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Today’s question is, do you feel unproductive? We are at the one-year mark since the start of COVID-19. As a result, many of us are still working from home. And many may continue for the long-haul. Whether or not this is your preference is not typically a choice. The downside is the stress and distraction that can accompany working from the same space where you live. The questions becomes, do you feel unproductive?
There are several things you can do that will help you out of a slump. Below are some tips to help you stay focused and make the most out of your time working from home.
Do You Feel Unproductive?
Keep a Routine
One of the best ways to keep yourself productive is to maintain a routine. It can be easy to sleep late and work from your couch in pajamas, but that does not help your brain stay on task. Below is a simple morning routine to start your day off right.
5 Tips to Keep Yourself Motivated While You Work from Home
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
Setting your day up for success starts the night before. And getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself. - Exercise
Even if you only do ten minutes of stretching or light yoga, this will get your blood pumping. You will feel better all day long. - Shower and get dressed.
Obvious, but treat your morning as if you are getting ready to go into the office. - Have Breakfast.
Eating breakfast instead of skipping it supplies you with more energy throughout the day - Log in to work and outline your day.
Start your workday by reviewing your list of tasks that need to complete.
Sticking to a routine will keep you on track for the rest of the day and remove the question, do you feel unproductive?
Organize An Optimal Setup
The appropriate setup when working from home can make all the difference in the world. Try to avoid working in high traffic places, such as your kitchen or any common living areas. If possible, it is best to have a separate room or even a section of a room that can be your dedicated office space. A tip to help you eliminate any outside distractions is to have your desk facing a wall or into a corner. The location directs your focus into your workspace and away from anything else that may distract you.
Some people may opt to use a standing desk. These are considered a healthier alternative to the typical sit-down desk and offer a wide range of benefits. If you prefer to sit while you work, you may want to consider a quality office chair. A good office chair can help with your posture and minimize any back pain you may experience by sitting for long periods.
But Still, Do You Feel Unproductive?
Make Time for Work and for Play
When working from home, it can be tricky at times to maintain a sense of work-life balance. Make sure that you schedule a specific time dedicated to working. Doing so will help you keep up a sense of routine just like you would have if you were in the office. Equally important is to take regular breaks throughout your workday. Sometimes you need time away from your desk to give your mind a small break from your current tasks.
Taking breaks allows you to have a minute to refocus. Productivity will increase when you return. Some companies even allow employees to use flex time. Employees have the freedom to schedule appointments or other activities in the middle of their workday without using any vacation time. When your workday is over, confirm everything is complete that you wanted to accomplish. It can be easy to feel like you are not doing enough as you are work from home.
Make sure that at the end of the day, you close your laptop and walk away. Following all of this tips will help eliminate the question, do you feel unproductive?
Take a Mental Health Day
Sometimes walking away from work at the end of a long day isn’t enough. A mental health day is a day to yourself that is explicitly meant to aid with stress relief. It may seem strange, but mental health days are becoming more mainstream. Some companies even encourage them to keep employees focused and more productive while they work.
There is nothing wrong with taking some time to yourself to catch up on a show or a book or even do some cleaning. Whatever brings you joy and relaxation works. It is the perfect occasion to do something that may otherwise feel like a waste of your free time. Stay at home, have your favorite snacks delivered to you or binge-watch a show that has been on your list. These simple things can recharge your mind and soul and motivate you to be more productive.
Reach Out
When you still face the anguishing question, do you feel unproductive?, reach out to a family member or a good friend. Arguably most important, is to stay in touch with the people that mean the most to you. Things are tough now, and it is easy to feel separated and alone when you are spending most of your time at home. That doesn’t mean that you still can’t maintain a healthy social life. Take thirty minutes out of your day and call your mom or whoever you may not see as often as you would hope. Reaching out not only makes your day better but theirs as well.
You could even organize a zoom coffee break with some of your coworkers and have a quick catch-up session together. Reaching out and staying connected with loved ones can do wonders for your mental health. In turn, it helps you boost your motivation and productivity while you are working.
Staying productive can be challenging when you add working from home and social distancing to the mix. It becomes downright tricky. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. Staying focused and following these tips will help you maintain a sense of routine and normalcy to keep you productive during these trying times.
Related: Do You Have An Unusual Idea?
Anonymous provides today’s guest Blog Post.