Anna Maria Richards
So you have work to do on your laptop today, and you know you need to focus. Suddenly, you see a notice on your Facebook, followed by an email that leads you down a rabbit hole of YouTube videos, and before you know it…
Bam!
The entire day is gone and you haven’t gotten any work done. You are going to be in so much trouble at work when you have nothing to show for your day!
How can you get yourself to be more productive while working from home on your computer?
Concentrating on your important projects doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some tips on how to improve focus while you work on your home computer.
Create a Game Plan Before Sitting Down
It’s so easy to get sidetracked on your computer if you don’t go on knowing exactly what you need to do. In order to improve your productivity, it’s crucial that you make goals for yourself so that you don’t get distracted as easily!
There is no question that staying focused on tasks has become more challenging than ever, and you definitely need help focusing. Getting the right supplements to help you stay focused on tasks is an excellent place to start. Finding ways to improve focus increases productivity and efficiency
If you struggle to remember your plans as you go, creating a to-do list on a post-it note and attaching it to your computer is a great way to stay on track.
Work in a Clean Environment
While working from home, it’s important to create a dedicated workspace for yourself. That way, even though you’re at home, you can let your brain know it’s time to work by having yourself set up in one specific location. Make sure to keep this work area neat and organized, and keep any potential distractions away!
It’s also good to have any tools you might need for the day set out ahead of time. This will help you improve concentration, as you won’t need to run around searching for things in the middle of a project or call.
Dress for the Occasion
Staying in your pajamas while working from home is tempting, but you can’t fall into that trap. Dressing as though you’re going to work will help to alter how you behave and keep you productive longer. Do all of your daily rituals as though you were going to work (take a shower, dress nicely, comb your hair, etc) to get your brain ready for the workday ahead.
Make a Schedule and Stick to it
Just as you should plan your activities for the day before starting up your computer, creating a solid schedule is another tip for how to improve focus at work! Have a list of regular activities for yourself and make sure you keep at it; making a habit out of your work will help you improve your focus and concentration.
Don’t forget to schedule lunch breaks and time to do things you enjoy doing as well. Running solely on work won’t do you any good in the long run and could lead to some serious burnout.
Log Your Productivity
As you work, it’s good to keep a log complete with the work that you’ve done. Logging your productivity is great for showing how much you’ve accomplished during the day.
Not only that but by logging your work as you go, you may be able to figure out when you are most productive. This will help you understand when you should start working on your more difficult or time-consuming projects, as your heightened productivity will make them easier on you.
Use Timers and Alarms
Do you struggle to get started on projects or keep yourself going for extended periods of time? If so, you should start using timers and alarms as a way to keep you motivated.
For help starting a project, set an alarm for a short period of time, and force yourself to work on the project until the alarm goes off. This timer can last from anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour to get you going on a project.
Once the alarm goes off, you may find that you have the energy to keep going. You can choose to set another alarm for yourself or just continue working at your own pace- getting started is half the battle, after all!
Keep Your Phone Away from You
Unless you have an important phone call that you know you’ll need to answer, there is no good reason for you to keep your phone at your work station. Any texts or notifications that you receive will likely become a distraction, and no matter how convinced you are that you can ignore your phone if it’s on silent, you still shouldn’t have it in your workspace.
Use Music to Encourage Productivity
Background noise has proven to be beneficial for focus and concentration. The best type of music to listen to in order to improve your productivity is calming music without lyrics or simple background noises. Playing the sound of rain or static can help just as much as having a classical playlist going.
Experiment with different background noises to find what works best for you. There are plenty of background noise apps you can download on your computer to help you work easier!
Give Yourself Breaks
Taking short breaks while you work is actually great for improving your productivity. Your brain isn’t meant to work nonstop, so give yourself 15-minute intervals when you can rest. During these breaks, you should try to avoid social media or anything that could distract you for long periods of time; instead, get something to eat, drink, or use the restroom. This will keep you productive longer!
Knowing How to Improve Focus Creates Productivity
Now that you know how to improve focus, you can improve your productivity and concentration even while working from home! Use these tips the next time you find yourself struggling to get through a project.
What have you done to help yourself focus while working from home?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a reply with your experiences down below, and continue reading our blog for more helpful productivity tips.
