How to Stay Focused When Working From Home
Since 2012, the number of Americans working from home (all or some of the time) has risen by four percent.
This is consistent with the continued importance of cloud-based applications to the modern business; the majority of office-based workers can simply access their files and systems wherever they have an internet connection. Actually commuting to an office is no longer as integral as it once was, and offers businesses one key benefit: fewer in-house staff translates to lower overheads, freeing funds for further investment elsewhere.
However, as convenient working from home is, actually staying focused can be a challenge at times. With that in mind, how can you boost your concentration and maximize your productivity?
Plan Ahead, Stay Organized
Just because you’re working at the desk in your loft or home office is no reason to let your organizational skills go to waste.
It’s easy to lose track of things when you’re away from the office, without a supervisor or line manager supplying you with tasks in person and looking over your shoulder. Create to-do lists, either digitally or on paper, and focus on one thing at a time.
If you schedule one piece of work after another, you’ll have some sense of time and urgency. Completing them consecutively, without twiddling your thumbs waiting for the next project to start, will keep your focus high.
Get into a Routine
Even if your job affords you the freedom to work as and when you like (provided you get your seven or eight hours a day), get into a stable routine. If your partner or family gets up and out first thing in the morning, do the same – you’ll get into that ‘work’ mindset.
Allowing yourself to stay in bed until late will mean you end up working later on in the day, possibly affecting how much time you get to spend with your loved ones.
Cultivate a routine that makes you feel like you have to be at your desk at certain times, and you’ll find your focus easier to maintain.
Have a Designated Workspace
Unless you live in a confined apartment or house, you should be able to make room for a home office, even if this is just a small desk in a corner of your lounge. Simply working on your couch, in front of the television, can leave you feeling as if you should be relaxing, rather than putting your nose to the grindstone.
Set up a neat, uncluttered desk, and invest in a luxurious seat (such as those manufactured by Crossford Furniture): an ergonomic chair can be adjusted to suit your own body and support your weight properly. Calibrating a seat to match your height encourages proper posture, and will help you to focus without being distracted by aches and pains.
Working from home is a cost-effective, time-saving solution for employees and businesses alike. Take any steps necessary to minimize distractions and help yourself to stay focused throughout the day – you’ll see real results.