Working from home: 30 tips to be productive

[fatimahislam]

Working from home is great… until your pet jumps on your keyboard and your neighbor gets creative and decides to build a time machine, which will require all kinds of tools (the louder the better).
For many modern professionals, working from home from time to time is a privilege granted by companies, but which work environment allows us to be more productive: the home office or the real office?

In the real office, it's your colleagues who often prevent you from doing your job properly by sitting at your desk, chatting with you, or inviting you to lunch. The social benefits of working in an office are many, but they can become a problem if you tend to be easily distracted.

At home, you can become your own worst enemy. When you don't have colleagues around, inhibitions disappear (and so do pants, sometimes). In the home office, there's no Big Brother watching you and you don't have the same pressure or communal obligation to get work done. However, you should keep in mind that there are certain guidelines that will make your work at home more productive.

Below, we've compiled a list of great tips for panama whatsapp lead working from home with the help of some of our amazing coworkers.


30 tips for working from home
Start early.
Pretend you have to go to the office.
Organize your day as if you were in the office.
Have your workspace.
Don't stay at home.
Avoid social media.
Commit to doing more.
Work when you feel most productive.
Leave the calls for the afternoon.
Focus on a distraction.
Plan your tasks in advance.
Turn to technology to stay connected.
Listen to music that matches your tasks.
Use laundry time to time your chores.
Talk about what you hope to accomplish with someone who is at home with you.
Take a break.
Interact with other people.
Prepare your meals the night before.
Decide what time you will finish work each day.
Work with the television on in the background.
Use a second monitor.
Add plants to your space.
Leave notices if total silence is required.
Create a home office policy.
Implement a productive routine.
Create task lists and a hierarchy of activities.
Tidy up your workspace at the end of the day.
Debunk the multitasking myth.
Have everything at hand.
Connect your actions with your objectives and goals.
1. Start early
If you work in an office, the commute can help you wake up and feel sharp and productive when you get to your desk. At home, however, the transition from pillow to computer can be more abrupt.

Although you may find it hard to believe, one way to improve your productivity when working from home is to get started as soon as you wake up, or after exercising in the morning. Starting a project as soon as you get out of bed can be key to making faster progress throughout the day. Otherwise, you risk letting a long breakfast and innate morning laziness take away your motivation.

“When I work from home, I wake up, make a cup of coffee, and get to work right away, much earlier than normal work hours. I only get up to make breakfast when I feel unmotivated or need a break. I feel extremely productive in the morning, and I find that I can get through things much faster if I start early. This routine is ideal for me.”

— Lindsay Kolowich

2. Pretend you have to go to the office
Ideas associated with working in a real office can make you feel more productive, and you don't have to give them up if you work from home.

When you work from home, you continue the routine you would follow if you were in an office: set an alarm, make yourself some coffee, and get dressed. Internet browsers like Google Chrome even allow you to set up multiple accounts with different toolbars at the top. For example, one toolbar for working from home and another for working in the office.

«Get ready for your tasks and pretend you are going to work. Otherwise, you risk spending the day in bed.»

— Anna Faber-Hammond

3. Organize your day as if you were in the office
When you work from home, you are your own boss, but if you don't have meetings or commitments that give you small breaks during the day, you could lose focus or end up exhausted. Sometimes we even forget to wash our hands!

To stay organized, break down your daily tasks and when you'll do them . If you have an online calendar, create personal events and reminders to transition from one task to another. You can easily do this with Google Calendar.

“Do you spend your morning writing in the office? Do the same at home. Although you probably work faster at home than in the office, this structure will help you stay focused and productive.”

— Ginny Mineo

4. Have your workspace
Just because you don't work in an office doesn't mean you can't have your own office. Instead of lounging on the couch or in bed (places we associate with leisure activities), designate a specific room or space to work in. You can even apply many of the same office cleaning strategies to your own workspace at home. Having your workspace organized and clean will also prevent any accidents you might suffer from clutter.

“Have your own workspace. This can be a specific table or chair, a nearby coffee shop, or somewhere that becomes your ‘workspace.’ It will help you get into a productive mindset.”

— Sam Mallikarjunan

5. Don't stay at home
Is working from home not practical for you? Then get outside. Coffee shops, libraries, public places, and other Wi-Fi-enabled spaces can simulate an office environment that will allow you to stay productive, even when you're not in an actual office . In fact, moving around is a practice you should keep in mind, even when you return to the office.

You can also take advantage of this time to do some postural hygiene exercises .

“I go to work at a Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, or any other Wi-Fi-enabled space that has tables, chairs, and other people. The noise, voices, etc., help simulate an office environment and allow me to work better than I do in the silence of my home. It also eliminates distractions that often lurk at home, like the need to clean my room, do laundry, or watch TV.

I refuse to become one of those people who sits in a coffee shop and does nothing, which motivates me to avoid distractions like Facebook and prove that it is possible to work in a public place.

— Corey Wainwright

6. Avoid social media
Social media is designed to be opened and checked in an instant, but if you're working this can be detrimental to your productivity and concentration.

Avoid accessing social media during work hours because these platforms have an addictive power. You can also consider the idea of ​​working in a private window or, if you use Chrome, an “incognito” window. This way, you won’t be logged into any of your accounts and every web search you do won’t auto-complete the words you type. I guarantee that this will help you avoid taking too many “breaks” during the day.

“I delete all social media from my bookmarks bar. Although I try to avoid checking them, I get the overwhelming urge to do so during idle moments. You can end up checking them inadvertently, so deleting them is the safest option if you want to stay productive.”

— Alec Biedrzycki

7. Commit to doing more
Projects always take longer than initially estimated, so we often end up doing less than planned. Just as we should slightly extend the time we will spend on an activity, we should also overestimate the number of tasks we will complete during the day. Even if you don't meet the goal, you will end the day with a list of concrete tasks completed. Whatever the case, always try to adopt habits that maximize your performance.

“As a team, we have a meeting every morning where we share what we will do during the day. When I work from home, I tend to be a bit exaggerated when talking about my deliverables for the day. It forces me to be honest, so that even if I feel like doing something else, I know that I have committed to my team to deliver a certain amount of work.”

— Corey Wainwright

8. Work when you feel extremely productive
No one maintains constant productivity throughout the day. It's normal for your motivation level to fluctuate. However, when you work from home, it's very important to know when these fluctuations occur and have a plan.

If you want to make the most of your peak productivity periods, reserve the most difficult tasks for when you know you'll be 100% focused on them. Use your less-motivated periods to complete the easier logistical tasks. OCC stresses the importance of starting your workday early , because it allows you to get more done efficiently and can help you build momentum for the tougher projects that day brings.

“For me, my most productive hours are early in the morning or late at night, so I try to plan my day around that. Listening to music that motivates me is also helpful.”

— Brittany Leaning

9. Leave calls for the afternoon
Sometimes I feel so tired in the morning that I don't even want to hear the sound of my own voice, much less have to talk to others. It's not a good idea to take too long to get started in the morning, but you can wait a little while before collaborating directly with others.

If you find it difficult to organize a reasonable routine when working from home, start your day with tasks that you need to complete alone. Leave phone calls, meetings, and other collaborative work for when you're feeling wide awake.

«Take advantage of the morning hours when you feel more irritable to work on the most important projects and leave calls or virtual meetings for the afternoon.»

— James Gilbert

10. Focus on a distraction
There is a popular saying that goes: "If you want something done, ask a busy person."

It's strange, but one of the rules of productivity is that the busier you are, the more productive you are. It's like Newton's law of inertia: every body in motion tends to stay in motion. If you don't move, you'll stay that way. Busy people move so much that they always have the motivation to complete any task that comes their way.

Unfortunately, it's hard to find tasks that help you reach that level of productivity when you're working from home. Your motivation can change from moment to moment. Pam Vaugham, director of marketing at HubSpot, recommends focusing on one activity that allows you to maintain a certain rhythm. In her case, it's her daughter.

«When I work from home, I am with my 20-month-old daughter. This seems like a disadvantage, but since I have to take care of her and keep her entertained while I do my work, this pressure helps me stay focused. When she is taking a nap or is busy with something, I become the most productive person in the world.

This explains why some people work better when they have busy schedules: you learn to manage your time really effectively. The “distraction” that my daughter represents prevents me from distracting myself with other household chores, such as doing laundry, watching television or cleaning. Otherwise, I would never finish my work.

— Pamela Vaughan

11. Plan your tasks in advance
Spending too much time figuring out what you'll do during the day can prevent you from actually completing those tasks. Plus, if you plan your to-do list with so little time, you might be tempted to change something on the fly.

Modifying what you need in your schedule is important, but it is also important to stick to the activities scheduled for the day. Try to record tasks in your schedule the day before. This will make them more important when you get down to work the next day. You will even know when during the day you can take an active break.

“If I plan to work from home, I make sure to complete all tasks that I can only do from the office. For example, if I’m on a task that would be much easier to complete on a larger monitor than the one at home, or if I need to schedule face-to-face meetings with colleagues. Plan your week ahead of time to optimize each work environment.”

— Niti Shah

12. Use technology to stay connected
Working from home can help you focus on your work in the short term, but it can also make you feel detached from what's happening in the office. Messaging apps and video conferencing tools can help you stay connected with your colleagues and appreciate how it impacts your work.

«Part of what enables us to work more from home today is the variety of apps and tools designed to help bridge the gap between team members. Finding the right tools to stay connected with your team is important for staying productive at home.

At HubSpot, we use Slack to host remote conversations, Trello to organize priorities, and Google Hangouts plus Webex to improve productivity in our remote meetings. Having the right set of tools for your business really makes a huge difference.”

— Meghan Keaney Anderson

13. Listen to music that matches your tasks
During the week, music is your emotional companion, and at work the best music playlists are those that accompany the energy of each project you work on. Video game soundtracks are great for this. In games, this instrumental music is designed to help you stay focused and combat the discomfort associated with pains like migraines; it makes sense that it would also help you in your work.

Want some recommendations? Check out Ginny Mineo's music preferences below.

“When I’m checking my email, I need to listen to something intense and catchy like Nicki Minaj or Miley Cyrus, but when I’m writing, Tom Petty does the magic. Discovering the kind of music that motivates me to get things done has totally changed my productivity when working from home.”

— Ginny Mineo

14. Use laundry time to time your chores
You may have heard that listening to two or three songs in the shower can help you save water. It's true. Listening to a few full songs reminds you of how long you've been in the bathroom.

The same principle can help you stay focused on a task when you work from home, but instead of playing three songs on your playlist, put on laundry.

Doing laundry will act as a timer. Use the laundry time to complete your to-do list. Trying to finish one task during the wash cycle and another task during the drying cycle can help you improve efficiency when dealing with tasks that could technically take you an entire day.

“It was mentioned earlier, but getting up early and getting started before everyone else comes online works for me. I often do laundry when I work from home and set short goals that correspond with the wash cycles. If I’m working on an item, I’ll aim to get to a certain point before the wash cycle ends. Then I’ll set another goal for the drying cycle.”

— Emma Brudner

15. Talk about what you hope to achieve with someone who is at home with you
You may be working from home, but you have company. Make sure your coworkers, siblings, parents, partners, and even pets (okay, maybe not pets) respect your space during work hours. Just because you're working from home doesn't mean you're actually home.

“If you are not home alone while working, you should make it clear that when you are in your “office” (in my case, the signal to my family is to have headphones on) you are working, even if it seems like you are just hanging out. It is very easy to get distracted by household chores.”

— Sam Mallikarjunan

16. Take a break
It's so easy to get distracted when you're working from home that it can be tempting to never take a break to avoid this situation. Don't let the guilt of working from the comfort of your home keep you from taking short breaks. Even at home, you can suffer from work-related stress. Instead of just opening YouTube and watching some videos, use your breaks to get away from your desk. Go for a walk or spend some time with whoever is with you at home. Your posture will thank you.

That said, avoid procrastinating as much as possible.

«Taking a break to cook or eat lunch can help you recharge and improve your productivity. Don't feel like you have to work all the time you're at home to be more productive.»

— Ginny Mineo

17. Interact with other people
You're working from home, not from the Moon. Interacting with other life forms during the day is allowed, even if they're not coworkers. In fact, it's an excellent idea to see other people during the day when you're spending so much time alone.

Remember that working from home doesn't mean you don't have alternatives to interact or socialize with other people. Knowing how to take advantage of remote access with your organization and interact will change your productivity at home and help you stay in constant contact with whoever you need.

«Go out and talk to someone – order a coffee at a bar, run an errand, whatever. It will help you keep your sanity.»

— Corey Wainwright

18. Prepare your meals the night before
When you're at home, it can be tempting to spend time preparing a nice breakfast or lunch, with all that entails. Don't waste valuable time preparing the day's meal: cook the day before.

Cooking ahead of time ensures you have time to enjoy your meal and prevents you from wasting energy on tasks unrelated to your work. Eating well while working , whether at home or in the office, is essential. And don't forget to have healthy snacks on hand to satisfy any cravings.

“Cooking at home means you have to do something you wouldn’t have done at the office, and it can take up a lot of time. To avoid this, I try to prepare meals the night before, just like I do when I go to the office.”

— Lindsay Kolowich

19. Decide what time you will finish work each day
You might think that working from home will help you balance your work and personal life better, but be careful. Working from home can also feel like working in a casino at times: You can get so wrapped up in a task that you lose track of time . And if you do get burned out, you can't pretend you're sick to avoid going into the office.

At the office, it's your colleagues who remind you that it's time to go home. To accommodate flexible hours at home , you can set an alarm to signal the end of your workday. You don't have to stop working right then, but knowing that the workday is technically over can help you call it a day.

“If you work from home full-time (or every day), it’s very easy to blend your work life and your personal life. Separating the two is important to achieve balance.”

— Tyler Littwin

20. Work with the TV on in the background
If you are a fan of common office noises and don’t like working in silence, you can choose to turn on the TV and keep it at a low volume to avoid being distracted. If you need to experience a real office, you can search YouTube for “ Office Sounds” which will give you a great list of suggestions you can use.

«For the first two years after college, I worked from home as a freelance writer. Of all the tips, tricks, and secrets I discovered to improve my productivity at home, one stands out: playing the History Channel in the background. I kid you not. Just play that channel in the background at a low volume and I guarantee you'll get better work done. I'm not sure why this tactic works, but it probably has to do with the presence of ancient aliens.»

— Erik Devaney

21. Use a second monitor
It may seem like a basic tip, but it's sure to change the way you work today. Whether you have a desktop or laptop, an extra screen makes it easier to get more done, especially if your job involves designing or doing multiple searches and research.

During a work day, search windows accumulate, which can overwhelm you or cause your computer to work slower. If you install a second monitor, you can make multitasking easier and you will have a better organization for your work.

22. Add plants to your space
Bringing a little nature into your home workspace will not only give your eyes a fresh, vibrant color, but it can also bring benefits such as stress reduction . For example, according to some research, psychological stress can be reduced and well-being and attention span improved.

Now, if you don't want to have one more responsibility in your day, choose a plant that is easier to maintain. Remember that having plants at home also helps improve air quality.

23. Leave notices in case you require total silence
We know that working from home can be difficult. Especially when you have to take a call from a client or have a meeting with your colleagues. After all, you are at home and if you live with someone else (partner, children, roommates, family members) it is normal that noise cannot be avoided.

If you have a very important video call scheduled with a client, you can let them know a few days in advance and in the morning send them a reminder via a message to their mobile devices or even leave some notes around the house so they don't forget to make as little noise as possible.

24. Create a home office policy
You can also create a home office policy that helps you establish guidelines at home that each member must follow. Remember, if everyone maintains an organized routine, there will be less need to walk around your home looking for a quiet place or having to constantly pause to ask for noise to be reduced. Plus, if you live with more people who work from home, everyone will benefit.

25. Implement a productive routine
Our colleague Aja Frost wrote a book on working effectively from home: Work —from— Home Hacks , from which we have taken some tips to share.

A great suggestion is to establish a work routine at home focused on productivity ; for example, with strategies to communicate between teams and reach consensus that make the work flow.

«Find new communication strategies with your remote teams and colleagues; for example, determine when you will use email, when you will use a message, and when you will Zoom.»

— Aja Frost

26. Create task lists and activity hierarchy
Jeroen Sangers is a productivity expert and recommends creating to-do lists and prioritizing the activities that need to be completed during the day.

«When I make a to-do list, it is tied to my goals and responsibilities. If I write down a new task, then I must commit to doing it.»

— Jeroen Sangers

27. Tidy up your workspace at the end of the day
No matter how tired you are or how busy your day has been, it is essential that you leave everything in order in your workspace when your work day is over. We have seen how essential it is to have your own space at home; it is equally important that it is in order at the beginning of the day.

«Working in a dirty or messy place will affect your concentration and increase the chances of procrastinating. When you finish your work day, take 5 minutes to put everything in order, organize papers, collect glasses, etc.»

— Aja Frost

28. Debunk the multitasking myth
There is a tendency to think that more and more people are multitaskers, that is, they can do several activities at once; but this is false and working like this is not productive. According to the neuroproductivity specialist, Miquel Nadal , switching from one task to another is exhausting for the brain, so it is best to focus on a single task until it is finished.

«It is important to do tasks one by one, multitasking is not a good idea when you want to work productively.»

— Miquel Nadal

29. Have everything at hand
Order will always be productive. A person can waste a lot of time looking for documents, a notebook, a pen, a contact that they can't find, and in the process of searching they open the door to more distractions.

«Create a personal system to find what you need, when you need it. You can sort your papers alphabetically or by date, by document type, importance, by action they require, etc.»

— Aja Frost

30. Connect your actions with your objectives and goals
Working from home requires a proper perspective and not forgetting your objectives and goals. It will help you to recognize that if a task does not help you achieve a goal, you do not need to do it.