13 Things You Need to be Productive if You Work From Home

Thanks to the internet, smart phones, and recording equipment, people are finding more and more ways to make money from the comfort of their own home.

If you’re someone who works from home, or, if you’re interested in shifting into a stay at home job, you probably know that staying productive and focused is not always as easy as it sounds.

There are often many unforeseen challenges and distractions that contribute to working from home. To help you out, we’ve thought through some tips & tricks to keep you productive throughout the day!

1. Get started early

Working from home means you get to sleep in, make a big breakfast, and get started midmorning, right? If you want to be successful and productive, getting an early start is key. Decide when you are going to start your work day and stick with it.

2. Establish a morning routine

One nice thing about a normal 9-5 job is that you typically get some wake up time before you start your work for the day. With your shower, getting ready, and drive time, you usually have the chance to mentally prepare for the day ahead. Instead of jumping out of bed and getting to work right away, establish a morning routine to mentally prepare. If you need help figuring out how to get in a routine or what to do, read our blog on 6 things to do every morning.

3. Get out of your pajamas

While dreams of living in your pajamas may have plagued your office life, it’s actually not a good idea to wear your pajamas while on the job. Get into clothes that make you feel good. The better you feel, the more productive you can be.

4. Schedule out your week

Before starting out each week, write a weekly and daily “to-do list” for yourself. Writing out a list or in your planner helps you organize what needs to get taken care of and when. That way you aren’t rushed for a deadline by the end of the week.

5. Invest in your home office

Make your office a place that you want to be. Invest in a high quality desk or stand up desk, chair, printer & scanner, daily planner, white board, handsfree headset, and cute decorations (duh!). 

6. Work from other places a few days a week

Working from home can sometimes feel isolating and often depressing. Plan a few days out of the week to work from a coffee shop or library. If you have a friend who also works from home, try meeting up and working together!

7. Limit your social media breaks

Social media is the water cooler of the at-home office. But, getting sucked into social media is an easy way to waste a lot of time. Schedule in your breaks, and make sure you step away from your computer when you do take a break. 

8. Save calls for the afternoon

Working hard all morning = a brain dead afternoon. Calls typically require a lot less thought then producing content. 

9. Don’t try to multitask

One frustrating thing about working from home is that it’s easy to start thinking about all the other things you need to get done. Instead of trying to do a little bit of each, give your full attention to one task at a time. Usually you can get a lot more done that way.

10. Do household chores as a break

Household chores are a great way to schedule in breaks. You can step away from your computer, give your mind a break, and still be productive.

11. Put your tv on in the background

...not to watch it, but having a noise on in the background often makes it easier to zone out and focus. Try putting the History channel on at a very low volume and see if it helps!

12. Be clear with others what your working hours are

We all have that one friend or relative that acts like working from home = not having anything to do. Be clear with people when you will be working and when you can hang out. Don’t let people just stop by. 

13. Try to avoid non-work appointments during the normal workday

Appointments like getting your hair cut or going to the dentist can often turn into a full day affair. Try to prioritize your work hours and schedule non-work appointments for another time.

Do you work from home? If so, what do you do and how do you stay productive and focused throughout the day?