How To Stay Productive While Working From Home

How To Stay Productive While Working From Home


June 12, 2023 | Eul Basa

How To Stay Productive While Working From Home


For many people, the COVID shutdown has provided a free sample of what it’s like to work from home. While most Americans are enjoying the benefits (no commute, easier home life), there are also problems and pitfalls. The biggest issue: how to stay productive while working from home?

It can be tempting to take a nap between meetings, engage in household chores when you should be working, or just stream all day. After all, you’re in the comfort of your own home.

Well, here are 5 tips to keep you sane and productive while working from home, courtesy of someone who has been working remotely for years. 

Groom Yourself

One of the things people like best about working from home is the lack of dress code. You can work in your PJs if you want, and no one’s the wiser. But if you fall into that trap, pretty soon you’ll be telling yourself, “I don’t have to shower, no one’s the wiser.”

You don’t have to wear a three-piece suit, but make a point of dressing, showering, shaving, and otherwise maintaining yourself just as if you were going to work in an office every day. Self-care still matters for its own sake -- and for the sake of your sanity.

Wake Up Early

This goes hand-in-hand with number one. It’s so tempting to set your alarm for 8:50, roll out of bed, and go directly to your desk. 

While getting extra sleep is one of the perks of working remotely, you should make a point of waking up a little earlier than you need to. Go for a run, have a coffee, make breakfast. Do whatever you need to do to wake yourself up and get yourself in that working headspace. Your brain will thank you.

Advertisement

Have A Workspace

Workspace is just as important as headspace -- in fact the two are related. It may seem chill to work in bed, but that’s generally a bad idea. It’s confusing to your brain. Your bedroom should be a place of relaxation and rest, not Zoom meetings and stress. 

Instead, set aside somewhere in your home where you can compartmentalize your work. If you don’t have a home office, choose the kitchen table, the living room, heck even the balcony. When you have a designated workspace, it’s easier to stay focused on the task at hand. 

Take Breaks

A lot of people who work from home don’t take scheduled breaks. Instead, they waste time while they’re working and rationalize it. This can be a drain on productivity. If you can, structure your day just as you would in the office, with breaks peppered into your working hours.

Make A To-Do List

Some people already do this at the beginning of every day in order to ground themselves and establish the results they want to deliver before they go home. But if you don’t, it can be a big help when working remotely.

One of the challenges of not being in the office is isolation. It’s easy to feel lost and directionless, to spend precious hours wondering what to do, where to go, who to talk to. And, of course, you will experience delays as you wait for superiors to message or call you back and approve whatever it is you’re doing.

If you have a to-do list, you will never feel lost or without purpose. There’s always something productive you can be doing.


READ MORE

Internalfb Image

Collectors Items That Now Aren't Worth Beans

Once-valuable treasures can lose their shine as trends fade. There are so many "vintage" items that now serve as relics. Check out how once-prized collectibles became surprisingly worthless, and let us know if you agree.
January 31, 2025 Alex Summers

The Most Rewarding Jobs For Extroverts Who Love The Outdoors

If you love the outdoors but have been stuck in an office cubicle for most of your professional life, this list of the most rewarding jobs is for you.
March 31, 2025 Jack Hawkins

The Cash-Only Approach: 12 Purchases Worth Every Penny

Explore the financial wisdom of using cash in a digital age. Dive into twelve scenarios where paying with tangible money offers benefits that cards simply can't match, from supporting local businesses to securing better deals.
October 31, 2023 Allison Robertson
amazon_internal

Amazon Is Under Fire After Federal Investigators Discover Unsafe Conditions At Warehouses

This month, Amazon was served a major safety citation after federal investigators found multiple of its warehouses operating under unsafe work conditions.
January 31, 2023 Eul Basa
moneyinternal

How To Find Cheap Dental Implants

A perfect smile doesn't have to be expensive. Find out how to get affordable dental implants near you with these simple tips.
January 31, 2023 Eul Basa

The Most Bizarre Things That Sold High At Auctions

Whether it’s pure nostalgia, obsession, or just plain curiosity, these bizarre items prove that, at the right auction, anything can become a treasure.
March 31, 2025 Binet


Disclaimer

The information on MoneyMade.com is intended to support financial literacy and should not be considered tax or legal advice. It is not meant to serve as a forecast, research report, or investment recommendation, nor should it be taken as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or adopt any particular investment strategy. All financial, tax, and legal decisions should be made with the help of a qualified professional. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or outcomes associated with the use of this content.





Dear reader,


It’s true what they say: money makes the world go round. In order to succeed in this life, you need to have a good grasp of key financial concepts. That’s where Moneymade comes in. Our mission is to provide you with the best financial advice and information to help you navigate this ever-changing world. Sometimes, generating wealth just requires common sense. Don’t max out your credit card if you can’t afford the interest payments. Don’t overspend on Christmas shopping. When ordering gifts on Amazon, make sure you factor in taxes and shipping costs. If you need a new car, consider a model that’s easy to repair instead of an expensive BMW or Mercedes. Sometimes you dream vacation to Hawaii or the Bahamas just isn’t in the budget, but there may be more affordable all-inclusive hotels if you know where to look.


Looking for a new home? Make sure you get a mortgage rate that works for you. That means understanding the difference between fixed and variable interest rates. Whether you’re looking to learn how to make money, save money, or invest your money, our well-researched and insightful content will set you on the path to financial success. Passionate about mortgage rates, real estate, investing, saving, or anything money-related? Looking to learn how to generate wealth? Improve your life today with Moneymade. If you have any feedback for the MoneyMade team, please reach out to hello@moneymade.com. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,

The Moneymade team