Whilst working at home has many perks, the number one danger is becoming too distracted and not actually getting much work done. We’re talking about daytime TV, doing the gardening, finishing those odd jobs that have been bothering you in the kitchen, and friends calling around unannounced and offering to take you out for a coffee.
Working from home is great, but it isn’t without its challenges either.
In order to work productively from home, you need to avoid distractions. It’s not all about purchasing the most all singing, all dancing executive home office desk - you actually need to get some work done! How can you avoid distractions?
Here are a few ideas.
- Have a set working routine
- Have regular breaks
- Do not answer the door to people during your working hours (rude? Possibly; productive? Totally)
- Turn your phone to silent and avoid checking your social media accounts
- Do not turn on the TV
- Have a to do list and make sure you endeavour to complete it every day
Working from home requires buckets of self-discipline, but the more of a routine you have, the easier it will become. It also helps to set up a quality home office, with high quality home office furniture and a comfortable vibe. If this easily fits in with your regular home decor, even better. You should also think about productivity in your home office, e.g. home office storage solutions and ensuring your digital storage is always backed up.
If you can side-step the distractions, you’ll probably find that working from home is the single best way to balance a busy home and work life.
Do you work from home? Do you have any useful distraction avoidance techniques?