Four top tips for staying motivated when working from home
Even if your position isn’t remote, there may come a time when you’ll be required to work from home. However, staying focused in a new environment can be tricky, particularly if you’re not used to the many distractions that can come with working in your own space.
To help you stay driven and productive whether you’re working from the office or at home, here are four top tips to boost your motivation while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Stick to a schedule
Sticking to a schedule is far easier when you’re working in a collaborative office environment, face-to-face with colleagues who are depending on you to get your work done. You can’t get distracted by the doorbell going, needing to put a wash on or your pets asking for your attention. Being in the office allows you to focus on one thing: work.
On a work from home day, you have to ensure your tasks are completed to the same standard and at the same pace as they usually would be. However, with plenty more freedom and no one around to know what you’re doing and when, you may find it easier to stray off course.
Most people need structure to do their best work. By blocking out time throughout the day to complete each of your tasks, you’ll likely find it easier to meet your deadlines. In turn, the more work you complete, the more motivated you’ll feel to continue to achieve your best.
Remember not to overwork yourself – part of blocking out your time means putting that work down when the allotted time has passed. It’s important to get plenty of rest outside of work hours if you want to stay motivated and productive.
Stay in contact with colleagues
Taking accountability for your duties is important in the workplace, as what you do – or don’t do – will likely impact your colleagues. When you’re working from home, staying on track can feel tricky without the support and encouragement from the people who are usually around you at work.
Be sure to schedule time to communicate with your colleagues, whether that’s a meeting to catch up on work tasks, or a casual chat to talk about how each of you are getting on. Positive interpersonal work relationships can significantly boost your productivity and overall job satisfaction, helping you to stay happy while working from home.
Create a welcoming workspace
Depending on how often you work from home, you may want to create a home office, or simply set up a quiet, welcoming space where you can get your work done without being interrupted. Your space should be equipped with everything you need to complete your tasks, such as a spacious, clear desk, a comfortable ergonomic chair, and ample natural light.
The more comfortable you feel in your space, the more motivated you’re likely to feel to work to the best of your ability. There’s nothing worse than trying to be productive surrounded by heaps of clutter – remember, a pleasant environment will make your entire working experience more enjoyable.
Make time for your wellbeing
As human beings, we can only stay motivated for so long. If we continuously push ourselves too hard, we’ll eventually become burnt out. In fact, you’re likely to find that you’re able to do your best work when you’ve effectively managed to balance your responsibilities and your downtime.
Rest allows your brain time to process information, and helps to boost your memory – without ample rest, you’re likely to feel irritable, anxious, and even depressed. Of course, it’s near impossible to stay motivated when your body is overtired and your mood is suffering. So, one of the best things you can do to stay happy, healthy and motivated is be kind to yourself, and take time out when you feel like you need it.
A great chance to do great work
Equipped with these four tips, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated when working outside of the office. However, it may take some trial and error – remember that work from home days can be few and far between, and are a great chance to really knuckle down and do great work in a more relaxed and comfortable environment.