Working from home can present some challenges, and easily becoming distracted is one of them. From the data collected by our recently released Remote Work Playbook, we found a very strong correlation between being distracted at home and productivity.
Below is an example of some customer trends that show that correlation. From this graph, we can see that people who experience distractions significantly more at home than work, their productivity at home vs work is significantly less.
To help minimise distractions while working at home and keep productivity levels up, we have compiled a list of tips for you to try out for yourself.
Designate a workspace
Working on the couch in front of the T.V? Or an area with high foot traffic? Not having a dedicated space for work is inviting distractions. I doesn't have to be a full-blown office, just an area similar to your desk at work will be fine (which most likely doesn't have the T.V with Netflix playing on it all day). Having an area where you can focus on work while at home will limit your distractions.
Stick to your routine/schedule
Try to keep to your daily routine as much as you can, even while working from home. If you worked out in the morning before heading into the office to get ready for the day, keep doing it while working from home. You'll be ready for working at home just as you were when going into the office.
Don't overwork
Believe it or not, working from home presents a distraction that might not seem obvious: overworking. Just like sticking to your schedule to prepare for work, you should stick to your routine for winding down. With the office being at home for a lot of people, it's easy to keep working late into the night and burning out quicker. Make sure you draw a line between work time and family/your time.
Ask for help if you're struggling
With a lot of people working from home, there are some things we can't avoid. It can be especially hard for parents who need to look after kids out of school, and you should ask for help if your struggling. If you're at home with your partner, you could take turns every other day to look after the kids and give each other a break. If you're struggling to stay focused, tell your manager and work through some ways to improve productivity.
If you have any other tips or found the ones above useful, let us know on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.
