You’re struggling to stay focused while working from home. How can you get back on track?

1 Set a schedule

One of the benefits of working from home is having more flexibility in your hours, but that can also lead to procrastination, confusion, or miscommunication. To avoid these pitfalls, set a clear and consistent schedule for yourself and your team. Decide when you will start and end your workday, when you will take breaks, and when you will have meetings or check-ins. Share your schedule with your team and stick to it as much as possible. This will help you create a routine, manage your time, and respect your boundaries.

3 Minimize distractions

Working from home can expose you to many distractions, such as household chores, family members, pets, social media, or entertainment. These can interrupt your flow, lower your quality, and waste your time. To minimize distractions, try to eliminate or reduce them as much as possible. For example, you can turn off your phone notifications, close your browser tabs, wear headphones, or ask your family to respect your work hours. You can also use some apps or tools to block or limit your access to certain websites or apps that might tempt you. This will help you concentrate, prioritize, and finish your tasks.

4 Communicate effectively

Working from home can also affect your communication with your team, your manager, or your clients. You might feel isolated, misunderstood, or out of the loop. To communicate effectively, use the appropriate channels and tools for different purposes. For example, you can use email for formal and detailed messages, chat for quick and informal updates, video calls for meetings and presentations, and phone calls for urgent and sensitive issues. You can also use some collaboration platforms or software to share files, documents, or feedback. This will help you stay connected, informed, and aligned with your team.

5 Take breaks

Working from home can also make you forget to take breaks, especially if you are immersed in your work or have a lot of deadlines. However, taking breaks is essential for your health, well-being, and performance. Breaks can help you recharge your energy, refresh your mind, and relieve your tension. To take breaks, set some reminders or alarms to pause your work every hour or so. You can also use some techniques or methods to structure your work and break time, such as the Pomodoro technique or the 52-17 rule. During your breaks, you can do some stretches, exercises, meditation, or hobbies. This will help you prevent burnout, improve your creativity, and enhance your productivity.

6 Reward yourself

Working from home can also make you feel less appreciated, recognized, or motivated. You might not receive the same feedback, praise, or incentives that you would get in a traditional office. To reward yourself, set some goals and milestones for your work and celebrate your achievements. You can also treat yourself with some rewards, such as a snack, a movie, a book, or a gift. You can also share your accomplishments with your team, your manager, or your network and receive some positive reinforcement. This will help you boost your confidence, satisfaction, and motivation.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?