Career Advice

How to be Productive When Working from Home

posted on February 25, 2015 | by Amanda Holstein

How to be Productive When Working from Home

I’d say for the most part I’m a homebody. There’s nothing better to me than curling up in my comfiest sweatpants on the couch, under a cozy blanket with my pup, and just relaxing at home. Which is why working from home can be seriously difficult. It’s tempting to stay in my pajamas all day and work from the couch with some TV on in the background, but I can tell you from experience, that’s not how you get shit done. After a few months of freelancing and working from home, I’ve figured out a few things that make my day more productive. So whether you work from home on the daily or your job allows you to stay home every once in a while, just follow these tips to make the most of your work day.

Get Dressed

First and foremost, start your day like you’re going to an office. Set your alarm, get dressed, make your bed as if you’re leaving for the day. This will not only help create structure for your day, but it will also wake you up and put you in the right state of mind to get to work.

Sit at a Desk

While I’ll admit, there are many days I take my computer straight to the couch, I find that it really helps to have a specific work space in your home. Create a space that inspires you where you can really focus with no distractions. Even if you alternate between your desk and your couch throughout the day, it helps to have a specific spot for serious work time.

Make a To-Do List the Night Before

Often times when I wake up in the morning, I feel overwhelmed with everything I have to do that day. There are so many ideas going through my head that it can be difficult to choose one and get started. Instead, I’ve started creating a to-do list at the end of each work day so that the next morning I can just use it to guide my day.

Set Aside Play Time

I get easily distracted when working from home. Instead of playing Friends on Netflix in the background or checking Facebook every other minute, I suggest setting aside time for these distractions. Work for a few hours, then reward yourself with two Friends episodes. You’ll work more productively in those few focussed hours than you would trying to multitask.

Get Out of Your Apartment

Do whatever you can to spend at least some time outside of your apartment everyday. You don’t want to get stir crazy! Whether you work for a few hours at a coffee shop or even meet a friend for lunch, getting out of the house will give you that extra energy you need. It’s also a great way to break up your schedule so you’re not sitting at your desk for eight hours straight.

What are some of your tips for working from home?