I have worked for years in an office setting and I just recently got the privilege of working remotely. I now have to learn tricks on how to keep focus when working from home. It has not been the easiest transition, but I am blessed to have the opportunity.
For a long story short, I am working from home due to some prescribed bed rest during my pregnancy. Even during the period of quarantine, for everyone else, I still went into the office. I have never gotten this stay-at-home experience until now.
I may be a little late to the experience, but I have learned some new tricks to the trade. As with everything in life there are pros and cons to working from home, but I think I could get accustomed to this long term.
I am working from home due to a health problem, so my reasons may be different from other people’s. I won’t get into how bed side affects my work, but my reasons will be centered around remote work.
Keep a Schedule
The most important part of your work day, is to plan out your day. I spent my first week, starting out the day just going from task to task.
At first it goes well, until the middle of the day. I start to slow my pace and scratching my head for the next thing to do for work.
Instead I start my day by mapping out an order of projects or to dos, so there is a flow to my day. I can also look at my list and know easily what comes next. It is easier to do this first thing in the morning when I am fresh and not mentally fried. Here are other ways to start your morning!
I just follow my outline and my day goes smoother. I hate to end the day, and know I haven’t done enough day for the day. I want to know that I have accomplished the necessary projects at work.
Break up Your Day
I don’t just set a schedule for my work day, but I add in home tasks to my list. I have a hard time being at home and not doing a few things around the house.
It is nice to know that while working at home I can prep dinner or do the laundry for the week. I might as well multitask while at home.
When working from the office, I always have thoughts going through my head, such as:
- could I pay a bill
- register for something on my agenda
- or plan ahead such as vacations or meals for the week.
I have always wanted to multitask, so working at home has given me this ability. When I have down time, I flip the laundry or load the dishwasher. This is the same time frame at the office that you would head to the break room for a cup of coffee or chat with your cube mate on a break.
I just use my time in different ways now. And now when dinner is ready, I am not worried about everything else I should do later that night, because it is all done!
Time Management
We have discussed keeping a schedule and breaking up your day to stay focused, but time management is very important. I know when my meals and breaks are during the day to know how long I have per project.
I have very project focused while working. Everyone’s job may be different, but I like to know this “x-project” will take me about 2 hours to complete. I block that out in my day and after 2 hours determine where I am at. If I am past 2 hours, where did I go wrong? Do I need to plan for more time or am I not being efficient with my work?
This may look a lot like schedule planning, but when I know at the beginning of the day I have so many projects than I will stay on track. Instead of just bouncing around, I can focus on what I planned for and the time it should take.
Good Breaks to Keep Focus When Working From Home
I love taking productive breaks, but not everyone may look forward to house work like I do. Instead take breaks that you will actually want to do.
Plan a stretch time and put it on your work calendar. This way it will appear to you everyday and you can enjoy it. In the office, we had a 2 pm stretch break, and everyone would pop up at the same time. At first I thought everyone was nuts. Pretty soon I was enjoying the stretch break and looking forward to the pick me up.
You can have different breaks to keep you focused. A mailbox check in the afternoon could get you excited and also up and moving. I may be the only one who gets excited about this, but I do like mail time!
Snacks can be a break time, but be careful you don’t have too many of these. We don’t want to create bad habits and sit around all day and eat ourselves crazy.
Your Own Office Space
You should always have your own work space. A designated place where everything is laid out and no one hopefully disturbs it.
I have a bad habit of taking up the corner of a couch and an end table. Normally I would use my desk but my bed rest has put me on the couch. Personally, I am more comfortable here and it keeps me motivated.
You just do what works for you. At the end of the day, I do pick everything up and put it on my desk. I do this to ensure nothing is lost with the family around.
At my desk though I have everything that I would have in my cubicle at work. My printer, my files and anything else I would need. Make your space comfortable for you.
I also like everything within reach. If I have to search for items then it puts a negative effect on my day. I have to be careful, my daughter is usually the one stealing my “cool gadgets” at my desk. I have to keep on eye on her.
Along with your own office space, I recommend staying organized. This will help to keep focus when working from home. You can bee line where to go for work and start your day easily.
Do What You Love to Keep Focus when Working From Home
Working from home is not easy. It not for the weak. You have to concentrate and stay on top of your own work.
Working from home is different than going into an office and clocking in and out. In an office space, your boss and coworkers can check up on you more often which leads to you staying on track.
This is why I get to my final point of you better love what you do! There is no sense clocking in and out of a job each day when you dread it. If you don’t enjoy getting up and opening that computer than you should probably think twice.
Remember, you work to live not live to work. Enjoy what you are doing or change career paths. Anyone can learn a new skill or start over. It can be intimidating at first, but don’t give up.
Please find a passion for what you love and pursue it! Make your own mark in this world and be proud of your work.
If you have a career you love than it won’t be hard to keep focus when working from home.
I believe in you and it will get easier. Now go sit down at your couch and work away!
