9 Ways To Be More Productive When You Work From Home

Working from home has many advantages. You save money on a commute, you can choose to work in your pajamas, you do not have to deal with office drama and you can sometimes set your own schedule. One of the downsides, though, is the never-ending supply of distractions that come with working at your house. Some people work from home just for emergencies, while others work from home all the time as freelancers or telecommuters. Whatever your situation may be, consider the following useful tips for staying on task and being productive while working from home.

1. Put Your Phone Away

Your phone has a constant stream of things that can divert your attention. Whether it be text messages, missed phone calls, new social media updates or even a cute picture of your kid you took last night, there are plenty of distractions to be found. One of the biggest components of being productive at home is to put your phone away. Set specific times during your day to look at it so that you will be aware of any emergencies. Keep your phone in a different room if at all possible so that you will not be tempted to look at it every five seconds.

2. Set a Timer for Your Lunch Break

While it is important to still take a lunch break when working from home (no one wants to starve), it can be easy to let that lunch hour turn into two or three hours of mindless scrolling on your phone. Set a timer on your phone or computer that gives you an hour or half hour to take lunch, and get back to work when the timer goes off.

3. Take Mini Breaks

You have to take breaks when you work in an office, so it is irrational to expect that you can work nonstop at home. Schedule small breaks into your day so that you do not get burnt out on working; just be sure these breaks do not last too long.

4. Enforce Work Hours for Yourself (But Enjoy the Flexibility)

One of the great things about working from home is the ability to choose your own hours. You can maximize your peak hours by choosing to work early in the morning, middle of the day or in the middle of the night. However, be sure that you enforce work hours for yourself. There has to be a starting and stopping point so that you do not procrastinate until crunch time.

5. Get Dressed for Work

While working in your pajamas all day may seem like a dream come true, you are typically more productive when you get up and do your normal routine of brushing your teeth and hair and getting dressed. It triggers your brain to get into work mode instead of lounging mode.

6. Minimize Distractions

When you work from home, the distractions are endless. Not only do you have your phone, there are also the TV and internet to contend with. If you have other family members at home, they can become a distraction, too. Set boundaries for yourself so that you can keep work separate and get things done in a timely manner.

7. Set Smalls Goals for Yourself

Some people look at the entire project and wonder how they can ever possibly get it done. In order to not become discouraged and put off a project indefinitely, make small goals for yourself. Commit to working for an hour straight with no distractions. Congratulate yourself when you meet these small goals so that you keep a positive attitude all day.

8. Don't Be too Hard on Yourself

It can be easy to beat yourself up if you are not as productive as you would like to be one day. Remember, though, that no one is perfect, and you always have tomorrow to do better.

9. Stay Connected With Other Work From Home Friends

Working from home can become lonely, so it is important that you do not isolate yourself completely. Stay connected with other friends who are working from home via text or internet chat.

While working from home certainly presents its challenges, do not forget all the great things that a work from home schedule allows.