Having an online home business is a dream of many: being able to work out of the comfort of your own home, not having to deal with frustrating traffic, moody weather and naggy bosses. However working out of your own nest can take a toll on your productivity if not done right. Below are 5 tips to keep your energy and productivity high when working from home.
Know your working rhythm and habits
Everyone has their own working rhythm and habits. Some people are more effective in the morning while others can only get things done at night. Unlike conventional jobs with the rigid 9-to-5 schedule, having an online home business gives you the privilege of choosing your own working hours. So be mindful of how you feel and how effectively you work throughout the day to recognize when your productivity peaks are.
Have designated space for working at home
Working from home is ideal for many: it’s cost-effective, convenient and comfortable. However there’s such a thing as “too comfortable”. You might feel tempted to work on the bed under the blanket or lying on the couch with your laptop, but your productivity can suffer significantly from this. Try to have a designated home office to separate your working space from personal space. Your home office can only be a small corner with a desk so that you can work quietly with your laptop. This does not only improve your productivity but also helps prevent work stress entering your personal life during “out-of-office” hours.
Dress like you are going to work
Even though being able to work in your pajamas is one of the many benefits of having an online home business, dressing like you just climb out of bed can actually make you feel sluggish and hurt your productivity. Our brain can easily be fooled by simple things, clothes included. So to ensure that your brain is fresh and on working mode, kick start your day like you are going to work and dress to at least pass casual Friday.
Plan the day ahead
One sure way to have a productive work day at home is to plan ahead. Do not overwhelm yourself by trying to put too many tasks on your to-do list. Set a few crucial tasks as priorities that have to be completed during the day and plan your day accordingly. Remember to reward yourself with a short break, accompanied by a healthy snack after you have completed an important task on your list. This helps your body and mind to refresh and prepare to tackle the next task.
Minimize distractions
Being your own boss and working from home also means that you have to deal with more distractions than in an office environment: easy access to a soft comfy bed and a stocked fridge, possible pets and children playing around the house or unexpected visitors and deliveries. Set clear boundaries for your co-habitants and guests so that no one could disturb you during your working hours. To avoid giving in to distractions, you can apply the Pomodoro technique by working in bursts of 25 minutes, followed by a short 5-minute break. This technique helps you zone out of distractions easier and concentration better on your priorities.
With these 5 tips in mind, now you can enjoy the comfort of working from home and the peace of mind of getting things done. At the end of the day, the key to productively working from home is knowing yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, when your power peaks and when your energy dips.