How to focus when you’re working from home
In today’s day and age, the prevalence of remote job opportunities is skyrocketing. Whether you’re a stay at home parent or a savvy tech entrepreneur, there are countless hours that you can use to work from home.
Do you run your own business and spend much of your time working from your apartment? Amidst countless spreadsheets, bank statements, and marketing plans, it can be difficult to remain focused on work in your home.
And yet, it’s one of the greatest blessings of the age of technology. You have the opportunity to prioritise your work and take care of your dog, house, and future kids because of your ability to work from home. But, what’s the key to remaining productive without someone breathing down your neck and reminding you of your to-do list?
It all comes down to designing your schedule to incorporate both periods of focus and free time. Accept it: you can’t ignore your house while at home.
Here are a few ways to set yourself up for success while working at home:
1. Pick a Spot, Camp Out
I find that I’m most efficient when I work from my desk. I have a window, a confined space, and a display full of meaningful pictures and quotes to keep me grounded. I designed my desk to be a refuge from the rest of the apartment that allows me to work and stay motivated. If I work from any other spot, I’m far more likely to daydream, turn on the TV in the background, or play catch with my dog. Design a place that inspires you, and you’ll be more likely to visit it.
2. Do Your Chores
Realise that working from home will draw your attention to the needs of your house, so block out a little time to do your chores, as well. That way, you will feel accomplished when it comes to household duties, but you won’t go on a cleaning spree when there is still work to be done.
3. Do First Things, First
Ultimately, having the freedom to work from home makes it easy to get caught up in brainstorming. Creativity plays a huge role in any job, but it can also be a huge distraction from tasks that are pressing. Use checklists to make sure that you get first things done first and save the brainstorming and ideation for later. If you have time to do both, that’s fantastic, but don’t sacrifice what must be done for what you’d like to do.
I use the app Wunderlist to categorise my to-do lists every day. I have four categories: Pure Barre, Special Events, Daily Life, and Writing. I have a running list of items in each category, and every day, I start my day by reviewing and adding to the list. I try to knock out the checklist for my work first and foremost. That’s my main priority and the best way to utilise my time.
The dog, dishes, and laundry can feel like distractions, but because I have a to-do list for the house, as well, I feel accomplished when I cross off those tasks, too. If I’m hitting a roadblock for something work-related, I can take a breather and do something around the house, make a fresh cup of coffee, and revisit the problem.
Working from home is a blessing, so learn how to use it to your advantage. What are your tips and tricks to staying focused in a non-traditional environment?
By: Griffin Hill
This article was originally published on Live in the Grey!
