Working from home can cause many distractions. Whether you’re telecommuting or remote learning via Zoom, boost your productivity at home with these five expert tips.
Look, we get it -- with amazing sheets and soft duvets like ours, it can be tempting to hit snooze a couple of times. But on those days when you just can't get out of bed, it can be hard to find motivation. Here are our best tips to stay energized and increase your productivity while #WFH (working from home), whether your nine-to-five has gone remote or your classes have been moved online for now.
WORK IN INTERVALS
Studies have shown that working in shorter bursts with small breaks in between allows for greater productivity and concentration. The pioneer of this interval “life hack,” known as the Pomodoro Method, suggests a five-minute break for every 25 minutes of work, but this method can be adjusted based on your preferences. Set a timer for a specific interval that feels right for you -- depending on your daily schedule and your workload, this could be anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes. You’ll feel more motivated to get things done while the timer is still ticking, and once it goes off, allow yourself to take a well-earned break. This can be between 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your productivity goals for the day.
Make a clear distinction between work and “play” by doing something you enjoy during your breaks, such as chatting with a friend or family member (about non-work-related topics!), making yourself a nice meal or snack, or sneaking in a quick scroll through Instagram.
When your break is over, reset your work timer and crank out your tasks until your next break. This will make the day go by much faster and will encourage you to get up from your desk between working intervals, to stretch and move and rest your eyes for a bit. By the time 5 PM rolls around, you’ll still have plenty of energy and you will feel much better about the tasks you’ve accomplished.
WRITE IT ALL DOWN
Keeping track of your responsibilities and commitments allows greater clarity of your purpose each day, and allows you to work more efficiently. Tools such as Google Calendar allow you to plot out your days in an interactive calendar, with color coding, event notifications and email invites. You can even create separate calendars within your account to track your work assignments, social commitments, birthdays and special events, and more!
If you prefer a handwritten calendar or planner, look for a nicely-bound one with a durable outside cover for on-the-go convenience. This MUJI planner is simple and affordable, with a minimal design yet ample space for planning out each day, hour by hour (it’s even made out of recycled paper). Some of the best planners have space for to-do lists, daily tasks and a monthly overview calendar -- and fun bonus features! This one from Simplified by Emily Ley includes stickers, note pages, meal planning space, and more! And if you’re choosy about what you need or want in a planner, why not build your own? Plum Paper and Agendio offer reasonable prices for their highly customizable planners, where you can personalize everything from the cover design to the layouts inside and beyond.
KEEP YOUR SPACE SIMPLE
For better focus and concentration, create a designated area for work and work only (aka, a “work oasis”). Having a separate area for productivity creates a clear boundary between work and play, so you can get into the right mindset for productivity right away. Your work oasis can be an office or extra room in the house, or a desk tucked into a quiet corner with limited distractions. If you’re tight on space or want a cozy nook to tuck away your workspace on the weekends, consider a closet workspace. This round-up of 40 closet office ideas can be inspiring for a weekend DIY project!
Ask any productivity expert and they will tell you that minimalism is a key factor in a successful work session. It can be tempting to load up your online shopping cart with decor and accessories for your workspace, but try to limit what you keep on your desk. Pick a few decor items for your workspace -- such as a sentimental framed photo, stylish pencil cup or desk tray, and a print of your favorite art piece or motivational quote.
STICK TO A ROUTINE
Routine is an important part of every work day, and yours should start the moment you wake up. Wake up with at least an hour of time before your work or classes start, so you can begin your morning with quiet time to yourself. If possible, try to sneak in a few minutes of yoga or meditation to slowly wake up your mind and body. If that’s not your thing, enjoy a nice cup of coffee on your porch, or take time to plan out your day and write down your goals. Make a habit of crossing one major item off of your to-do list every morning before checking your email; our inboxes are always pinging and serving as a source of distraction during the workday, and can steer us away from our personal goals.
Incorporate these repeated habits into your daily schedule for a boost in productivity, energy and happiness. As productivity author Travis Bradberry wrote in an article for Entrepreneur, “The right morning routine can make your day, every day.”
GET YOUR BEAUTY REST
The key to a productive day of work is a good night’s sleep the night before. The Sleep Foundation states that the average adult needs 7 to 9 hours of shut-eye every night for the best productivity, and the best way to prepare for sleep is by creating the perfect bedroom atmosphere. Dim or natural lights and soft colors create a peaceful space to sleep, while a bed full of soft linens and blankets is inviting for a long snooze.
Wake up well-rested by selecting the best bedding sets and linens that prioritize your comfort. Feather & Stitch New York has a wide range of luxurious, high-quality bedding made from 100% cotton to keep you cozy and cool throughout the night. With high thread counts and elegant details that match your home, these affordable duvet cover sets and sheet sets will elevate your home at a much lower cost than other brands.
