?? Tips for Working From Home ??

Since a lot of people may now be transitioning to working from home for a while, I thought it may be helpful to share some tried and tested tips about how to increase your productivity and efficiency when working remotely.

? My number 1 tip is to have a specifically designated space, ideally a separate room, which is purely for your work.

Entering the space, closing the door behind you and settling into your “work” chair automatically puts you in the right mindset for work, concentration and minimal distractions from everyday life.

If this is not possible, make sure the room you will be working from is tidy and with good lighting, and clear the desk or table of any unnecessary clutter.

? Have a conversation with the people you share a flat or house with about boundaries – just because you are “right there” doesn’t mean they should interrupt you anytime with unimportant or non-urgent questions or discussions.

Explain to them that you have specific timeslots during the day set aside for rest, and specific time frames for work, and would prefer not to be disturbed during your allocated work time.

You can come up with some ground rules, for example – “if the door to my home office is closed, please don’t disturb me”.

?  Create a morning ritual (even if it’s not more than 15 minutes) which puts you in the right mindset for discipline and focused work.

Keep in mind that we’re usually most productive in the mornings, before decision fatigue catches up with us, so aim to accomplish your most difficult tasks or those requiring the most creativity and concentration as early as possible.

Watch a motivational video, or pick a favorite stretching routine or meditation practice that you do first thing in the morning, to set yourself up for a successful and productive day.

?  Try to incorporate movement and exercise into your daily and weekly schedule – otherwise you will feel lethargic and unmotivated.

A lot of people choose to go for a jog or a gym session first thing in the morning, as they feel it gives them a good energy boost.

? Take short breaks frequently, this makes it easier to avoid distractions and procrastination.

Perhaps you've heard of the Pomodoro technique - I haven't tried it myself but I know that many people swear by it: https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique

? Try to limit external distractions by switching your phone to silent mode and putting it away (so that you don’t constantly check the screen for new notifications).

If you are a frequent Facebook user, you can install the Chrome extension “News Feed Eradicator for Facebook” which replaces your newsfeed with an inspiring quote.

? Before finishing work for the day, complete a daily planner for tomorrow, so that you know exactly where to start the next morning. Time blocking has been found to be more effective than a simple to do list, and you can find different templates online (but you can also easily make one yourself).

? Meal planning and prepping can save you a lot of time throughout the week and may be helpful in ensuring that you eat healthier meals at lunch time.

? Do you have any other tips to share about working productively from home?