If you’re like millions of people around the world, you’re now doing the vast majority of your work tasks from home or a remote workspace. While this comes with various perks, it also has a few drawbacks. The biggest drawback is the potential to get distracted by chores, entertainment, family, pets, social media, and a million other things that wouldn’t be as prevalent in a traditional office. So, in today’s post, we’re going to look at 5 ways to stay focused while working from home!
Table of Contents
Turn Off Unnecessary Notifications
If you work from a computer or similar device, you probably get notifications for work-related messages, deadlines, and activities. Even though they are necessary for your work, they can be a little distracting, especially if they prevent you from finishing whatever you’re working on. However, you may also find that personal notifications start taking your attention away from work entirely. This is why it is important to silence non-essential work alerts and personal notifications during work hours.
Address Potential Distractions Early
Sometimes, distractions can have almost nothing to do with your environment. For example, you may find that your head is in a fog because you didn’t get a good night’s rest. Alternatively, you may be experiencing pain because of a bunion or other foot condition. Either way, it’s important to address these kinds of distractions at the source. Continuing with the examples above, you can start to practice healthy sleep habits or get your bunion looked at by the experts at Northwest Surgery Center!
Make a To-Do List (& Stick To It)
A to-do list is essential for remote workers. Not only does it help you organize and prioritize your work tasks, but it also gives you a guide for how to spend your time. This way, you’re far less likely to reach a point where you don’t know what to do next. Moreover, you’ll feel a real sense of progress and productivity every time you check something off your list!
Set Boundaries With Others
When working in a home or remote environment, you can’t always stay in complete solitude. Perhaps you have children coming home from school, roommates chatting nearby, or a partner who is constantly vying for your attention. However, it’s important to set very clear boundaries when working from home. Make sure that others respect your space and your need to have a little peace and quiet!
Keep an Organized Workspace
Finally, it’s nearly impossible to focus on anything when you’ve got a cluttered workspace. Papers are stacked to the ceiling, files occupy every inch of your computer screen, and emails and messages are coming in from a hundred different directions. It can be overwhelming if you don’t have a process to keep things organized. Fortunately, you don’t have to tackle everything at once. Simply take one aspect of your workspace and dedicate a few minutes to tidying it up. Tomorrow, move on to something else!
Are you looking for even more tips to stay productive at work? If so, be sure to check out some of our other posts on Entrepreneurship Life today!