What day is it? Productivity tips to keep you focused and on task.
In the past year, CoVid has left many of us working from home instead of our usual business environment. For those who haven’t worked from home in the past, it can be a struggle to adjust. But, there are many ways to modify your daily routine that can help improve productivity.
Starting your day.
One of the best things you can do to jumpstart your day is to simply get dressed. When working at home, it’s easy to want to stay in comfortable pajamas all day. However, it can lead to feeling lazy or sluggish. Putting on clothes in the morning tells your brain that it is time to get out of bed and get moving.
Forbes explains that, “A work from home outfit can still be comfortable, but the act of changing into your day-clothes will help you remind yourself that it is time for work.”
By no means do you have to get all dressed up or do a full face of makeup, but it helps to wear something that makes you feel more polished. Not only will this change promote constructive work time, but it also allows you to be prepared for any impromptu Zoom meetings or Facetimes throughout the day.
Creating a workspace.
Having a separate workspace will also be extremely beneficial.
Multiple studies done by Harvard medical students have proven that,
“Keeping computers, TVs, and work materials out of the room will strengthen the mental association between your bedroom and sleep.”
Dividing your work and bed will ensure a better night’s sleep and give you more energy during the workday. Therefore, it is helpful to designate an area for work: such as a different room in your home or simply a desk that’s set aside. This separation will remind you that when you’re in that area, you’re there to get work done.
BEING CREATIVE, STRATEGIC, AND SIMPLY PRESENT AND LOVING DON’T REQUIRE TIME- THEY REQUIRE SPACE.
DAVID ALLEN
Establishing a schedule.
The most important part of having an efficient workday is to have a schedule. It allows us to stay on track and block out the distractions that constantly grab our attention. Set a specific time that you plan on starting and stopping work. Also, plan breaks away from your desk for lunch or to rest, but be careful to not get sucked into home projects or kid’s demands.
If you need to, set a timer for these breaks throughout the day. I track my day by using the free app TopTracker. The app helps me segment my time and lets me know what my time is going towards. I even track the inefficiencies in my day such as a half-hour spent on Pinterest planning kitchen remodels. Interruptions will happen throughout your day, but by tracking them, the goal is to be aware that they occur and improve how frequently.
Organizing your thoughts.
The highly acclaimed book Getting Things Done recommends starting your day off with a mental download of all the things you want to accomplish in your day and to break them into categories. This purge of thoughts will help you to declutter your to-do list and to keep you on track. Pick the five most important things you need to get done and make those your core achievements for the day.
Create check-in points throughout your day to get these main goals done. Even set a pleasant alarm. If you are a really unfocused person, set it every hour. It’s used as a cue for you to see if what you are working on is part of your core achievements. At a minimum, set it for 2:30 pm to see if you have accomplished your top 5. If not, try to find a second wind to knock them out.
You can keep your tasks digitally organized with a simple project manager or create your own with Evernote, GoogleSheets, or my personal favorite Smartsheets. These are simple task managers to help you build client checklists and workflows to maximize performance.
As far as long term goals, many people find the Eisenhower Matrix to be effective. It involves separating your tasks into four different sections and approaching them with different strategies.
Avoiding distractions
Working from home has a new set of distractions that are necessary to avoid in order to be as productive as possible. I know as well as anyone that while being at home kids, spouses, or roommates are a never-ending source of requests. However, there are ways to signify to them that unless it is important, you are “at work”. You can show this by closing the door, having a headset on, etc.
Not only can people in your household be a distraction, but social media can be as well. As someone who is constantly connected, I completely understand how fast a legitimate task can turn into aimless browsing: even on platforms like LinkedIn. Avoiding socials until after you have completed your work for the day ensures that you don’t get sucked into the internet trap.
Posture.
Something I noticed after working from home for a few weeks, is how much bad posture was affecting me. It’s a small thing that many people overlook, but over time it really does have an impact on you. Keeping your home desk as ergonomic as possible can help improve posture. I have an electric standing desk that you can purchase from Updesk, Ikea, or Wayfair. I got an ergo stool as well that allows you to rest but not fully sit from Autonomous. Also, I just started using the UprightGo2 that acts as a digital mom telling me to sit up straight. If you are looking to still save money, you can opt for a more DIY option. For example, my husband picked up a free Craigslist desk and repurposed the wood by attaching it to the wall for a taller, standing desk.
Staying in touch.
Lastly, I highly suggest staying connected with others. Being in quarantine for months on end can leave us feeling alone. So, it is important to communicate with friends and family. Facetimes or phone calls can motivate you and refresh your mental health thus preventing the feeling of isolation. Covid-19 has been stressful for many of us. Consequently, it’s great to know that we are all in it together.
Sources & References
Allen, D. (2019). Getting things done: The art of stress-free productivity. London: Piatkus.
Boyd, S. (2020, March 18). 5 Tips On Getting Dressed When You're Working From Home. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/sboyd/2020/03/16/working-from-home-outfits/
Twelve Simple Tips to Improve Your Sleep. (n.d.). Retrieved July 15, 2020, from http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/getting/overcoming/tip