Working from home has its advantages and disadvantages. There’s no commute. You don’t have to spend money on makeup, and you may not even have to get dressed some days. There are no coworkers to bother you. Unfortunately, even if you live alone, there are plenty of interruptions that can derail your productivity. If you can eliminate distractions, you can get a lot of work done. Use a Zoom virtual office background to avoid distractions in virtual meetings. Implement methods to improve your focus.
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Knowing Your Biggest Distractions
What stops up your workflow the worst? When you identify your biggest distractions, you can work to minimize those the most. Have strategies that address the problem, so you aren’t distracted in finding a plan. If you struggle to be productive when the kids come into the office, make sure they have activities to keep from bothering you. If you can’t work when the laundry isn’t done or the kitchen isn’t clean, do your chores in the morning or before bed so you have a good day at work. Use office backgrounds to disguise your background so you aren’t distracting others in a meeting.
Time Blocking
Schedule your day in blocks. Focus on each project during the appropriate time. Plan for breaks to get the blood flow going and to handle personal business. Answer emails in the first 10 minutes of the hour and leave them alone outside of that time. Make sure to include a lunch break. Working from home should not mean that you are glued to the computer. Identify when you do meetings the best and try to schedule them accordingly. Maintaining a work schedule can help you set boundaries on your time blocking to be more productive and focused.
Having A Dedicated Workspace
When you work from home, it can save gas and wear and tear on your car, but it can also make work-life balance harder to achieve. Set up a space where you work and only work. Don’t work outside of this “office.” This can eliminate that blurred line of whether you’re at home or work. Use Zoom backgrounds to hide your office space in a meeting. You won’t have to worry about the mess or how it looks, which is its distraction. Even if you don’t have a lot of space, it can be helpful to have one place in your home that is for work and nothing else.
Managing Your Devices
If your tablet, phone, and TV are a distraction, you’re going to have to find new ways to interact with your devices to stay focused. You may need to set your phone to “do not disturb.” Some people even lock their phones in different rooms or lockboxes during blocks of time when they need to concentrate. You know how much of a challenge it is for you to stay off social media when you’re working.
Getting Enough Light
Make sure you’re comfortable when working by having lots of light. Set up your office where you can be productive. It’s not enough to avoid distractions. You need to be proactive in having the right atmosphere.
