Creating a Productive Atmosphere While Working from Home

In countless homes across the country and the world, there has been a major shift to working from home, and for college students to enroll in more online classes. If you are working from home and are with your children or other family members, you may be at a loss when it comes to ensuring productivity. With a television across the room and no boss hovering, distraction comes easily.  Here are some tips to create a space that enables productivity!

1. Light up your space!

Letting in as much natural light as possible to your at-home work space is the first step to making a better place to get things done. Your body works best with natural light because of circadian rhythms, which tell your brain to be awake and productive when natural light is around you. Natural light will help you feel alert and the vitamin D you will get from opening those windows will help boost your immune system.

2. Add minimalist decor!

You don’t want to crowd your work space, but it is important to decorate your space in a way that you will enjoy. Having a clean, organized space with a few quirks that will make you smile – like a favorite photo.  Make sure any items you will need, like pens and highlighters, are within reach, so you are more motivated to stay put!

3. Make your work space only a work space.

It is important to train your brain to differentiate when it is time to work and when it is not. When we drive to work or school, it is natural for us to switch into ‘working’ mode, but when we work from home, it is hard to get into that mode. By only sitting in your work space when it is time to get things done, you will train your brain to be more productive when you are in that space.

4. Manage your cell phone use.

While you may need your phone to make work calls or check in with your teacher, it is important to set boundaries and stick to them. If you find yourself constantly wanting to scroll through social media instead of getting work done, try download an app that will limit your social media access each hour. If you don’t need your phone for work or school, try keeping it in a box across the room.

5.  Set a timer.

If you’re trying to juggle accomplishing work and personal tasks, set your timer and stay on task until the time is up.  Then, set the timer again to limit your minutes on personal tasks and breaks.  You will welcome the frequent breaks, and be more productive with concentrated and un-interrupted work time.

 

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