When you’re working or studying from home, it can be quite easy to lose momentum and become demotivated. We get it—it’s hard to stay focused when you’re surrounded by distractions like your bed, pets, and TV! That’s why we’ve compiled our top 5 tips for staying productive while you work or study from home.
While the idea of sitting in bed doing your work may sound great, it’ll quickly get old and you’ll realise how difficult it is to focus. Your brain associates your bed with relaxing—sleeping, Netflix, breakfast in bed—so when you’re in that environment, your subconscious is telling you that you should be chilling out. Instead of your bed or the couch, find somewhere where you can actually focus without being tempted to take a nap or watch an episode (or five!) of Friends. If possible, keep that area as a designated work/study space while working or studying from home.
This one is super important. What’s your daily routine? Do you wake up early and work out? Do you spend a while perfecting your makeup every morning? Do you walk your dog before you eat breakfast? Even though you’re not really leaving the house, keeping your routine will help prepare you for the day ahead and get you in the right mindset to conquer all your work. Wake up at your normal time, get dressed in something that makes you feel good, and uphold your morning rituals. Sure, you might need to make some adjustments—for example, if you can’t go to the gym, you could try a home workout—but overall, try to keep as close to your normal as possible.
Working or studying from home can get pretty lonely, especially if you’re used to being surrounded by classmates or colleagues everyday. Set up some FaceTime or Zoom calls with classmates or colleagues throughout the day. Not only will it hold you accountable while you work, it will also save you from going stir crazy all by yourself!
When you’re at school or work, there’s a clear line in the sand to signify the end of the day: going home at the end of the day. When you’re working or studying from home, you don’t have that same boundary. Once you’re finished working, learning, or studying for the day, make sure you log out of your work or school portals and close all work or school-related windows on your computer. This will make it easier for you to relax at the end of the day and tune back in the next morning.
This is a stressful time for everyone. It’s so important to be taking care of your health, both mental and physical. You can’t expect to work or study efficiently if you’re stressed or worried. Do one thing a day that you would consider self-care. This could be a jog outside, a face mask at the end of the day, or some Netflix in bed—whatever is going to make you feel good and help you relax.
Bonus tip: Don't forget about your built-in, at-home workmates—pets! Employees of the month, if you ask us.
