How To Increase Your Productivity When Working From Home

Working from home can be a tough adjustment, here's our top productivity tips to help keep you motivated.

It’s no shock that most of us have been working from home since Covid-19 hit. But the new tighter restrictions with Sydney’s lockdown means some of us are taking to the home office for the first time during this pandemic.

There are a lot of benefits to working from home including flexible schedules. With 45% of Australians agreeing that the flexible schedule has been an improvement in their lives (Statista Oct 20). But working from home can be quite a big adjustment. Especially if you’re used to working in a team environment, the switch can sometimes leave you feeling lonely. These emotions often impact our overall productivity, making it hard for us to focus on our tasks.

For those who are not used to working at home, distractions are the biggest impact on your productivity. After all, you are working from your own personal space, there are kids to look after, washing that needs to be done, and pets that need attention. On top of all that, cabin fever is most likely creeping in if you haven’t left the house for days.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. There are numerous hacks and tips you can implement into your own schedule to help maximise your productivity. Read on for our 7 working from home productivity tips.

1. Set up a clutter-free workspace

Make yourself an office, or at least a “workstation”. Of course, a spare room or a study is the most ideal workspace, but for some of us, we don’t have that luxury. Plopping yourself on the lounge in front of the TV, although it may be comfy will present you with many temptations. If you don’t have much space to plant a desk in your home, try the kitchen table although not ideal, it’s more productive than working from your bed or lounge.

A great tip is to make sure your desk is nice and tidy. Giving your desk a quick “spring clean” and removing any items that aren’t related to your work or tasks will help to minimise distractions. Remember a clutter-free workspace = a clutter-free mind.

Colour is also another great impact for subconsciously improving overall mood and thus concentration. A recent University of Texas Study found that colours such as grey, beige and white in office settings induced feelings of sadness and depression, in women. With purple and orange having the same effect on men. Blues and greens have been proven to boost overall productivity, so if you’ve got anything blue or green whether that’s a painting or even a plant, it’s beneficial to include these in your workspace.

2. Create a routine and stick to it

The added flexibility of working at home means many of us are working extended hours and losing the work-life balance, we fought so hard for. It’s important to still implement a routine throughout your day, just as you would if you were commuting to the physical office. Have a set time that you’re going to wake up, making sure it leaves you enough time to set yourself up for the day. Make sure to have a nutritious breakfast, don’t forget the coffee of course. And make sure to move your body at least once a day, whether that’s a workout first thing in the morning, or just a simple walk during your lunch break. Allowing yourself time to move your body and get outside, gives your brain a reset and allows those natural endorphins to kick in. Preparing your mind and body for a productive day of working is key. 

3. Utilise your to-do list

It’s easy to get off task while working at home and even the office for that fact. If you don’t already start utilising a to-do list. This helps you to prioritise your day and visualise your progress. The best time to make a to-do list is the day before. Whilst you're still in work mode, take the last few minutes of your workday to map out your tasks for the next, trust me future you will thank you for it. The key is to keep your list short, so it doesn’t seem overwhelming.

4. Dress for success

I know what you’re thinking, why does it matter? No one’s going to see me. This is true, but not trying with your outfit is a crucial mistake in terms of your productivity. The act of preparing for the day ahead sends a message to your brain that it's go time, which in turn sparks an increase in energy. Of course, this doesn’t mean wearing office attire around the house, it’s as simple as changing out of your pajamas, even if it’s just into a different pair.

5. Communicate with your team

It’s important that you are checking in with your team throughout the day. Not only does this give them a clear timeline of your deliverables but also gives the opportunity for human interaction. It’s important to keep in check with your co-workers, as these are confusing times for everyone. A simple “hey, how are you?” can make the world of difference. Even the strongest loners need some human interaction from time to time.

6.Take Breaks

It can sometimes be overwhelming working at home when you have a huge to-do list staring at you. You’re often tempted to keep working and often forget to take breaks. It’s important for your own well-being to set a strict time of the day to have a proper lunch break, and yes this means no more eating lunch at your desk. Not only does it help to reset your mind but also your brain. You can only concentrate for so long on one task, taking a break allows your brain to refresh itself and ensure it’s at 100% when you carry on.

7. Stick to your work hours

Rest is just as important to ensure maximum productivity. When you’re working from your home office it’s easy to let tasks drift into the evening. It may seem beneficial as you’re able to get much more done but overworking often leads to stress and burnout. It’s important to have a strict finishing time, to prevent tasks from carrying over into your personal time. This will not only improve your health and wellbeing, but it will allow you to be more productive during your days knowing that your finishing time is non-negotiable.

Lastly don’t forget to take care of yourself. The key is to keep up a good work-life balance, establish strict boundaries and look after your mental health during this difficult time.