8 Tips for Creating a Productive Home Office | FlexJobs

Working from home is the dream, right? You can sleep in, work in your PJs, and take breaks whenever you want. But some of those perks can make it a little too cozy at times. Suddenly, your productivity can plummet if you’re not setting yourself up for success.

Between the distractions of the TV, pets, and family members popping in and out, staying focused on the task at hand can be tricky. It is possible, though, to create an environment conducive to focus and concentration.

Maximize Your Remote Work Productivity

Rather than find yourself continually stressed out by work that never seems to be complete and tasks that constantly ooze into personal time, you can boost your remote productivity with intentional planning.

— Get Work-Ready Each Day

You might have dreamed of working in your pajamas every day, but it’s actually best to stick to your routine as much as possible. Getting dressed for work each morning helps put you in the right frame of mind for the day ahead. Seeing yourself in work clothes can make you feel more professional, which allows your mind to realize it’s go-time.

Of course, there’s no need to go overboard—comfortable, casual clothes are perfectly fine. The important thing is to avoid working in your pajamas or loungewear every day, as this can make it all too easy to fall into unproductive habits. So, even if you’re working from your dining table for the day, take the time to get ready for work.

— Prioritize Work Space

Speaking of dining room tables, one of the most significant impacts on your productivity is having dedicated space to work. A separate workspace helps create a physical boundary between work and home life, making it easier to focus on work during business hours. In addition, an office workstation can provide a place to keep work-related materials organized and easily accessible when you log in for the day.

Perhaps you’re longing for a home office but don’t have a spare room. For the time being, you may have to get creative with your available space to carve out room for a desk. Consider every closet, hallway, corner, or other unconventional nooks you might have. You can generally find enough space to establish at least a desk and chair with a bit of brainstorming.

— Incorporate Your Personality

Tailor the setup to your style since you don’t have to deal with a corporate layout or coworker considerations. Some remote workers love to position themselves by a window to spur creativity or feel connected to the outside world. Others may find such an arrangement distracting. Those who crave quietness may thrive in the most noise-free area of their house, while workers bothered by too much silence may prefer a place where they can hear household activities or street traffic.

Take the time to design a functional and appealing home office space. Walking into a room painted your favorite shade of blue or filled with photographs of the most influential people in your life can provide excellent vibes for whatever projects are on the agenda that day!

— Keep Your Workspace Clutter-Free

A cluttered workspace can be a major productivity killer. It makes it difficult to find what you need and can be a constant reminder of all the unfinished tasks on your to-do list. Many remote workers find that household paperwork often ends up on their desks as well, creating a visual attention-grabber away from work tasks. In contrast, a decluttered workspace can help you feel more focused and motivated.

So, if you’re looking to boost your productivity, start by decluttering your home office workspace. Put away any nonessential items and make sure all your supplies are organized and within easy reach. Have separate files and space for non-work-related papers. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference it makes!

— Be Routine-Oriented

Prioritize your work by setting a regular time to start working, just as you would in an office. One of the many perks of working remotely can be a flexible schedule. Rather than flex your way into working all the time, be intentional with your planning. You might be surprised how much of a focus you have if you wake up knowing exactly what hours you’re working for the day.

— Honor Your Breaks

Along that same line of thought, ensure that you’re taking your breaks to maximize your productivity. Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean that you should be giving up your regular mental breaks. Consider all the times in the office where you would walk to the break room, chat with a coworker, and take an actual lunch break.

Those times are just as essential when you’re working from home. Ensure that your breaks are farther than to the coffee pot or the refrigerator and back. Instead, schedule yourself time away from your desk and out of your workspace every few hours, with a longer break in the middle that gets you outside and out of work mode. You’ll be energized and ready to go when you return.

— Be Mindful of Your Health

It can be easy to fall out of a healthy routine when you do not see your coworkers daily. To maximize your productivity, it’s essential to retain a focus on fitness, staying hydrated, and enjoying nutritious foods. Even if you can’t go to the gym, there are plenty of ways to stay active at home. Start by prioritizing basic movement, whether it’s a standing desk, a walk around the block with your pup, or an entire sweat session each day.

Secondly, it’s crucial to stay hydrated throughout the day. While caffeine is a best friend to many remote workers, ensure that you’re balancing your intake with plenty of water. Finally, focus on eating healthy foods that will give you sustained energy throughout the day. This might include incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet or choosing whole-grain options.

— Manage Distractions

One of the biggest challenges of working from home is dealing with distractions. There is always laundry to be done, dishes to be washed, and errands to be run. And of course, there’s the temptation to take a nap or watch just one more episode of your favorite TV show. The key to dealing with distractions is to manage your attention before it wanders.

By setting healthy boundaries with yourself and others, you can make sure that you’re focused on your work when you need to be. For example, you might set a rule that you won’t check social media during work hours, or that you’ll take a break when your kids get home from school and then be unavailable except for emergencies until quitting time.

Practice Attention Management

There are many benefits that you’ll discover working remotely, like not smelling your coworker’s fish lunch and setting the thermostat to your preferred temperature. However, it can also be difficult to maintain productivity, especially when you’re new to the remote work-life experience. However, it can be done with planning and regular check-ins to verify that you’re staying on track with your priorities.