When you’re working from home as a blogger, it can be a little challenging to stay productive. It doesn’t matter how much you love what you’re writing about-remote life comes with plenty of distractions! From TV, phone calls and regular home related to-do lists, it is so hard to stay focused. Especially if you don’t live alone. My house is jam packed with other people and pets. Someone and/or something is always vying for my attention.
If you work from home and have trouble focusing, here are a few handy tips to keep you on task.
1. Claim your work area
When you’re working from home, and you live with many other people like I do, I strongly suggest you have an office or at the very least, a space in your home that is dedicated to working. Just like the kitchen is for eating and the bedroom is for sleeping, your workspace is for working. It is important to make those boundaries for others and for yourself.
Institute a rule that says unless really important, when you are in your office space, you are working and should not be disturbed. This area should also be a TV and phone free area as well. Eliminate as many distractions as possible. If you don’t have an office where you are able to shut the door, consider investing in noise cancelling headphones. Personally, I need total quiet to write and if you do too, these will help you immensely.
When you work away from home, the drive to work is usually how you transition from me time to work time. When you work at home, you must create that transition to get yourself in the proper mindset to work. And the easiest way to do that is to have a space dedicated to work.
2 . Beautify your space
Now that you have a space for work, it is time to make it a place you want to spend time in. You’ve got to beautify your space as much as you can.
- Invest in a few plants to rid the air of toxins plus boost your endorphin levels.
- Hang up some artwork featuring some motivational quotes to get you all good and inspired.
- Give your working area a nice lick of paint and focus on bright colours to inspire creativity.
The aesthetics of our working environments can either motivate us or spoil our flow. With a beautiful working space, you’ll have more chance of producing your best work.
3. Go Ergonomic
Ensure that you get yourself a good ergonomic chair for your workspace. Ergonomic furniture is designed with the ultimate level of comfort in mind, and one of these chairs will protect your spine at the same time. When you’re sitting down for long periods, an ergonomic chair is essential. When you take breaks, ensure that you have a good stretch to ease the pressure on your muscles.
You can even look into a desk that lifts up to a standing position so that you don’t have to sit all the time. If you have a craft or DIY blog, this kind of desk is especially handy. It saves you from needing a separate work space to create plus keeps your laptop or computer within reach.
4. Creative breaks
When you’re working remotely, it’s essential to get creative with your breaks. If you worked at a regular office job you don’t sit at your desk on your break. You may go to the lunch room or go outside.
Similarly, when you work from home, don’t be tempted to just sit at your desk or on the sofa and scroll through your phone. Instead, choose an activity that’s calming or will give you a little energy. Try going for a walk or attending a brief exercise class (if you’re close to the gym).
Other things you can do include using a meditation app or writing some positive reflections in a journal. Using your breaks to do calming practices can help you to unwind and fully relax before getting back to your work. You’ll increase your productivity if you make the most of your breaks.
5. Declutter
It’s essential to have a decluttered space before you can get some good work done. Go through your space and get rid of all the items that you no longer use. You can sell these items or perhaps donate them to a charity organization. And at the end of every work day, clean up your workspace so that you are ready to go the next day.
When your workplace is cluttered, you’ll feel demotivated and find it hard to focus. It can also be useful to declutter your space if you’re planning a relocation. Many bloggers find it handy to relocate to a rented office space, to enhance their productivity.
Lastly, when it comes to working from home, there’s no one fits all solution. You’ll need to trial and error a few solutions to produce your best work. Like with any job, they’ll be good days and bad days. Focus on the positive days and give yourself lots of praise for the creative work that you do produce. Keep writing and keep reading as much as you can, as doing so will help you to improve your concentration and your writing.
