Maximizing Your Productivity While Working Remotely
If you haven’t already, it’s important to assess how you’re doing working from home and to make adjustments as needed. Distractions are all around, especially when you’re working from the comfort of your home.
Any workspace has productivity killers, and a lot can hinge on your ability to avoid distractions. In a remote setting, it’s up to you to be just as motivated and focused as you would be in the on-site workplace.
Beware of these common at-home distractions:
- Roommates, family, friends and pets
- Housework and chores
- Emails, instant messages, phone calls and texts
- Social media and other online browsing
- Entertainment, including television and radio
Being a productive remote worker comes with responsibility, self-reliance and resourcefulness. Set yourself up for success with the following 10 tips:
- Establish a designated workspace so you can mentally enter work mode.
- Dress like you’re at work to help inform your brain that it’s time to work.
- Plan your working hours and tackle the hardest work when you have the most energy.
- Set deadlines and focus on achieving them.
- Avoid multitasking and be aware of workspace stressors that trigger time-wasting behavior.
- Manage interruptions by setting boundaries with kids, pets and roommates.
- Avoid chores and save housework for before or after the workday.
- Take care of yourself and start the day with something you find rewarding.
- Separate work and personal time by sticking to your workday schedule and logging off as planned.
- Check in with yourself and note how you’re feeling.
Overall, setting clear boundaries with both co-workers and anyone at home will help make the remote workday more productive. If you’re feeling burnt out or often distracted, talk to your supervisor or manager about how they can help.
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