4 Tricks for Working Productively From Home

I’ve worked at home in some form or another for nearly three years.  It took some getting used to–setting my own agenda, sticking to my own deadlines, reaching out to clients when I needed clarification on a project (instead of just walking down the hall to talk to a co-worker).  But I love it.  I enjoy setting my own rules and holding myself accountable for the myriad tasks that are tossed my way.  Some people say to me, “I could never work from home; I would never get anything done!”  Well, it’s not always easy, but there are some tricks I use that help me to stay on task, keep focused, and produce excellent results.  Here are my top four:

1. Create Your Own Office

Carve out a space in your home that is meant for work, and work only.  Do not stream YouTube videos there; do not surf Facebook or Twitter.  Train yourself to go to this space, sit down, and work.  It may be difficult at first (and you might have to start in fifteen or twenty minute intervals), but after a while, you’ll get used to getting into “office mode.”

Your office can be simple–just a desk and a laptop situated in the corner of your living room–or it can be more elaborate.  Ideally, you would have an entire room that is dedicated to your work, somewhere quiet and well-lit where you can focus in peace.  And try to keep your office neat and free of clutter.  I have found that it is easier to concentrate on your work when you don’t have stacks of paper distracting you.

2.  Make To-Do Lists

This is a biggy.  At the beginning of every, single day, outline what your day will look like.  Make a list of tasks you would like to accomplish, even if some of them are a stretch.  Be sure to include all your appointments, lunch dates, etc. on the list so you can figure out how to work around them.  Remember: no item is too small!  If updating your time sheet, for instance, is something you need to do every day, include it on the list.  That way, nothing gets neglected.

Once you have your list, number your tasks in order of importance.  That will give you a sense of how you should approach your day.  If one of the tasks is large and daunting, don’t be afraid to break it up in bite-sized pieces.  For instance, I am in the thick of editing my second novel.  Instead of writing, “Edit Novel” on my list, I write something like, “Edit Chapter 2” or “Edit 20 Pages.”  That way, you can move onto other tasks without being bogged down by a monster of an assignment (and it’s easier to cross off “Edit 20 Pages” than “Edit Novel!”)

In conjunction with my daily to-do lists, I also make a long-term list that includes everything I would like to achieve in the near future.  I refer back to (and modify) this list regularly so things don’t slip through the cracks.  I also keep important deadlines on my Google Calendar.  Since I work anywhere from four to seven jobs at any given time, I’m not sure what I would do without it!

3.  Dress The Part

No one takes you seriously when you work in your pajamas, including yourself!  When you prepare for your day, incorporate “getting ready” in your morning routine.  I usually don’t wear anything terribly fancy (and certainly nothing uncomfortable), but I never work in pajamas.  Taking the time to get dressed, brush your hair and teeth, eat breakfast, etc. before starting your day is all part of getting into the aforementioned “office mode.”

4.  Take Breaks

You can’t work from sun-up to sun-down and you shouldn’t!  Allow yourself to take breaks during the day, but be in control.  Don’t, for instance, sit in front of the television with the intention of watching one episode of House of Cards. You know what can happen.  One episode leads to another, leads to another, and soon three hours have crept by.  Instead, get out of your chair and walk the dog.  Or do the dishes.  Or take out the trash.  Maybe call your mother or check social media for a while (but be careful with that one too!).  Figure out how long you need to rejuvenate, and then get back to it!

If you don’t take regular, purposeful breaks throughout the day, you’ll most likely find yourself periodically checking LinkedIn or Buzzfeed while you’re sitting at your desk, trying to gather your motivation.  Tony Schwartz, CEO of the Energy Project, advises us to work in hour and a half increments.  His studies have shown that the typical worker can fully focus on a single project or task for 90 minutes before their concentration slips and their thoughts begin to wander.  At this point, he suggests going for a run or eating lunch–anything to let your body rest in a meaningful way until it is ready to take on another 90-minute work session.  While I don’t always adhere to the 90-minute cycle, I do try to work in a meaningful, focused way and then set aside quality time for breaks.  This method gives me something to work towards (a break, yay!) and helps me accomplish projects in purposeful, bite-sized pieces.

What are some of the methods you’ve used to get work done at home?  I would love to hear your tricks and tips.

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Happy working,
Kate

Author: KateBitters

Kate Bitters is a Minneapolis-based author and freelance writer. She is the author of Elmer Left, Ten Thousand Lines, and He Found Me. One of her proudest/nerdiest moments was when Neil Gaiman read one of her short stories on stage at the Fitzgerald Theater.