How to be more productive when working from home

For many of us, working from home is a sigh of relief and a dream come true.

Working in your own space, things feel breezier and brighter… The sunshine of the living room replaces stale office air and no more commuting means you can save money and time while avoiding early morning stress.

But when the only person keeping you focused is you, maintaining productivity can be a challenge. With far more distractions and no prying eyes to keep you on track, working from home requires a fine balance between feeling free and getting things done. 

Here are seven ways to be more productive when you work from home:

Dress for the occasion

When it comes to being productive, your mindset is key and the right clothes set the tone for your working day. Since you’re in no rush for the 8am train, there’s plenty of time to invigorate with a shower and get dressed for success. Wear something which lifts your mood and gets your head in the game. That could be a designer suit or your favourite pair of jeans; just be sure you feel your best. Pyjamas are strictly prohibited.

Make your workspace beautiful

What could inspire you better to create great work than a beautiful place to do it? Perhaps you have a home office or you use a cosy corner of the kitchen: either way, the space needs to boost your mood and be entirely clutter-free. Choose somewhere with lots of sunlight and add plants for clean air and a calming atmosphere. Invest in a desk that you actually want to sit at and have a place for everything to eliminate the stress of tidying. Sitting with good posture can also help keep you on task.

Work to a schedule

You’ll be far more productive if you create a plan and stick to it. All distractions (television in the background, podcasts, your smartphone and social media) should be strictly off limits during working hours. Make a plan at the start of the day with clear goals that you want to achieve by lunchtime and by end of play. 

Leave the house

However charming your workspace, it’s vital to escape the four walls of your home as fresh air and an increased heart rate do wonders for your mental health. Getting outdoors is a good start, but getting the blood pumping is better still. Go for a run, walk the dog or take an early morning yoga class before you settle down to work. With the endorphins flowing a morning at the laptop will feel focussed rather than forlorn. These activities can also be carried out at lunchtime to give you a break, but don’t be tempted to take more than an hour off...

Get sociable 

Don’t let days drift by with a hundred emails and no real conversation. With no one to talk to, it’s easy to get lost in your own head, making problems bigger and solutions scarce. This leads to time wasted and opportunities missed. Chat over breakfast with a partner or housemate, catch up with friends over lunch or - even better - find a fellow worker-from-home to come round and share the silence. Knowing someone else is in the same boat and having (quiet) company can really help you meet your targets.

Eat well

Along with the hearty breakfast and friendly lunch-break to keep you sane, it’s essential to snack sensibly. On your weekly shop, march bravely past the cakes and cereals, because once they’re on the shelf they’re far trickier to avoid. Choose brain foods like nuts, berries and dark chocolate, but limit them to your break time; reaching for the almonds six times in a row drags you gently off schedule. And gets crumbs on your keyboard.