Make Working From Home More Productive by Pretending to Be in the Office
For most of the last decade, I have worked exclusively from home. Working from home is great, but it can also be very distracting. What makes the task easier? Pretend you went to the office.
By putting yourself in the office mindset, even while at home, you can often be more productive than if you were still in that “home” while trying to work.
There are several different things you can do to make this happen.
Get
While it’s tempting to stay in your pajamas all day, every productivity article when you work from home still suggests dressing for the office.
I don’t always do this, but I physically crawl out of my pajamas. I also highly recommend going for a walk or jog in the morning so that you can leave the house 15-30 minutes before the start of your work day. For me, it’s usually walking the dog or walking down the street for breakfast. When you split your sleep and work hours and get the opportunity to “go to work,” you start in a better mood.
Have dedicated office space
You don’t need an entire office (although that would be great), but give yourself a dedicated space that you try to work in every day, ideally away from where you usually spend time after work with your family.
I work in an extra bedroom in our apartment, but your place could be the breakfast nook in the kitchen or the nook in the living room. Think of a place in your home that is not visited by many people, and consider if you can adapt it as an office.
Pretend you’re not at home
Once you get to the office in the morning, the most important step to your productivity is pretending to be in the real office. If you were at work, you wouldn’t do your laundry, do the dishes, or open the door for marketers, would you? In general, acting like you are in the office can go a long way towards your productivity.
If you live with other people, tell them about your workplace and ask not to be disturbed while you are in it. You should also try to avoid dining and the like with friends who may not have a part-time job. Your office hours are business hours just because you are at home, don’t let other people take over your time.
When I first started working from home, I was bombarded with requests for airport pick-up, babysitting, and just about anything else you can imagine from friends who assumed that since I was at home, I was “free” to do something. While working from home can be a great option for doctor appointments and occasional meals, don’t let your friends treat your workday as if it’s just time at home.
While small requests may seem small and even possible, they can quickly turn into tasks that monopolize your workday and make you much less productive than you would otherwise be.
Think: Would I do this if I worked in an office? If the answer is no, then you should probably skip it.