Can't concentrate when working from home? Help! Unusual #WFH advice from a #digitalnomad to stay productive

Just a guess, but your life doesn't look like the cute infographics on working from home, am I right? A couple of days have been flat out chaos. Some days, you're in a fog. And on more occasions than you'd like to admit, your productivity plummets yet you desperately need to concentrate... but can't be arsed.

Me, I've been working from home sweet home, or galavanting around the world working on my laptop on a freelance basis off and on since 2007. #digitalnomad

As an unusual person, I've definitely got some odd advice. While I don't have kids or pets, I'm betting you haven't heard of half of these, and they just might work for you.

None of them include working -or crying- in the bathroom.

1. The "Mary Poppins" Effect

One day after months of freelancing from home my mind kept wandering. I was looking forward to filling out the bazillionth online proposal for a project as much as a cat looks forward to taking a bath. There might even still be scratch marks on my desk.

Now, to explain this Mary Poppins effect to you I'll need reach into my childhood: for fun, as a kid, I would break out in a British accent (or at least what a 10-year old thinks is a British accent). You have my permission to laugh at me.

This day, when I cannot seem to get through this simple form, I found myself reading the next question in my "British" accent. I answered it. Then I read the next question in a British accent, accompanying myself out loud through each step as I moved my mouse "Find yooour CV. Whear is it? In the pahrsonal foldah," and on and on. Before I knew it, and to my huge surprise, my tedious task was finally done. Stunned, I also realized that this wasn't the first time I'd subconsciously done this.

Through time, in, fact, I noted I do this frequently. Eventually, it was only fair to give my highly organized, very effective British alter ego a name.

As a practical matter, whenever "Elle" swoops in, she's like Mary Poppins and magically makes my mind focus. People just want to see results, right?

Channel whoever

your inner "Mary Poppins" is.

Could it be your Drill Sargent? Spock? Your tutor who helped you through 6th grade algebra? Nancy Drew? Batman? Anyone that left an impression on you, that you feel fondness for, is disciplined and organized and that you can easily channel.

2. Essential Oils

Learn about them (one of my articles in Spanish about essential oils). There was a time where there wasn't a lot of methodical experiments, just a lot of anecdotes and writings from ancient cultures that the medical profession and scientists disregarded because they preferred to get paid to invent new drugs. Well, that's changed. Many-a curious scientist have conducted experiments and you can now read their findings.

for Concentration

Cedar wood. Sandalwood. Frankincense.

to Invigorate yourself

Mints. Citrus. Magnolia.

When people think of essential oils they often think of lavender. While some people tout lavender to help focus, it's mostly known for it's calming effect. One study might show a slight increase in memory retention (one indicator of focus) others are inconclusive or tested other oils and found more effective ones than lavender for focus. To be safe, I'd just stick to using lavender at night to relax.

In fact, I would say to experiment with essential oils. We are each unique and one oil might work for you much better than another oil, depending on the goal.

Important note: Don't overdo it! Just because they are natural, people assume essential oils are faint and benign. Wrong. Essential oils are highly concentrated. In my home warm-weather Miami home, I don't even need to use an oil diffuser. I simply open the bottle or sprinkle one drop on my windowsill. I've read stories of people suffering life-long allergies because they slabbed it on their skin without diluting them in a carrier oil. If I'm at home, there's no need to apply it to my skin, just in my home.

Note: many candles use fake ingredients to get the smells. Why contaminate your home with more chemicals? Read the labels of essential oil bottles and candles before buying. Buy natural.

3. Read on current events only once in the morning from a trusted, scientific source. Do not touch that TV remote!

I only read on current events once in the morning (i.e. covid-19, or whatever other disaster is going on), after my workout. I would suggest you find a website with as few ads as possible to keep the morning feeling "zen." And do not turn on your TV for the news. They purposefully instill anticipation for their next segment, keeping you glued to the TV. And once you've turned on your TV, let's face it. You're a goner for the next three hours. Forget about any productivity there!

Suggestions: I have these two sites Science Daily and Medical News Today set up in my browser preferences as one of my six default webpages that opens whenever I open a new session.

If nothing strikes you as interesting to read that day, don't read! If one of the articles' titles promises to answer a burning question or curiosity, read it, and commit to yourself that you will close the tab immediately when done.

Why science? Science-based articles are more analytical, informational and virtually free of emotionally jolting words. It is peer-reviewed, meaning other scientists are judging their work. Scientists publish their findings with few opinions, and even admit where there are holes in their experiments and what still needs to be researched. Why would you want to listen to the highly contradicting advice on social media, anyway? Hearing it directly from the scientists -the real experts- you can feel confident you've gotten the source information and no one can shake you with doubts or fears.

With the latest data from the scientists themselves, you'll feel solid. Unshakable. That's what you need, mentally, to stay focused. A grounded confidence will help get you through any problematic moment in life.

Watching the news will only stress you out and not let you concentrate. There's nothing you can do to control the situation except for what you're already doing so don't create drama for yourself. You can catch up on any developments or nonsense after a productive work day.

4. Put your cell phone on silent. oooh... daring.

My mobile phone has been silent for a couple of decades... and the world has not ended.

If you have a situation with a sick family member, or need to be on call for a few people, you can put your notifications on silent and only allow incoming phone calls to make a noise. Whenever anyone has truly needed to get ahold of me, they call.

Another option is to download one of the "exception" apps. The apps function differently, but the one I used for a couple of years created an "exception" for the people that I listed. My parents, godparents and my closest girlfriend at the time were on that list. If any of them ever called, it would bypass my "silent" settings and allow my phone to ring.

I try to use my laptop to keep in contact with colleagues, not my cell phone. I put mine out of arm's reach to charge and look at it during lunchtime, then put it away again until after work hours.

5. Make a list of 3 things -and only 3- that you MUST finish that day. This is a manageable amount. Then make a separate list of bigger-picture projects that you need to work on little by little and dedicate only half an hour to each of them.

You'll feel like a champ when you complete your three tasks and make a small dent in the longer-term projects every day. Whether you're working from home or in an office, it doesn't serve you well to overwhelm yourself with too many tasks.

6. Need white noise? You know the answer to this.

Sometimes we all need some white noise in the background to keep us on a roll. As you may have experienced some work and others don't. And stop deluding yourself.

NO, NO, NO and... NO. Help yourself focus by turning these off:

• Music videos, YouTube, TV, Netflix, Hulu. Absolutely nothing visual.
• Podcasts. They are so engaging, right? You don't need that when you have to concentrate.

YES

• Music playlists that give you energy but do not distract you (if you are a Salsa dancer, do not play Salsa because you'll want to dance)
• Music radio stations (same applies, if you're a Hip Hop dancer, don't play Hip Hop)
• Music in an unfamiliar language
• Specifically-designed music for concentration (Google it!)
• Classical music. A study showed that not "any" classical music" will increase your concentration. It must be classical music you like. This might be a good time to become reacquainted, then! I love Shehrezade, Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony, Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto, Dvorak, 9th Symphony, Mendelssohn violin concerto, OP 64.

7. My Very Sensible Dissertation on ... Nonsensible Treats

Counterintuitively, if I tell myself: "you'll treat yourself to 'x' when you complete 'y' task" all I think about is the "x" (the treat) the whole day and my day is awash. I suspect I'm not the only one.

However, if I have something I consider a treat, however silly it is, whose purpose is very helpful and supportive ... I am productive.

Dahlia's non-sensible treats

• An actual paper agenda with stickers where I write my to-do's, my appointments, my notes from phone calls that acts also like a mini, itty-bitty-diary. It is currently missing however, lost somewhere in the Miami Airport... and I'm dying.
• My special, foofy, retro Teasmade tea kettle with a timer. Sure, I could have paid $30 for a tea kettle with a timer, but I paid nearly $70 because... I'm weak... I can't help it! I love this retro, unique little British gadget that harkens to a different time and a different continent! Because I love it, however, I use it. And it's sole purpose on this Earth is to awaken this non-morning-person every day in a happier mood. And no, I am not receiving anything in kind for writing about my Teasmade.
• Other examples of creature comforts, gadgets, treats that might make you more productive simply because you love them: Graphics tablet - Aromatherapy diffuser plugged into a timer to wake up in the morning - Shower radio - Juicer

8. On Vitamins, Oral Fixations & Eating Habits

It might not even be your fault that you are lacking in concentration. Nowadays I think we have bonded to our refrigerator so it's unlikely that you have a deficiency, but even as much as I'm eating lately, if I don't take my iron supplements, my body notices.

Take your vitamins and note how you feel. Keep up that internal check-in with yourself and take action when you're not feeling well.

Liquids. Liquids. Liquids. Um, must I specify? Non-Alcoholic liquids. Water, tea are great, however, coffee can be a little volatile. Keep a big glass/mug by your desk - it works!

Also, oral fixations are real. People bite their nails. Some smoke cigarettes. Others eat. And it isn't always necessarily triggered by stress, but could be triggered from mustering the sheer willpower and concentration to work through a problem or make it to the finish line on a project.

If you, like me, find yourself some days getting up to the kitchen every half hour in search of food or drink to satisfy an oral fixation, keep mostly drinks and occasional snacks at your desk! Lifting my cup to drink water or tea is usually enough to satisfy my very slight oral fixation, but sometimes I need to chew, and getting up every 30 minutes to spend 20 more in the kitchen is a time-drainer. By having snacks at hand I don't break my focus by getting up to the kitchen.

Prepare your meals on the weekends, just like people normally do when they work in an office. This way it won't take you 20-40 minutes to prepare a meal, it will only take you five.

Prepare your meals on the weekends and if you are getting up too often to go to the kitchen, keep a big cup or mug next to you and the occasional snack.

How's this for a roundup for unusual and sometimes downright weird - but likely effective - tips? Tell me if any of this sounds like it'll work for you. Also list in the comments below your "creature comfort/gadgets" that boost your productivity that others should know about. It could be just the thing to help someone!

Of course all of the standard advice is completely valid:

1. Exercise at least 20 minutes when you wake up every morning. Get your body used to it, get the blood flowing to your extremities and brain.
2. Set aside your working area.
3. Get dressed for work every day... ahem... and this implies showering and we want to aim for higher than "yoga pants" and "pajamas."
4. Keep a schedule. Time yourself, even!

If my life were represented by my gallery of pics, it would be plain to see that I've lead an exhilarating life. I've worked in the local economy of various countries, danced till my feet hurt all over the world, seen and experienced amazing places and historic events, and all due to the many wonderful people I've met.

For all of that fun, I don't take the privilege of remote working for granted for one second. Any job, opportunity to make a living, and especially remotely is a privilege that I make serious efforts to maintain.