Managing Distractions When Working From Home

With many people working from home, we know that it can be a challenge when faced with the many distractions that come with being in your home environment. But with a solid plan, you can overcome those distractions and take control of your day. Here’s how…

It’s a New Day
Getting dressed and prepared to work is one of the best ways to get your head in gear and ready for the working day ahead. You don’t need to put on your jeans or formal work clothes, but changing out of your pyjamas is a must. This simple change can help your transition to work mode at home.

Own Your Time
Managing your time by blocking out set tasks and having a schedule for your day is another excellent way to keep you on track and be as productive as possible. Having a set schedule and routine, preferably the same as your working day in the office, will help you stay focused as it replicates your original working week.

Organisation
An easy way to stay organised is to have a to-do list of all your tasks for the day or even the week. This applies for both working at home and in the office, as prioritising tasks and having an estimated time each task will take, will make staying on top of your workload a breeze.

Space for Productivity
Create an office environment to keep that feeling of a clear distinction between work and home life. Working from the comfort of your sofa doesn’t count. Try to find a space you designate as your home office, preferably with a door to separate yourself from distractions to help give the feeling of being in the office.  

What’s for Lunch
Plan and prepare meals ahead of time, as they can become distractions that you never knew were taking so much time away from your work. Choosing what to have for lunch and then making it can sometimes be a lengthy process. However, if you prepare your food for the next day ahead of time, you’ll find yourself saving a lot of time during your working day and therefore being more productive.

Stay Active
We all know that feeling during the day when you can’t entirely focus on work, but stepping outside into the fresh air and surrounding yourself with nature not only gives you a well-deserved break but also clears your mind and helps you come back to work with fresh eyes. It’s thought that 20 minutes in the open air gives your brain an energy boost equal to one cup of coffee. So next time you can’t focus at work, go outside for a breath of fresh air and see what happens.

Set the Tone
To help stay focused and ignore home distractions, try playing some background music during the working day. This can be anything from your favourite album to music that you only listen to while at work; either way, find what works for you. Listening to music while working can also help your mental well-being and help you be less stressed. This means you will be happier while working and therefore produce better work.

Do Not Disturb
Turn your personal phone to silent to avoid the temptation of checking social media, replying to texts from friends or anything else not related to work. For some, your phone may be one of your biggest distractions, so if you don’t need your phone for work, simply put it on silent and leave it in another room.

Know Your Distractions
Knowing what pulls you away from work is essential to be able to have a productive day. Try to push any distractions or triggers away so you can have a clear head before you settle down to work.