As social distancing policies begin to take effect across the globe, more and more companies are going digital, shifting their daily operations to a remote setting and allowing employees to work from home. For professionals that have never worked remotely, this change may prove to be a bit of an adjustment, especially when it comes to remaining productive and limiting at-home distractions. Luckily, at Zero Gravity Marketing, we’re work-from-home experts, and we’re here to help you maximize your workday routine.
Below, we’re sharing our best tips for increasing productivity while working from home. Let’s take a look!
1. Create a Morning Routine
Without a daily commute, it may be tempting to roll out of bed and immediately open your laptop. However, this abrupt transition can leave you feeling foggy-headed well into the afternoon. Instead, create a daily routine for yourself, allowing plenty of time to wake up, brew your morning cup of coffee, and prepare for the day.
2. Designate a Separate Space for Working
Just like it may be tempting to roll out of bed and begin working, you may also want to stay in bed while you’re on the clock. And while working from bed may seem like a smart choice in terms of comfort, it can actually hinder your productivity. So, rather than cozying up under your comforter, find a spot in your home that you can dedicate to your work. Whether it’s your kitchen table or a full-fledged home office, having a space that creates a distinct line between work and leisure will help you stay focused throughout the day.
3. Write Down a List of Things You Need to Accomplish
One of the best ways to keep yourself in check while working from home is to write down all of your important tasks and goals for the day. How detailed you get is up to you – some like to schedule their to-do lists down to the hour, while others prefer a more hands-off, checklist approach. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll need to be flexible if (and when) things change. It’s crucial to be able to reprioritize as new tasks come in, as some may require immediate attention. So, don’t stress if you have to bump things around throughout the day – your task list will still serve as an effective foundation for maintaining productivity.
4. Begin with the Hardest Task
We’ve all been there – you put off a daunting task for hours or even days, only to find that it takes mere minutes to complete when you finally get to it. To avoid procrastinating on seemingly difficult projects, try to get them out of the way first thing. That way, you won’t be tempted to push them off until tomorrow (or the next day).
5. Minimize Distractions
Your home is likely full of distractions – from dirty dishes to the television and everything in between. While it’s impossible to eliminate all distractions (especially when you live with other people), it’s best to minimize as many as possible. So, turn off the TV, put in your noise-canceling headphones, and let your housemates or family know that you’re taking a few hours to focus.
6. Take Mini Breaks
While dedicating time to focused work is an effective way to ensure productivity, it’s also important to take a break here and there. Struggling to focus for too long can lead to burnout, which hinders your productivity in the long run. A quick walk outside or a five-minute stretching session can be just what you need to refresh and get back on track.
7. Utilize Apps, Reminders, and More
Productivity doesn’t have to be a one-man show – everyone can benefit from a little help sometimes. Whether you struggle with managing your productivity or not, there are a variety of useful apps available on the market today. Trello, Google Drive, and Asana are just a few of our favorites. However, you don’t need to invest in complex software to manage your time; built-in smartphone apps, like Apple’s Reminders, often do the trick.
8. Set a Hard-Cutoff Time for the End of the Day (and Stick to It!)
Without coworkers present to provide cues that it’s the end of the day (i.e., packing up and leaving the office), you may get caught up in a task and lose track of time, only to emerge from your activity hours later – and past your bedtime. To avoid this, set an alarm for the end of the workday. While you don’t have to snap your laptop shut at this exact time, the alarm can serve as a subtle nudge to begin wrapping things up. That way, you can enjoy some R&R and prepare yourself for another productive day of work.
Adjusting to the New Work-from-Home Lifestyle? ZGM Is Here to Help
Social distancing has undoubtedly changed the way we live, work, and play on a daily basis. However, we can find comfort in knowing that we’re all in this together. At ZGM, we’re doing our part by sharing our best tips and tricks for managing life (and work) at home. From adjusting your marketing strategies to staying productive while working remotely, our team of digital marketing mavens is here to offer valuable advice during this time of uncertainty.
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