5 Ways to Increase Your Productivity While Working From Home

Looking for ways to increase your productivity while working from home? Well, the mantra is to work smarter, not harder. 

A majority of us are spending a lot more time at home right now, as the offices are still contemplating the after-effects of the pandemic!

When we’d usually be reporting to our desks, we’re finding ourselves on our couches or at our kitchen tables, trying to complete to-do lists without the built-in discipline of the office.

While it has been quite some time now (nearly 10 months to be precise), we often struggle to be productive while working from home! To tell the truth, just like the art of happiness, being more productive isn’t rocket science either.

The key is to work smarter, not harder.

As the saying goes, “It’s not the number of hours you put into work, it is the amount of work you put in those hours.”

Creative ways to increase your productivity while working from home:

1. Declutter your workspace.

Whether it’s your desk where you sit and spend hours managing your office chores, or your kitchen where you find yourself preparing healthy meals for yourself & your family – it’s essential that you keep that space clutter-free.

A study has shown that people with a messy workspace are less efficient and more frustrated than those who have an organized work desk. Whenever a lot of things surround us, it’s obvious that our eyes will go there and we’ll get distracted.

Hence, it’s essential to sort the things, keep everything in place and achieve the peace of mind which is required to concentrate on our work, in order to be productive.

Dump all the unwanted things, bring in some indoor plants, put up some sticky-notes with words of motivation and you’ll automatically feel the zing to work.

2. Make a ‘Not-To-Do’ list.

All our lives, we have been focusing on the ‘To Do’ list, trying to figure out all that needs to be done. But now it’s time to look the other way!

Get started with a ‘Not To Do’ list and jot down all that you’re not supposed to do while at work (and all that hinders your productivity!).

The general idea of a ‘Not To Do’ list is not having to struggle with self-discipline. It should help you to eliminate low-value tasks and bad habits from your life so that you don’t have to weigh the pros and cons, be in a dilemma of whether or not you should make an exception, etc.

From keeping your mobile phone silent to overthinking about any task assigned to you – there are a lot of things that should be avoided for the sake of boosting concentration.

3. Listen to soothing music while working.

Off late, I have been listening to a lot of Zen Music and it helps me to focus better on my work. Often, we get distracted by the chaos around us, but plugging in the earphones to listen to some good music can be a game-changer.

A study by the University of Windsor, Canada, proved that listening to music can lead to positive mood alteration and increase the level of productivity. While the choice of music might vary, I would suggest you listen to anything without lyrics – as that might make you focus on the song more than your work! Try listening to instrumental music, as that works the best in stimulating our minds.

4. Take regular breaks while working.

Monotony hinders productivity – hence, take breaks! Set small goals for the day and once you finish a task, give some time to yourself before you pick up the next set of work.

Make a cup of coffee for yourself, water your plants, take a walk in the living room, create a doodle or anything that your heart calls for.

A 5-minutes break amidst work would not just make you feel refreshed, but it would also help you to focus better, rather than leaving your mind exhausted. Indulging in doing things that we love is the best form of small breaks that we opt for while managing our daily schedules.

5. Co-work with someone!

Although we are mostly working from our respective homes, I often co-ordinate with a friend-cum-colleague, discussing ideas with her and we keep each other updated about our progress.

This helps us to create a sense of accountability, and there’s always an exchange of motivation.

As they say, innovation rarely happens in a vacuum. You can also get in touch with someone you feel comfortable working with, and together, you can brainstorm ideas, share articles, support each others’ work, set timelines & goals, etc.

You’ll definitely enjoy your work, and soon you’ll figure out that it’s better – and easier – together.

Start with one of the above and slowly build a habit of incorporating there creative methods in your regular schedule, and you’ll enhance your productivity, automatically.

Also, don’t forget to create a space for self-reflection and meditation – as that would help you to reconnect with yourself, reducing fruitless thoughts and helping to foster some top-notch ideas.

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