How to ​Be Productive While Working Remotely + Checklist

Working from home can have a lot of benefits. It can free you from having a commute, save you money on work clothes and allow you some flexibility. However, it can be difficult to be productive at times. Here are some tips that will help you be as productive as possible when working at home.

1) Set Up A Designated Work Area
As tempting as it might be to lay in bed and start your day, it won’t help you be productive. To get the most work done, you really should have a designated area where the majority of your job will be taking place. Even if you don’t have a spare room in your home to set up, you can still find a quiet spot in your living room or bedroom to place a desk, computer, phone or anything else you will need to get your work completed.

2) Get Up And Get Dressed Everyday
While you’re probably thinking if I’m working from home, why do I need to get dressed? The answer is simple; you will be more productive. Sure, it might be more comfortable to work in your pajamas or sweats, but you won’t get nearly as much done. You should start your day off by getting ready just as you would be if you were going to the office. When you look like you are going to work, you will feel like more confident and will be more productive overall. 

3) Set Hours
Even if your job doesn’t require you to have set work times, set aside specific work hours. During this time remove all distractions. Don’t take personal calls, attend to children or do housework. Even if it’s just 20 minutes at a time, you will be more productive than you would be in two hours if you are trying to multitask.  

4) Create Daily Goals
One of the easiest ways that you can be productive while working at home is to set daily goals. Start out small and make sure your goals are attainable. While it’s great to set lofty goals, you will only end up setting yourself up for failure if you set goals that you can’t easily attain. 

5) Take Breaks
Just as you need to take breaks if you were at an actual office, you need to take breaks when working at home. If you don’t, you will get burnt out and will find yourself having no motivation to do anything. For every hour you work, take a 10-minute break. Even if you just stop for a few minutes to have a cup of coffee or to take your dog for a walk, you would be amazed at how productive you will feel once you start working when your break is over. 

​Ready to Increase Your Productivity?

Make sure you follow it each day to get the most done and to achieve your goals. By utilizing these simple things, you can increase your productivity. 

Checklist
❒ My workspace is in a designated area of my home and is only used for work

❒ I start my day by getting dressed and getting ready for the day even if I will never be leaving my home that day

❒ I set hours each day that I work to minimize distractions

❒ I create daily goals that I can obtain if I am productive

❒ Each day I take breaks to regroup and increase my ability to get work done

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