Being productive when you’re working from home can be a challenge, especially when you’re stuck in the same building as the rest of your family. No matter how hard you try, there will be some days when no number of to-do lists and project management tools can help you. Giving yourself the best chance of knocking a few things off that to-do list is as simple as implementing these few steps.

Set Up Your Office

Everyone needs a comfortable place to get their work done, even if it’s only temporary because sitting hunched over a tiny screen on the floor of your living room won’t do you any favors. If you’re reluctant to head to the shops, rest assured – it won’t cost a week’s salary to get your hands on a desk, chair, and lamp. Just start by scoping out a room with natural light and enough space to stretch out your arms and legs, and you’ll already be halfway there.

Then, it’s all about choosing the necessary elements that will complement that space perfectly. Start by looking at a desk that meets your storage needs, and a chair that doesn’t leave you with crippling back pain. For bonus points, opt for a standing desk to limit sitting and reduce your likelihood of developing bad posture or repetitive strain injury.

Upgrade Your Technology and Equipment

Nothing kills the productivity spike quite like a slow internet connection, so do a thorough check of all your at-home technological equipment before settling into your new “office”. If you’re still squeezing the final weeks out of a ten-year-old laptop or your Wi-Fi router is working at a glacial rate, take the opportunity to splurge on a few good-quality pieces of necessary tech. Many employers will provide a loan laptop as a minimum, but even if your boss won’t chip in, you can claim the depreciation of most essential work equipment on your tax return.

Enforce a Schedule

For children and adults alike, the structure is crucial for mental health. As much as you might like the idea of being able to wake up later and sneak a few fun activities into your day, enforcing a standard schedule is the best way to make sure those work hours are actually used on solid work. This is not such an issue if you’re already expected to track your time and report on productivity throughout the day, but no one is immune to the lure of distractions like social media or a fridge filled with food.

Thanks to modern technology and the many different applications now available, there are so many different ways to track your time and encourage accountability – not only to your boss but also to yourself.

Communicate with Your Colleagues

In case the idea of organizing a daily schedule doesn’t quite do it for you, calling on your colleagues for support isn’t a bad idea. Whenever you need to be accountable for something in order to achieve results, tell one (or several) of your colleagues about it and ask that they help to keep you on track with a daily (or weekly) check-in. This strategy will also give you the added benefit of direct communication with your workmates, making it a win for your social life as well as your to-do list monitoring work from home employees.

Dress Up for Work

When you’re working from your own home, it can be tempting to get a little bit too comfortable in your pajamas, but this doesn’t do much for your productivity. As much as you might like to stay cozy in bed while you work, the simple act of changing your clothes can help you feel ready to roll up your sleeves and work hard. By going one step further and putting effort into your work-from-home ensemble, you’ll be boosting your own morale, and you might even inject some new life into those regular Zoom calls with your team.

Working from home can be great for your mental health and your calendar, especially if your regular commute seems to drag on forever, but it does require some adjustment of your usual routine. Be kind to yourself as you’re acclimatizing to the differences between your two “offices”, and don’t forget to keep your employer in the loop – they will see serious value in your honest, transparent communication.

Addison

Addison is a student of the Aust Abbottabad University of Science and Technology. He started his graduation in 2016 and graduated in 2020. I’m a professional article and blog writer, has written dozens of content on different topics and worked with professionals all over the globe. Feel free to contact me for any assistance. [email protected]