10 Tips to Improve Focus While Working from Home

Working from home is a fantastic solution to long commutes and difficulties with work-life balances, but it comes with its own set of problems. Many remote workers find it difficult to focus when they are surrounded by their personal possessions. 

Whether you are isolating from the pandemic or starting a work-from-home career, we have the list for you. Here are 10 tips to improve your focus while working from home.

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  Have a dedicated workspace 

Set up a home office so you can focus on your work. You’ll be more engaged and feel like you have switched from home life to work life. Creating a workspace will improve your posture, too, which will help you concentrate. 

If you don’t have an office and you work in your living room, be sure to put all your work stuff away as soon as you are done working. Putting your laptop, power cords, and other accessories out of sight will help to separate your work life from your home life. When it’s time to work, you can focus.

• Keep your home office clean

Keeping your workspace clean will free it of distractions and improve your mental health. So, make tidying up a daily habit. 

Stay organized and don’t leave any dirty dishes out. Food will spoil, causing a bad smell and putting your home at risk of getting pests, like ants or mice. Pest control Toronto professionals recommend that you keep all your surfaces free of crumbs and food. 

• Dress for the occasion

Daily rituals are important for mental health. Washing up and getting dressed before you begin the workday will provide you with structure and put you in the business mindset. You might also feel a lot more confident. Leave the pajamas for after work. 

• Have plants in the office – real or fake!

Studies have shown that plants improve mood and morale, which increase productivity and focus. Find a spot in your office where you will see the plant often and put it there. Choose an easy-going plant like a golden pothos or snake plant. 

If you’re not sure how to take care of a plant, or if you don’t have a window in your office, get one that is artificial. Real of fake, plants have a positive effect on our wellbeing. They help us feel calmer, more relaxed, and more focused. 

• Figure out your schedule

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Everyone is different. Consider when you are most productive and complete your most difficult tasks during this period. Schedule the easy stuff for when you have more trouble focusing and schedule your lunch break when it is most convenient.

• Limit distractions

Distractions are inevitable, but you can make an effort to reduce them as much as possible. Don’t put on a TV show or a podcast and keep your phone out of sight so you don’t get on social media. If you can’t work without your phone, set timers to remind yourself that it is time to focus. 

• Go for walks

Walking is incredible for both mental and physical health. Give yourself 30 minutes a day to go for a walk, whether it be in the morning, at lunch, or after work. This routine will help to clear your head and prioritize. 

• Automate whatever you can

 

Create a virtual assistant by setting reminders and pre-scheduling emails. Use your calendar and email client to the fullest. Schedule and automate your instant messaging systems so that you are not disturbed during meetings or your time off. You can also install some helpful software that can proofread your work or find errors in your code. 

• Set boundaries

Family, friends, and roommates can pose a serious distraction. Let them know that you are busy during work hours and refrain from hanging out with them while you should be working. Mixing your personal life with your work life is taxing on your mental health and productivity.

• Get organized

Working from home means that you are responsible for creating the structure you need. It’s hard, but you can do it. Getting organized will not only ensure that you get your work done on time, but help you prioritize and think ahead. 

Think of all the tools you used to use in school and try bringing them back. Calendars, agendas, post-it notes, notebooks, and whiteboards with colored markers are excellent tools that can help you stay on track so you can focus better.