10 Methods to Increase Productivity for Home Office Workers
Home Office Work is becoming increasingly popular with each passing day. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, employees were forced to switch to remote work. However, even after the pandemic, people have come to prefer remote work more.
Although home office work offers a comfortable working environment, it also brings along some challenges. Are you or your employees wondering how to work more easily in a home office? Or are you looking for ways to increase productivity while working from home? Your solution is in this article.
10 Methods to Increase Productivity for Home Office Workers
Allow these tips to inspire you to make working from home more enjoyable. With the trend of remote work continuing, staying productive and managing your well-being effectively has become more important than ever. To help you achieve this, we’ve prepared 10 essential tips to help you feel good and excel in your work while working from home.
Create an effective workspace
While working from your bed or your favorite armchair may be comforting, choosing a dedicated space for work will increase your productivity. If possible, select a separate room with good natural light that can become your own home office. Utilizing different areas in your home like this can help create a physical separation between work and relaxation, making the boundaries between home life and work life much clearer. If this option isn’t available to you, choose a spot in your home that is furthest from household noise and distracting situations.
Arrange your desk properly
For employees who spend several hours at their desks every day, finding ergonomic solutions for desk and chair arrangement should be almost mandatory. Making small improvements to your environment can provide numerous benefits, from reducing the likelihood of back pain and tension-type headaches to increasing energy levels and boosting confidence.
Try to limit distracting things at home
While working from home has many benefits, it can also bring a range of new distractions to contend with. Starting household chores during work hours or turning on the television while at home may be tempting. Following a few steps can help you overcome these potential distractions. For example, try to allocate specific time slots for completing household chores and ensure that your workspace is clean and tidy before your workday begins. Instead of turning on the television, try listening to music. Research from Harvard Medical School explains how listening to certain types of music at different times can improve your mood, reduce stress levels, and enhance cognitive performance. You’ll not only overcome distraction but also discover a solution that boosts productivity!
Don’t be consumed by social media.
As more time is spent on technological devices, one of the most popular sources of distraction comes from increased use of social media, which can become addictive without the constraints typically found in an office environment. If you find yourself spending too much time on social media, it’s recommended to log out of your accounts or turn off notifications during working hours on mobile devices. Additionally, if you access your social media connections through a desktop browser, consider removing them from there as well.
Set Healthy Boundaries with Your Home
It’s easy for family members, friends, and housemates to forget that you’re working while at home. To maintain healthy relationships, have a conversation with your household members beforehand, making them aware of your working hours and encouraging them to support the type of environment that fosters your productivity.
Start Your Day by Getting Ready for Work
While there may not be any pressure to get ready when working from home (unless you have a scheduled video call), changing out of your pajamas and maintaining normal levels of grooming and hygiene is a good idea. Just as setting aside a space for work helps establish boundaries, getting ready in the mornings signals that your workday is about to begin and helps you adopt a professional mindset.
Create a Suitable Schedule for Yourself
Having a schedule helps employees manage their workloads, complete assigned tasks on time, and understand when they can take on more work. There are many templates available to help you plan your day, and we recommend using one to assist in organizing your day.
Develop a Short Routine to End the Workday
Without the commute home to mark the end of a workday, it can become more challenging to wind down, maintain productivity, and regain the remaining energy needed to sustain high levels of well-being. To combat this threat, we recommend implementing a short routine at the end of your workday in place of the usual endpoint provided by the journey home. As the end of the day approaches, review and update your to-do list, check your schedule for tomorrow, and try to end on a positive note. This way, you’ll feel more relaxed and ready for the next day. Say goodbye to your colleagues before shutting down your computer, so they know you’ve left, and ensure all equipment is gathered as you tidy up your workspace. This final suggestion is especially important if you don’t have a dedicated room for work, as it helps your home return to a living space once again.
How often and how long should I take breaks?
Without natural breaks such as snack times, conversations, and face-to-face meetings that naturally divide the workday, employees may need to learn when to schedule breaks to stay productive and feel good. A time management technique that enhances focus and productivity is the Pomodoro Technique. This method advocates breaking your day into intervals of 25 minutes, followed by short breaks known collectively as Pomodoros for five minutes. After completing four Pomodoros, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes, and repeat this process throughout the day. By devoting all your focus to a task for a manageable period, it allows you to concentrate on completing it and then reward yourself with a rejuvenating break afterward. You can use this technique to stay productive.
How can I use my breaks to increase productivity and well-being?
One of the most beneficial actions you can take when a break starts is to step away from your desk. While staying in the same workspace all day can be dull, taking breaks to step away allows you to come back with a fresh perspective. Preparing a healthy lunch or beverage, reading your favorite book, or chatting with a friend are great options for making the most of your time. However, as more time is spent at desks, engaging in physical activity quickly becomes an essential part of the workday. Activities like stretching can reduce aches, while joining a virtual fitness class or going for a run or brisk walk outdoors can reduce stress and feelings of loneliness while boosting energy levels.
