8 Ways to Stay Focused and Motivated While Working from Home

For millions of people, working from home has become the new norm. Unfortunately, this adjustment has been quite a culture shock for many. Working from home provides many distractions that range from bored, whiny children to tempting content on Netflix or Disney+. It was hard enough getting chores done and/or parenting, and now you’re expected to work?! Here are some ways you can balance things, stay on task, and get the job done remotely.

Take Frequent Breaks 

Taking breaks might sound counterproductive, but it’s actually the best thing you can do for quality work output. Plugging away at a computer for hours on end does nothing positive for your mental well-being, posture, or productivity. Break up the monotony, get up and get moving. 

Walk away from the computer every quarter hour. Experts believe that our memory retains new information every fifteen minutes. So, giving yourself that break allows the intel to soak in your brain like a sponge. Then, you’re able to use this knowledge for work-related tasks more efficiently. 

If you find fifteen-minute intervals to be too frequent, try the Pomodoro technique. This method suggests a five-minute break every 25 minutes. No matter which method you choose, don’t use the time to scroll social media. Move about and get out of your workspace.

Stretch 

Staying stationary for so long can do a number on the body. So, it’s important to work out the kinks. Otherwise, your creative energy will have trouble flowing. 

Make sure you stop and stretch throughout the day, especially during your breaks. Try to carve out some time to do a yoga video that moves and stretches your whole body. That way, you can break up any blockages that are bringing your productivity down.

Also, stretching improves blood circulation. Oxygenated blood is vital for powering the brain cells that help us make decisions, perform work-related tasks, and communicate effectively.

Create Quiet Time   

Whether you live with children, family members, or a roommate, the house can get quite noisy. If possible, pick out an area in the home (or on your property) where you can get some peace. 

Unfortunately, that’s not always an option. In that case, sit down your cohabiters and lay down some ground rules. 

Let them know which hours are essential for you to have quiet time. Also, pick a prop to place outside your makeshift office that lets others know not to disturb you during the conference call you just hopped on. For example, tape a red stop sign image to your door to alert children or others that they need to be quiet. 

Eliminate Distractions 

Nobody knows what will garner your attention better than you do. So, make it harder for your focus to divert. Get rid of potential distractions. 

Don’t put the TV on in the background as you work. Keep tabs for social media closed on your laptop, so you don’t notice a new notification. Put your phone on “Emergency Only” mode. Do what you can to ensure your success. 

Create an Itinerary 

Procrastination often begins when people become overwhelmed. Sometimes it’s easier to put something off because you simply don’t know where to start. Eliminate this air of uncertainty by creating an agenda. 

Set out the list of tasks you must complete for the week. Plan on what you hope to accomplish each hour every day to ensure your goals are accomplished. Not only will this exercise keep you on track, but you’ll be amazed by how much free time you find in your schedule!

Talk to Humans 

Many of us miss the connection that comes with physically going to the office. This disenchantment can have disastrous results on our work habits. For one, we can get lonely. 

The average person spends 90,000 hours of their life working. That means one-third of their time spent on earth is surrounded by people. These very people are sometimes what make the job tolerable. Be sure to check in with them, so social distancing doesn’t hurt your morale towards working. Those coworkers may also be experiencing low morale, and may want to hear from you.

Secondly, interacting with humans can keep you on task. If you remain out-of-sight, out-of-mind, you might get complacent with a lazy work ethic. By reporting to others, you remain in check!

Be the Part 

Even if you’re simply going downstairs to the home office, or grabbing your laptop to work on the couch, remember that you’re going to work. Dress the part. Get up and get ready like you used to. Maybe you don’t need to go overboard with the suits, cosmetics, or perfumes. However, it will help you get in the working mindset if you get out of your sweats, take a shower, and do your hair. 

Also, don’t do household chores while you work. You shouldn’t be interrupted by a beeping laundry machine in the middle of a Zoom meeting. Set time for chores outside of work hours. 

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