5 Tips to Stay Focused and Motivated While Working from Home

A few months ago, we couldn’t have imagined how our lives were going to be changed in this country and around the world. In just a matter of weeks, we went from extended spring break to total lockdown, causing many of us to work from home.

For some of us, working from home might be a walk in the park, and for others, this might be a new experience, and finding ways to stay motivated and focused can be a challenge.

Between your coffee breaks, virtual meetings, your children’s homework assignments, staying active, and staying connected, how do you balance it all? Here are five tips to stay focused and motivated.

No. 1: Establish a routine

Creating a routine for yourself and your family while working from home is an essential first step when you start working from home. The key here is to treat working from home as if it were any other workday—set goals for your day. Goals help focus your mind and keep you on track with the day’s to-do list.

No. 2: Prepare your workspace

Keeping your work environment (even if it’s your dining room table) organized is a great way to stay motivated and focused throughout the day.

• Create your to-do list, and goal sheet for the day
• Organize your papers in order of importance
• File items away or toss them when you’re done with them

If you work mostly on the computer, clean up and organize your desktop. The organization makes it easier to focus and find items when you need them.

Another tip is to clean up your workspace at the end of the day to simulate leaving the office, and if possible, close it off when you clock out.

No. 3: Step away

We all know what it’s like to get sucked into the work void. One minute you’re checking your morning emails, and the next, it’s time for lunch.

Take time to get up, stretch, and move around for a few minutes before getting back to work. Take this time to call a friend or family member, go for a walk, start a load of laundry, or enjoy a quick snack with the kids. If you’re not procrastinating on your projects, there’s no shame in taking a break or getting things done around the house.

Bonus Tip: If you struggle to step away, try using the Pomodoro Technique. Pomodoro is a time management method that uses a timer to break down work into intervals. You work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four Pomodoro sessions, you will take a 30-minute break. You repeat that cycle for your entire workday.

No. 4: Stay connected

In today’s technologically advanced world, there’s no shortage of ways to communicate with our team members and our family. Programs like Skype have become the preferred method for businesses and friends alike to keep in touch. You can also send emails, texts, and make calls. Don’t forget to post messages on all your favorite social media platforms.

No. 5: Try something new

Working from home is what you make of it. You’re saving time by not having to commute. Take the opportunity to learn something new or try a new hobby. If you have kids, encourage them to learn with you.

As a friendly reminder, there’s no shame in taking a break or getting things done around the house as long as you’re not procrastinating on your projects. Taking the time to do a craft, learn a language, or dance to music gives your brain a rest and breaks up the monotony of being on the computer.

Lastly, be kind to yourself. If working from home is new to you, or you’ve been working from home for a while, pat yourself on the back. You’re doing awesome.