Top 6 Tips to Boost Your Productivity at Home

Since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, most of the workforce switched to remote work as an alternative to the traditional work setup. However, while adapting virtual offices has proven to be a quick and effective solution, some people find it difficult to focus because of distractions at home. As a result, many have experienced dips in their productivity since working remotely.

Since working at home is now a major aspect of the new normal, how do you handle common work-from-home distractions like family members, pets, and your phone? To help keep you focused, here are six helpful tips for more productive remote work.

Create a dedicated workspace.

Designating a room or space as your workstation helps divide work from home. Find a room or spot that you will dedicate only to working, such as your dining room or your living room coffee table. As long as you're comfortable and away from any disturbance, pick an area and stick to it. In that way, your mind will associate that spot with focusing and working only.

Make sure you have everything you need.

In setting up a productive workspace, check everything you need first, and keep all your necessities within arm's reach. Make sure you have all the hardware and software that you need for work. For example, online teachers should have a noise-canceling headset with a microphone, a stable Internet connection, a well-functioning laptop, and teaching aids to teach effectively. Have all the equipment and applications that you need to perform tasks efficiently.

Set a routine.

Set your routine to get specific tasks done on time. Categorize them such as work and house chores to divide and organize your day. Planning and creating routines will help you know your tasks for the day and become more at ease with what you need to do. Moreover, plotting your tasks beforehand allows you to prioritize them when you receive sudden urgent tasks. In this way, you can easily and effectively rearrange your schedule without slowing down your productivity. However, for this to work, remember that the most important part of setting a routine is to stick to it.

Keep your workspace as minimal as possible.

Visual clutter can make you feel restless and unproductive when too many things occupy your desk. So, clean up right away when it starts to get messy. Only place the items that you need on your worktable and avoid hoarding the ones that you don't. After all, it's easier to focus on your tasks if you organize the things you need. Find a space where you can arrange items, and use vertical storage for files and notebooks. Ultimately, regular cleaning and proper organization will help you achieve the most optimal workspace for yourself.

Don't forget to take a break.

Hard work deserves a good rest. When creating a schedule, don’t forget to add breaks in between. Set a time for a 5-10 minute break to refresh your mind. In fact, several studies have found that taking breaks decreases stress, boosts brain functions and increases productivity. After resting, your brain will find it easier to concentrate and allow you to get more work done.

Balancing work and life

Despite these trying times, boosting your productivity at home will help improve your overall lifestyle. In general, balancing your life and profession while working remotely is the key to maintaining productivity.

Fortunately, professions such as online English teaching allow you to have more freedom in choosing your hours, enabling you to teach at your most productive time. 51Talk, the leading online English education platform, offers a flexible schedule, allowing 51Talk teachers to make the most of their day. If you want a productive and flexible remote online opportunity, become a 51Talk teacher today, and enjoy a profession that suits your lifestyle.