The current environment allows and asks more of us to work from home, as with every new habit, we need to get used to it.

This text includes powerful tips related to Working From Home. It also contains three actionable steps you can take right away and a list of suggested reading for those looking for even more information.

Working from home sounds like a dream to many people. I mean, you can't beat the commute, right? Well, once people start working from home, this illusion begins to fade. They find it hard to stay productive and miss the social interaction with their colleagues. If you struggle to work from home, then follow these tips to stay productive.

Create a Dedicated Workspace
You don't need a home office. If you live in a condo or small house, you likely couldn't have one anyway. That said, you should dedicate whatever area you can as your workplace. Find somewhere relatively quiet and comfortable. Let other people in the household know about it so they can be considerate during your working hours.

Set Healthy Boundaries With Your Loved Ones
You should make sure that your friends and family know when you are working. You should also inform them that you shouldn't be disturbed during work hours. An emergency is one thing, but someone asking you where to find the milk is the type of distraction you need to squash right away.

Embrace Your Productive Hours
You will quickly figure out when you get your best work done. Once you do, double down on those times. If you are a morning person, consider getting up a bit earlier. If you get your best work done late at night, adjust your routine accordingly.

Adopt a Work-First Mindset
First off, this doesn't mean that you put your work above everything else. What it means is that when you plan your day, you plan it around work. You have some errands to do? Fine. Just make sure that you get a couple of pressing work tasks done first. Remember: eat the frog first? Exactly!

Learn How to Disconnect
Working from home often blurs the lines between work and rest. You need to be able to disconnect when your workday is over, or you will never feel rested. There is nothing wrong with working long hours, but when you feel the need to get away from it all, you will need to learn new ways to do that.

Find a Routine That Works For You
Routines are a great way to stay productive and get things done almost mindlessly. Creating and fostering these routines while you work from home is a great way to stay on track. Create a morning routine for when you first get up. Create a routine for when you are done your working hours. Any actions you repeat regularly can quickly become part of a pattern.

Find Ways to Stay Social
Even the most introverted of us need a bit of social interaction. Working from home can feel lonely sometimes, so ensure you take steps to stay connected with your social circle. You can schedule more in-person meetups, but don't forget about technology. Apps like Skype or Zoom make staying connected more manageable than ever before.

Make Sure To Stay Active
When you work from home, you lose out on a lot of your day-to-day activity. It might not seem like a big difference, but it adds up over the long run. You may need to increase your exercise load or begin exercising if you haven't been.

Don't Forget About Personal Grooming
It's easy to slip into a routine where you wake up, pour a coffee, and shuffle over to your computer for the day. Some people will tell you to prepare for working from home like you were going in. That's not bad advice, but it might be overkill. You should, however, ensure your clothes and body is clean, at least. It's good or your health and spirit. It sounds pretty basic, but this is so important! I even found myself putting on perfume before an online meeting – just following my regular habit.

So let's sum it up into three actionable steps:

Designate a workspace in your home. Make do with what you have. The goal here isn't to create a lavish private office, just an area conducive to being productive.

Let friends and family know your working hours. This way, you can help to avoid distractions before they even become a problem.

Every week of working from home, take a minute to list the things that are working or not. Embrace the things that work, and try to avoid the ones that don't.

FURTHER READING
This section includes affiliate links; when you buy the products via this link, I get a small contribution to my website; there is no cost for you.
The Work From Home Survival Guide
There's No Place Like Working From Home
Remote: Office Not Required eBook
Work From Home While You Roam
Making Remote Work Work

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