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When you work from home, it can be difficult to sustain the same level of focus that you have in the office. Your home is where you relax, play games, and watch movies. All those distractions are within arm’s reach, and it can be difficult to avoid temptation. Follow these tips to remain productive while working from home.
1. Dress for Success
It may feel silly to get dressed when you don’t need to leave your house, but spending days on end in your pajamas will impact your ability to be productive. It’s important that you keep your daily routine. You want to continue activities you would normally do if you were heading to work, like taking a shower and getting ready in the morning. After you get dressed, it will be easier to push yourself into work mode.
2. Set Strict Hours
Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you don’t need to have consistent work hours. Setting work hours for yourself will keep you on track. Don’t let the day get away from you. Give yourself a regularly scheduled lunch break just like you would have at the office. Maintaining the same work hours you had before you worked from home will help you to retain a sense of normalcy.
3. Set Daily Goals
Each morning before you get started, make a list of goals you want to accomplish during your workday. Every time you do a task on your list, cross it out. Having a physical list and being able to cross off goals when you have finished them is very rewarding. Let your to-do list guide your day. The more you are able to cross off your list, the easier it will be to continue working.
4. Take Exercise Breaks
If you are finding it difficult to focus, take a break, but don't allow yourself to do anything too fun or relaxing when you’re on a work break. Enjoyable activities will only serve to distract you, but exercising should keep you focused and energized. You don’t need to head to the gym to work out; just pull up a quick exercise routine on your phone and use it to center yourself before you get back on task.
5. Hide Your Phone
Unless you use your phone for work, you should turn your phone off until you’ve finished your tasks for the day. Your phone is a huge distraction, and it takes only one text message notification to potentially derail your focus. For the hours when you are working, set your phone aside and keep your focus entirely on your job.
