Due to the recent spread of COVID-19, many communities are now urging their residents to stay indoors and practice social distancing. As a result, many companies are now also encouraging their employees to work remotely. While this arrangement may seem ideal, many find that, after a few days working from home, their productivity and efficiency begin to dwindle. As many employees will be working from home for the foreseeable future, it’s important to nip this unproductive mindset in the bud as quickly as possible. The following ways to stay motivated when working from home will help keep you on schedule no matter what life throws your way.
Take a break
This may seem counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to stay motivated when working from home is to take short breaks throughout the day. Even a five-minute break between tasks will provide you a mental reprieve that will allow you to tackle the rest of your schedule with vigor. During these breaks, be sure to stand up and walk away from your home workspace entirely. This will reduce your urge to check your email and ensure that you fully disconnect from work, if only for a few minutes. Some great ways to take a break during your workday include tidying up a small area of your home, cooking a quick snack, or taking a brief walk outdoors. Never underestimate the power that fresh air can have on your productivity. If you don’t have time for a full-length walk around your neighborhood, try to get outside in some way for at least a few minutes each day.
Set a schedule
When working from home, it can be easy to fall into the trap of waking up late and then working late into the evening. This relaxed mindset may work for some, but it often leaves people feeling sluggish throughout the workday. As such, it’s important to set a schedule and stick to it as closely as possible. Begin your day working from home just as you would if you were heading into the office: Set an alarm, take a shower, and cook yourself a nutritious breakfast. This will put you into the proper mindset to conduct your business. Take your lunch break at a normal time, and try to clock out at the same time you normally would if you were working in the office. This will help keep you on pace throughout the day and will ensure that your work and home life don’t intermingle more than necessary.
Create a workspace
As tempting as it can be to stay in bed all day when working from home, you should avoid it as much as possible. Creating a designated space to work while at home will help keep your work and home life separate as much as possible. Designating a workspace will also help get you into the correct mindset for conducting business. Outfit your space will all the items you will need to conduct business as usual. This will decrease the likelihood that you will need to leave the workspace in search of paper, pens, or staples, thereby decreasing the potential for distraction.
