11 Ways to Improve Productivity while Working from Home

Work from home has now become a norm now. Sooner or later, everyone will have to accept it as a part of the new normal. Some of us having been doing it from long while some have been forced to because of the pandemic. However, a common concern faced by all working from home is Productivity.

Here are 11 ways to improve productivity while working from home:

1. Dress Yourself as you do for Office

It may seem unnecessary but a formal dress can do wonders to your productivity. Formally dressing yourself evokes a sense of seriousness and discipline. This has a positive psychological impact on your efficiency, seriousness, discipline and productivity.

2. Arrange a Table Chair Setup

Ideally, you would want to arrange an isolated work space at your home. However, if that is not possible, arrange a table chair setup.

Avoid working on sofa or bed at any cost.

3. Create a Distraction Free Environment

Make your family understand that now is the time to work harder. This is not a paid vacation. Hence, you need space during your office hours.

Also, avoid your urge to check notifications, messages and social media.

4. Create a Realistic Schedule and be Punctual

You need to designate your office hours and stick to it. During office hours, create a schedule of work required to be done and ensure achieving your schedule before the end of your designated office hours.

Include breaks, lunch, hydration, snacks etc. in your schedule. Do not let your after office hours become office hours as well.

Additionally, you may make use of some time management and tracking tools or software, if your work demands so.

5. Prefer communicating over Video or Audio than Text

Since, you are not in vicinity with your team members, there are high chances of miscommunication. Hence, prefer speaking your colleagues and clients over video chat or phone call than texting them.

6. Take Breaks not Vacations

Taking small breaks during work is healthy. However, always time your breaks and make them short. User your short breaks productively to stretch, move a bit or to grab a bite or coffee or something.

Having said so, do not take frequent short breaks. It becomes difficult to regain and maintain focus if you take too many frequent breaks.

7. Nothing Personal at Work; No Work after Work

Keep your personal and professional life separate. This cannot be more emphasized while working from home.

While you are working, work as you are in office and keep your personal life separate. Having said so, once you stop working, completely disconnect from your work and focus on your personal life.

Working from home has made the already difficult task of separating personal and professional life, more difficult. However, drawing a boundary helps achieve peace of mind and consequently, boost your productivity.

8. Create an Environment of Positive Vibes

Maintain a surrounding of things which boosts your positivity. Have around you, green plants, uplifting posters, soothing colors, mild music or anything of your personal preference, which boosts your positivity and improves the environment.

9. Have a Target-Oriented Approach

Challenge yourself with targets. Create and achieve realistic targets, challenge yourself, push yourself harder. Strive to be better and better with each passing moment.

10. Use Collaborative and Remote Working Tools

Familiarize and upgrade yourself with Technology. Use collaborative and remote working technologies to synchronize with your team and achieve results with optimum efficiency.