3 Tips for Creating a Productive Workspace When Working Remotely

Based on a study conducted by Forbes, in 2023 12.7% of all full-time employees are now working a fully remote schedule, while 28.2% are working a hybrid model schedule. It’s estimated that by 2025, the percentage of Americans working fully remotely will continue to rise and reach at least 22%. With this projected increase it’s important to learn how to transform your current personal space into a productive workspace if you currently are, or planning to, work from home.

Set Up a Dedicated Work Area

When starting to work from home, it’s easy to let yourself neglect where you are physically completing work. While laying in bed with the TV on, your dog at your feet, and your laptop on your legs may seem like a luxury, that doesn’t allow you to establish a productive workspace. 

If you know you’ll be working from home, designate one part of your home to your job. That doesn’t mean you need an office or four filing cabinets; it just allows you to correlate that area with work. It will allow you to create a mental separation between your personal and professional life and help you strive in both.

Eliminate Distractions

We all know that sometimes even at an office job it’s easy to give in to distractions. Sometimes it might be other people, random noises from the coffee machine, or anything really that has the capability to take your mind off of work and make you lose your train of thought and momentum. It’s happened to all of us, but it’s an even more dangerous trap when working from home.

Unlike when a supervisor is breathing down your neck, at home you ultimately have the freedom to do whatever you want. It’s important to set a routine and boundaries for yourself when you’re working at home. 

Don’t try to multitask between working and watching TV. Instead, set your workspace somewhere where the TV isn’t in your line of sight. Same thing with your phone, turn it off and put it away so you don’t stop working every time a notification goes off. Aside from electronics, if you know you have other things at home that will cause an issue with concentration, make the conscious decision early to keep them away from your work area.

Take Breaks and Exercise 

Burnout is very real, and an overwhelming amount of employees fall victim to it all the time. Though you need to establish personal discipline when working from home, you also have the ability to stop when you need to. 

Walking outside, doing very simple stretches, or even letting yourself have a limited electronics break can help get your brain back on track to work. Anything that you enjoy doing and that gives you a thinking break is a great way to prevent burnout and help you succeed in your position.

Working from home is a relatively new concept to everyone so at least for now it is ever-changing. Remember, everyone’s needs and preferences are different, so it’s essential to find the strategies that work best for you in creating a productive work environment.

Categorised in: time management, virtual meetings, workplaces