working with small businesses. It’s a great way to get the company in front of more people, allowing you to attract more customers. Of course, it’s not enough to just get seen on social...

Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Embarking on a gardening business is a bewildering journey that promises both intrinsic satisfaction and monetary success. The paramount initial step is to scrutinize the varied gamut of services you would want to render, followed by an intricate search for tools and supplies to substantiate the execution of those services. Crafting a business and financial plan is an absolute must, especially given the burgeoning competition from fellow green-thumbed entrepreneurs amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing an online presence through a website and social media and designing business cards and flyers are integral to drumming up business. Lastly, building a loyal clientele and network is paramount for sustained success in the horticultural realm.

How to Protect Your Personal Finances From Black Swan Events

How to Protect Your Personal Finances From Black Swan Events

Life throws us an occasional curveball; it’s just a part of life. But what if your finances take a hit due to something outside of your control?  Black swan events are rare, but they occur and can cause massive financial losses. The key is to be prepared for the worst...