How to Be More Productive While Working from Home

Many companies are now allowing their employees to work from home or telecommute. Also many have started their own home-based businesses. Both of these options often involve desk jobs and utilizing the computer. Some work from home jobs are production-based as well. Therefore, it makes senses to find ways to be more productive while working from home, both to increase your efforts if it is production-based work (like medical transcription) as well as to spend less time working and have more time to reap the benefits of working from your house. So here are some ways to be more productive while working from home.

There are many distractions in the home that do not exist in the office environment. These include children, pets, personal phone calls and visitors, household duties, television, radio, food, etc. Also, there is no one watching to make sure you stay on task! The first step in eliminating distractions is to create a work environment that is private, free of clutter and has enough space for all your supplies to be accessible. If you have your computer and work supplies spread out across the kitchen table, you will soon get distracted by feeling the need to clean the kitchen, wash the dishes, etc. Ideally your home office should be in a separate room with a door that can be closed. If you do not have an extra room, perhaps another room in the house could be converted into an office. A large laundry room, half of the garage, a huge closet could all be converted into a home office. If you do not regularly use your dining room for formal dining, doors could be added to close it off and offer privacy and quiet. Once you have an appropriate home office chosen, make sure it is clean and free of clutter. Create shelves or rolling drawers to contain office supplies. Some excellent rolling drawer sets are available at discount stores for low prices and these are great for organizing supplies.

Set a schedule for working and allow yourself breaks at set times. When you are not on an official break, let the answering machine answer the telephone. Make sure children are aware of your “office hours” and do not interrupt. Then be sure to spend time with them during break time. Keep all pets out of your work area. Also do not eat or drink unless it is break time. Leave your office for eating and drinking and you will truly enjoy the break. Set an egg timer up for 30 minutes and work steadily and constantly until the timer goes off. Short bursts of concentrated effort will really increase your productivity.