How to Be More Productive When Working from Home

Being able to work a job from your home is a reward within itself. It means you get to spend more time with your family, and you can do things you wouldn’t normally do in an office. Over time, however, if you work space isn't designed properly, it can affect your overall productivity. Below are a few tips on how you can boost productivity when working from home.

Make the Room Cozier

The first rule of thumb to boosting productivity at home is comfort. Similar to working in an office, sitting in an uncomfortable chair for hours on end can drive you crazy. Harsh lighting can make it difficult to work while a desk that’s too small can be inconvenient. There are plenty of ways to make your home office more comfortable:

• Add a fresh coat of paint
• Invest in a high-quality desk and chair
• Buy glare-reducing lighting
• Use file cabinets for improved organization
• Make the space more personable by adding flowers, pictures and other decor

If you really want to go the extra mile, you can think about renovating the room entirely. However, depending on the renovation, it can cost more than you think. To save yourself the stress of budgeting for renovations, low APR personal loans are a fantastic option to get the job done. You can easily get apply through a private lender who may offer interest rates and better repayment options as well.

Take Frequent Breaks

You may think that taking a break would disrupt the flow of your productivity. However, not doing so can have the opposite effect. Taking a 15-minute break every now and again can do wonders for your mood and productivity. Use that time to get up and stretch and gives your eyes a rest. Staring at screens all day can cause a variety of visual impairments, which include eye strain and possibly cataracts later in life. You can eat a snack, talk a brisk walk or even just stretch out on the couch. You can feel refreshed and ready to continue on with the rest of your day.

Eliminate Distractions

While distractions are a prime source of poor workflow, there are some you may not notice. Noise pollution is one of the most obvious ones. From the dog barking to alarms going off outside, these loud sounds can easily cause you to lose your concentration. You’ll need to find ways to tune them out, like wearing noise-canceling headphones. You can also relocate to another area of the house as well.

Another distraction you may not think about is your phone. You’d be amazed at how many people lose track of time because they were on their phone too long. At first, you may have had to quickly open an email or message for work. However, you also might find yourself going to other apps afterwards. The best way to avoid this distraction is to lock away your phone until your finished working. Instead, use your computer for work-related communications with email or instant messaging.