Working from home can be a great way to stay productive and avoid the distractions of a traditional office environment. However, it can also be challenging to stay focused and motivated when you’re working in a space that’s filled with distractions.

It’s important to be self disciplined and to stay motivated. Here are 10 tips to help you stay productive and successful while working from home:

• Set up a designated workspace: Whether it’s a spare room, a corner of your living room, or a desk in your bedroom, having a specific area to work in can help you stay focused and organized. I also like to find a spot I can work and stand up so I am not sitting down all day like my kitchen counter, especially when I’m home alone. The easiest way for me to do this is to keep a basket with my planner, journal, etc in case I do want to change up my work spot.
• Get dressed: While it may be tempting to work in your pajamas, getting dressed and ready for the day can help put you in the right mindset and help you feel more professional. I go ahead and get dressed when I take the kids to school so I can come home, workout and start working. By “get dressed” I do typically mean leggings and a tank top, etc but I definitely get out of my pajamas before I even have my coffee- except on the weekends!
• Keep a schedule: Set a regular schedule for your workday and try to stick to it as closely as possible. This can help you stay on track and avoid distractions. Make yourself a list or general schedule to follow daily or weekly if it helps
• Take breaks: It’s important to take regular breaks throughout the day to rest your eyes, stretch, and recharge. This can help you stay focused and avoid burnout. I try to get up at least once an hour just to give myself a mental and physical break. Usually I will walk around, do a quick 10 minute workout or just get a snack and give myself a mental break
• Stay connected: Working from home can be isolating, so it’s important to stay connected with colleagues and coworkers. Use video conferencing tools to connect face-to-face and stay in touch via email or instant messaging. If you’re able too, try to meet up with your friends at least monthly for a lunch to help nurture those relationships and get you out of the house
• Eliminate distractions: Minimize distractions as much as possible by turning off notifications or using noise-cancelling headphones to block out background noise. “Alexa, play white noise” is said in my house at least 10 times a day, especially when working from home with kids!!
• Stay organized: Keep your workspace clean and organized to help you stay focused and productive. Use a planner or calendar to keep track of deadlines and appointments.
• Communicate with family and friends: Let family and friends know when you’re working and the general hours you work weekly. This can help minimize interruptions and distractions.
• Take care of yourself: Working from home can be stressful, so it’s important to take care of your physical and mental health. Make time for exercise, healthy meals, and relaxation. Set a daily or weekly exercise goal and make it realistic so it’s more attainable. My goal is to workout four times a week for thirty minutes a day and almost every week I am able to make this happen.
• Set boundaries: It can be easy to blur the lines between work and personal time when you’re working from home. I swear no one thinks I work and I work a forty hour work week, every week. Set clear boundaries to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid burnout.

Hopefully by following these tips, you can create a productive and successful work-from-home environment that helps you stay focused, motivated, and connected. What’s your favorite work from home tip?