The previous year has changed the way almost every business on the face of the earth operates. More and more people are using work-from-home arrangements to continue earning their bread even when they can’t go outside. According to some experts, as many as 1 out of every 4 Americans, or 39 million people, will be using work-from-home arrangements by the end of 2021.
You may want to use remote working possibilities for different reasons. For example, you could be setting up a home-based business and establishing your own enterprise from the comfort of your own residence. Or your company has chosen to sequester its employees to reduce the chances of infection. Either way, you’ll have to face the likelihood that you may not feel as motivated to perform inside your house.
Here are eight effective methods you can use to keep yourself motivated while working at home.
- Give Yourself Some Treats
Everyone deserves a break, even when you’re working from home. Working nonstop with no breaks for food or rest will only make you burn out rather than remain productive. Every hour, schedule a short break of about five minutes where you can chow down on the snack of your choice, drink clear fruit-infused water and let your mind rest before moving on to the next task.
- Schedule Yourself
Letting tasks just fall into a huge pile and picking which ones you’re going to do willy-nilly is not going to be efficient. You may feel overwhelmed and dispirited just assessing your unsorted tasks. Instead, rigorously schedule your daily activities. Tailor-fit your schedule to your personal preferences so ensure you make the most of out your productive hours, giving you the momentum to go through the day.
- Mark Out a Space
Everyone has an area where they feel the most productive. Determine which area of your house that lets you connect to these reserves of energy. Do you already have a dedicated home office or do you have to work in a semi-public area like the living room or dining room? Mark out your space carefully to ensure can work there when you need to.
- Dress Yourself
Not everyone has to telecommute to work and that could lead to you working in your pajamas or in days-old sweatpants. This can affect how you approach your work as you don’t feel as professional. If you need to work efficiently and effectively as possible, change to work attire especially if you’re having a video or teleconferencing meeting. This will make you feel like you’re at work and help you be more productive than usual.
- Connect with Coworkers
One of the best things of going to an office is connecting with work friends, some of whom you may have built genuine connections with. Working from home robes you of the opportunities to hang out with them and talk about your day, which can get you down. Arrange shared lunch times to chat and eat together, even though it’s only through video. This will help you remain engaged and foster teamwork, even over vast distances.
- Reduce Online Distraction
Unlike in the office, where your coworkers and supervisors can check on what you’re doing, there’s more leeway for you to check out distracting sites like social media platform and other sites. But if you want to finish all your tasks in time, you’ll definitely need to reduce your time on these sites. There are software that block out specific sites for a set amount of time. Explore these possibilities and watch your productivity shoot to the sky.
- Set Weekly Priorities
Everyone has different priorities and you’re no exception. If you have it, check out the list of things you need to achieve by the end of the week and determine which must be done first. Consider the time frames involved. For example, a lengthy task may not be due until the end of the week so you can schedule it farther from Monday. A short task may not take a while to complete but is due immediately, and thus must be prioritized. Find out what works best for you and your obligations.
- Try Out Different Strategies
No one’s motivational methods and practices are the same because what makes you tick is guaranteed to be different from other people. So explore which strategies help you stay motivated the most. Turning the television on can be distracting to some but necessary for others. Explore which strategies you respond to the best.
Working form the comfort of your own home is luxury for a lot of people. Making the most out of your time at home is essential to remain as productive as possible.
