Top tips to improve your productivity at home

*This is a collaborative post on tips to improve your productivity at home

If you don’t have the right setup in place, working from home can limit your productivity. Whether it’s distractions stopping you from working or poor internet connectivity, there are many ways your concentration and productivity can plummet. 

We’ve put these top tips together to help you make sure you’re as productive as possible when you work from home. Keep reading to learn how you can improve your work-from-home lifestyle. 

Set up your space for success

One of the most important things you need to remember is that your space directly affects how you work. For instance, if you have a small desk with random trinkets, creating a cramped area, you’re going to find it much more difficult to concentrate. On the other hand, an open and professional space can help to put you in a better frame of mind, encouraging deeper concentration and enhancing your productivity. 

But it’s not just desk size and layout you need to consider. You should also ensure you have sufficient lighting overhead, as this reduces eye strain. Additionally, you’ll need a supportive chair that promotes good posture. 

Maximise your connectivity & tech tools

Another point you’ll need to consider when working from home is your internet connectivity. Fast internet speeds are essential, especially if you have to attend virtual meetings or download large files frequently. If your internet speeds aren’t up to standard, this can drastically reduce your productivity and reflect poorly on you, even though it’s not your fault. Instead, consider switching to fibre broadband and phone deals. Some companies even offer free upgrades, especially if you’ve got old copper wires going to your house. 

We also recommend using productivity apps like Trello. Using them effectively can help you manage your workload and meet your deadlines, no matter how many projects you have on the go. 

Adopt focus-enhancing techniques

If you want to improve your productivity even more, there are a range of techniques you can use, like Pomodoro or ‘body doubling’. 

If you’re unfamiliar, body doubling is when you work alongside another person, providing mutual motivation. This can either be in person or virtually, but the idea is that being around other people who are also working helps us to focus better. In fact, some early trials have already shown effectiveness in sustaining concentration. 

Alternatively, the Pomodoro technique involves splitting your time into 25-minute focus periods. Once you have completed one of these, you take a 5-minute rest, then begin again. After 4 work periods (2 hours), you take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. 

Prioritise wellbeing & boundaries

The final point to consider is that we are not machines, which means we need regular rest periods to maintain our health and performance. When you work from home, it can be easy to blur the lines between work and personal life, but you need to set clear boundaries. 

By having firm start and finish times, you help to protect your mental and physical health, while also giving you time to meet up with friends and family.