You’re struggling to stay productive while working from home. How can you keep your focus?

Setting a schedule is certainly important, but determining the time of day that you are normally most productive will make a substantial difference. I find that early in the day is best for me. Others may have another time that works for them. When I sit down to write, I turn off all the other potential distractions. And I mean all. My office space is not separated from the rest of the house, so I will close the door and folks know that means I don't want to be disturbed, unless it is an emergency. As I start in writing, I just try to get some words on the page to get the process going. You can always go back and tinker with them after. Get it going and it will all flow after that.

As a person who has worked from home most of the times, I know it can be a challenge to stay productive when there are a dozen other things going on at the same time. Some tips: While you are at work, believe you are in an office space, not at home. Resist the temptation to go to the kitchen or to make personal calls. At the same time, when you are taking a break, don’t think about work. Set clearly defined boundaries of time. Don’t let work spill onto your break time and vice versa. The comfort of being at home quickly turns into complacence. Remind yourself that you have to meet deadlines and you have to get tasks done. If you find this difficult, imagine yourself at an office meeting. That will do away with the laziness.

This might seem very difficult and "no way" Task but trust me it's not. Getting yourself a schedule starts with listing down all your tasks. Do the hard ones first. Take a break. Do the other ones. Writing down tasks & setting a schedule helps you to not procrastinate & keep the discipline. Hunt for such apps on the play store to help you go. Prioritise Organizing your tasks prior

A schedule doesn't necessarily mean having to plan every minute of your day, but can be the 'big picture' overview. Treat WFH as though you are in the office - start at 9am for example, finish at 5pm, take an hour for lunch. Normal to have a couple of short coffee breaks through the day. Maybe you get your admin and comms done when you first get online, then crack on with your writing etc. In an office you might have good days and you might have bad days, but you are sat at your desk trying to work either way, not on the sofa watching TV hoping for inspiration. It might seem to counter many of the benefits of WFH, but it will make you more productive and let you switch off at the end of your work day.

Set a schedule, but include breaks. Ex: 40 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Got to the 41 minute mark and don’t want to stop? Great! Keep going then break when you’re ready. Building your WFH schedule takes practice. Do what works for you, not that cool influencer who doesn’t actually get up at 4:32 every morning.

Having a workspace dedicated to your job can be really beneficial, especially if it is in a separate location to areas of relaxation. Occupying a room as an office, or even just a desk in a corner, can both help. Making sure your workspace has all of your equipment that you will need and is out the way of any distractions is key. Also, if you're able to work all day at your desk and then tidy away all your notes, books, computer, etc, and be able to leave your work in that space, means you can enjoy your time outside of work without bringing work home, as the saying goes.

Simplicity isn’t just aesthetic. It’s productivity. In a world where your couch is your office and your cat, the unofficial co-worker, carving out a workspace becomes critical. Think minimal: a clean desk, a comfortable chair, and just the tech you need. This isn't just about physical space. It's about creating a mental "Do Not Disturb" sign. A clear boundary that tells the world - and your brain - it's work time.

- Creating an environment that will help you to stay in the zone is important. - Distant your phone - Play light music - Clear the mess - Maybe try getting some plants near you to bring the cozyness - Get yourself in a room where you're less likely to get disturbed - Try Sticking your favorite quotes or idols or movie characters who'd make help you continue your work & motivate you to keep going - Get yourself something to drink to fill in the environment - Put only necessary stuff on your work desk - There you go :)

I organize my desk with only the essentials, like my computer, notebook, and pens, to minimize clutter. I also make sure to let in natural light. I set clear boundaries with myself and others, so I know when it's time to work and when it's time to take breaks. By creating a dedicated workspace and sticking to a schedule, I can maintain my focus and productivity throughout the day.

It's the depth of interaction, not the frequency, that keeps the work-from-home blues at bay. Don’t just stay connected, make it meaningful. In this digital work era, quality trumps quantity. Pick a weekly virtual coffee chat over daily texts. Share a success or a challenge in these sessions. It’s about creating moments that mimic the watercooler effect, not just ticking a communication checklist. This approach fosters genuine connections, keeping you integrated and motivated.

To stay connected, I schedule video calls with colleagues and friends to maintain social interaction. Setting boundaries between work and personal time also helps me maintain balance and prevent burnout.

Transform your work from home routine with the "Power Hour" method. Dedicate the first hour after waking up to your most challenging task - no emails, no social media, just focused work. It's like giving your productivity a caffeine shot without the coffee. Simple, but a game-changer. Try it tomorrow, and watch your to-do list shrink faster than ever.

If you're writing, The first thing you need to do is to make a rough map of it on paper. Second step is to put it down in a good state and analysing the ideas Before doing that, turn on focus mode on your phone if you need your phone & don't want to get distracted by social media too. Turn off the notification sounds & notifications themselves. Play instrument music to keep you focused and help you go with the flow. Remember to take breaks in between. Take breaks using timers & get back to work Here you go :)

Put the phone down and get out of the house or out of your home office for a bit. Change your scenery and your stimulation. Even 30 minutes makes a difference. If you feel like you have to be "on" constantly while you work from home, then turn on sound notifications but try to work offline. Handwrite your first draft or to-do list, print out the article or report or contract you need to review. Go for a walk while you're on a call. Just break up your day.

In my writing experience, I’ve found pomodoro an effective tool. It is a method where one focuses on a task for 25 minutes followed by a 5 minute break. This cycle of 25 minute productivity and 5 minute break is continued 4 times followed by a 15-30 minute interview. Many mobile apps can assist with pomodoro time keeping too. As a writer who struggles with getting distracted, pomodoro helped me focus and increased my productivity in a short span of time.

At the end of the day, I review what I accomplished and think about what could be done differently. I celebrate small wins and adjust my approach for better efficiency the next day. Regularly reassessing my work habits helps me stay on track and maintain focus.

Set rules for rewarding and punishing You can give yourself little rewards for achievements to motivate yourself and recognize your own endeavor. Besides, you should also strictly follow the rules of punishment when you miss some deadlines, incomplete important tasks as planned or spend too much time surfing on social channels. Self-discipline is not easy but that is one of the key things every one working from home must have.

- Get actually curious about the topic - Try to dig in & do your research - Don't pressure yourself or make guilt trips if ideas don't pop up in your head. - Get a rest after you're done writing - Try to make a vision board to keep you going & motivating - Use movie / series characters to help you keep the vibe alive