Working from home can be great. There’s no more morning commute, you don’t have to try and find somewhere new to lunch, you don’t have to put up with the awful office coffees. But it has its problems too. Mainly that staying productive while working at home can prove challenging. There’s a lot to distract you.
To help home office workers stay on top of workloads we’ve put together some tips on how to create a productive working environment.
De-clutter
If your home office is messy, you’re going to find it hard to work in there. Simple. So take time out every week to de-clutter your work space. Clear out all those old documents scattered across your desk. File the ones you need.
Play music
Studies have shown that music can increase your dopamine levels while working. This in turn can help you come up with new ideas and actually get more done. Plus, it’ll help you drown out the noise of the street outside or the kids playing downstairs – which is something you need to do if you want to remain on point.
Organisation
We mentioned filing away your documents, but it’s important that everything in the office is organised. If you know exactly where one thing is, it means less time spent looking for it, more time working. Organisation is the key to efficiency, so pick up file racks, bookshelves, and anything else you think you might need to organise your whole office.
Comfort
If you’re uncomfortable in your home office you aren’t going to get enough work done. So invest in a comfy office chair and ergonomic equipment. It’s a good idea to have a ‘comfy corner’ in your office too, for those moments you need a little down time.
Work only
One thing you must do is separate your office and your home in your mind. Your home should be the place you wind down, relax with family, and have fun. Your office is for work, and only work. Don’t mix the two up, because it will affect productivity.