How to be Productive While Working from Home

In 2019, “working from home” seemed like a luxury — some employers even offered it as a perk or reward to their employees. In 2020, any work that can be done from a computer transitioned into this once-dreamy lifestyle, and soon thereafter, we were wearing our pajamas full-time and our pets turned into coworkers.

While working remotely is still a privilege that some of us are lucky to have, there also came an adjustment period as we switched from this “temporary fix” to a more permanent situation. And as we incorporate work into our home, it has become pretty clear that in order to actually get work done, we need to make our homes more office-savvy.

So, how do you become more productive while working from home? Is there such a thing?

Each home situation is different, of course, but getting a step up with your workspace will bring you that much closer to hitting your work goals.

Step 1: Give Yourself Space to Work

When I started working from home, my office setup was less than ideal. I was surrounded by a pile of zucchinis that we harvested from our quarantine-built garden. I worked at the kitchen table, where my elbows touched the potted plants that our household bought as a mood booster. For weeks, in my line of sight was a pile of Amazon boxes from all the things we had shipped to our house when we couldn’t go to the stores.

It came as no surprise that because of this lack of designated workspace, I couldn’t focus. Rather than make space for my work area, I was making do with the space I could find.

Sound familiar?

Dedicating a room, nook, or even a small corner to your workspace will give you the physical, and mental, space to work on your projects and tasks. A home office that you’ve made space for keeps work separate from home, giving meaning back to the idea of work hours versus personal hours.

What does that look like? For starters, avoid sitting on your bed with your laptop — that space is devoted to sleeping and relaxing. Avoid using the living room couch as your office chair — that space is devoted to your time outside of work where you enjoy movies, video games, or read a book. This can even translate to the clothes you wear; comfy pants are devoted to comfy time, jeans are devoted to office time, and so on. Your office space is devoted to your work, and over time, your subconscious will make note of this.

Sit in an actual office chair that is ergonomically designed to keep you comfortable while you’re working for 8 hours a day. While voluntary breaks are good for your brain, involuntary breaks to stand up from an uncomfortable chair are not-so-good. In fact, we have a list of top office chairs that you can choose from that will keep you upright, awake, and focused. Pick a desk that is only intended for work items (we have a list of good go-to desks, too) and treat it like you would at the office.

Whatever you use in your daily work routine, whether it be a planner, Post-It notes, or just a computer screen, make sure that you have it nearby and ready to use. This means having your supplies easily accessible and not covered by a pile of old zucchinis. The more time it takes to get to your notes, the higher chance your train of thought will be interrupted.

Step 2: Upgrade Your Office Supplies

You might be used to working on a laptop at home, but how much is that hindering your work? Because of the smaller screen, you’re likely spending more time switching through tabs or magnifying pages just to read a report. Bigger screens allow for better efficiency and a more effective workflow, and if you have two computer screens working together, your visual workspace can double. An improvement in your monitor setup keeps you from having to switch screens, helping you maintain focus.

Need help choosing a new computer monitor? HP has been a pro at office setups for decades, so we’re not surprised to see them at the top of our list for computer monitors. We’ve narrowed down our top picks from a wide range of brands so you can easily make your choice and start improving your office setup ASAP.

Along with a new computer monitor, consider what type of desk you’re using and determine whether it’s doing the trick for you or not. Some prefer the flexibility of standing desks, especially if that desk gives you the option to stand or sit. Look at the space that you have for your office and then decide on a desk that will complement it. Need more storage to keep papers from flooding your desk? Want a more minimal look? These are all things that you have control over that can make your home office blossom into a productivity palace.

Once you have the bigger items narrowed down, start honing in on the smaller accessories that you use every day. Evaluate your keyboard, your mouse, your paper organizer, etc. Office supplies can be seen as tools to help you work. The more tools you have in your office space, the more likely you can fix any problems you’re having with focus.

Upgrading your office supplies also includes minimizing the chaos. For me, this came in the form of tangled wires. So, I cleared up the wires by choosing wireless products. I switched to a Bluetooth keyboard, Bluetooth mouse, and even wireless headphones to just declutter. The less things I had just floating around my office space, the better.

Step 3: Lean into the Remote Lifestyle

Embracing the remote lifestyle means leaning into these better tools, upgrading your office space, and committing to the idea that you can be productive in your own home. While remote working also gives you more flexibility to work from anywhere, having a go-to workstation can recenter you and anchor your focus.

You should be able to enjoy the benefits of working from home without blurring the line between office space and home space. Keep work in one place, rather than taking it with you all over your home.

Once you shift your attention to improving your home office setup, you’ll have the tools needed to form work-focused habits and routines. One streamlined desk leads to more space for a double-monitor setup, which leads to a “focus calendar” on one screen while you work on the other. Less wires everywhere leads to less coffee spills, leading to less time spent cleaning up.

Don’t let 2020 ruin your vision of remote work. Instead, make 2020 the year you take full advantage of that 10-second commute. It’s time to re-embrace the dreaminess of work-from-home perks, because after all, there are so many things to love about it.