How to Stay Productive While Working from Home

The novel coronavirus has forced many of us to work from home. Thanks to technology, we are able to work and communicate with people across the world. Unlike freelancers, for many people, working from home is a new experience. Along with immense flexibility and the relaxed atmosphere at home, distractions are bound to happen. So, how can one stay active and productive while working from home? Here are a few tips to help you make WFH easy and fun!

Block Distractions

While working in the comfort of your home, you may tend to get sidetracked from your deadlines. An easy way to meet your targets is by setting a daily schedule and following it strictly. Temporarily block sites (such as social media, shopping, or gaming sites) that rob you of your productivity time. Set dedicated time slots for all your tasks, along with breaks to work efficiently from home.  

Use Your Tv as A Second Monitor

If you’re used to working on big or multiple screens, try connecting your TV to your laptop. All you require is an HDMI cable to make the TV your desktop or second monitor. You can also use a Chromecast, Apple TV, or any other streaming device to connect your laptop wirelessly.

Stay in Control of Your To-Dos

If you find it difficult to keep track of all your tasks, add them to Google Calendar. That way you can stay on top of all your to-dos and priorities along with due dates in one place. Should you feel tempted to binge-watch a web series in between work, you can quickly check all your tasks at a glance to know which one has to be completed and when.

Optimize Your Video Call Experience

When attending video calls use headphones with a microphone if you have one. This will cut any background noise in your home. You can also use apps that allow you to mute background sound to have a non-intrusive video chat. While using your headphones, pay attention to where your mic is and so you can ensure it isn’t rubbing against any surface and producing sounds that others on the call may be able to hear.

Know when To Stop Working

Without the visual cue of watching your colleagues leave for the day, there is a possibility that you might stretch your work hours. You can either use smart lights that automatically brighten and dim along with the sun or sit in a room where you can get natural light. When it starts to get dark outside, you can use that as a visual cue to begin preparing to shut shop for the day.