Most of us have a work routine that helps us focus and stay productive. Maybe the commute wakes you up or you look forward to getting lunch with coworkers. Now, work from home orders are changing our worlds rapidly.
Working remotely can be great, but it can also bring in a lot of changes. It’s difficult to be productive when you’re used to relaxing while home. At the same time, you’ve gained at least an hour in your day without your commute, making it easier to get more done.
These tips will help you take advantage of your time at home. So, amp up your workload and accomplish everything you wished you had more time for.
+ Plan your routine
Even if you aren’t the type of person to schedule out your day, your routine had a significant influence on what made you productive or not once clocked in. It’s tempting to freestyle your work outside of meetings and group calls, but the lack of routine could tank your focus.
Use your free time to plan your new work schedule. Set specific hours for your day, plus a lunch break. Afterward, you can isolate that extra hour you want to use and dedicate it to focused work only. Use the other hours of your day for phone calls, inbox sorting and any other tasks that don’t demand your full attention.
+ Fuel your body
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Even if it’s tempting to bake bread and desserts for every meal, remember to fuel your body with good food to use your extra hour productively.
The next time you order groceries through a delivery or pickup service, choose unprocessed foods like whole grains, meat and protein-based snacks. Anything high in sugar or sodium counts as junk food and will only ruin your energy by the time your extra hour begins.
+Cheer yourself on
In an office setting, you have other people working around you and collaborating every day. They cheer you on, but it’s harder to do so from a distance. While you work from home, cheer yourself on with connecting with your coworkers via technology and setting positive goals.
+Decrease your stress levels
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Stress makes it hard to focus on the present, especially if you’re in a time crunch. You can always take care of your health by lowering stress with purposeful habits. Talk with an online counselor, try a new exercise routine or practice deep breathing to relax and focus during your hour of extra work.
+Set a timer
It isn’t always easy for everyone to jump into work, especially for an entire hour. Setting a timer can help, especially if you use the ‘Pomodoro’ technique. It’s a practice where you work for 25 minutes without stopping, then enjoy a five-minute break. You can repeat as necessary throughout the day to engage in deep work mindsets that result in better focus.
Reflect on your productivity needs
Your needs will help you figure out what will make your extra hour productive. Eat better food, motivate yourself and learn how to handle stress to use your extra hour to help your workload.
AUTHOR: KACEY BRADLEY
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Guides for Brides, Hotel Online and more!
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