Enhance your work from home productivity with these 5 tips

In today’s fast-paced world, where remote work has become increasingly prevalent, mastering the art of productivity from the comfort of your own home is essential. Transitioning seamlessly from the traditional office environment to a remote setup requires a strategic approach. In this blog, we’ll explore five practical tips to enhance your work-from-home productivity. 

1.Get into a morning routine 

Just like you would before setting off for the office, try and get into a regular morning routine. Set your alarm for the same time every day, do your morning exercise/drink your coffee/read your book, have a shower, get dressed…you know the drill. Once you’re ready, sit down in your designated wfh space and get started with your working day. This will help signal to your brain the transition from personal time to work time. 

2. Allocate a work-from-home space 

If you’re fortunate enough to have another room to work in other than your bedroom, try and use it. Ideally, this should be a quiet space with a desk away from general distractions (e.g. chatty housemates!). If you must work in your room, refrain from working in your bed despite how tempting it may be…

3. Hide your phone 

Next time you’re working from home, try leaving your phone in another room and see how much your concentration improves. It may sound silly, but research has shown that even the mere presence of your phone can reduce cognitive capacity. This is because smartphones provide our brains with an instant dopamine hit – especially when we receive a new notification – making them highly addictive. Therefore we are naturally going to choose the easy reward (e.g. checking our phone) over something that requires effort and focus for our rewards system to be triggered (e.g. completing a long task).

What if I need my phone for work?  

Obviously, we don’t recommend locking your phone away if you need to take client calls… If you don’t have a work phone then turn off the notifications on your social media apps so you are less likely to get distracted. It might also be wise to put your phone in your pocket so you only look at it when you get a call. 

4. Take breaks 

Make sure you give yourself time to go outside, stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat. When working solo it can be easy to go through the day without taking a break – especially if you have a jam-packed schedule. However, this will ultimately hinder your productivity in the long run. We need regular breaks in order to concentrate and staring at a screen all day isn’t good for anyone or anything!

5. Socialise 

Staying connected with your colleagues when working remotely is so important; not only for work purposes but also for your own wellbeing. Use the channels available to you to stay in touch (e.g. email, Slack, Teams etc) and make sure you always express if you are struggling or need support. Calling your friends on your lunch break is also a nice idea if you work from home alone – or better yet, go to a cafe or a walk together if you live locally! 

With these tips in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the challenges of remote work and maximise your productivity, while ensuring a healthy work-life balance. If you have any career-related questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our consultants on 0203 929 4000.