Designate a specific workspace - Having a designated spot in your home where you “go to work” can result in less distraction and deeper focus.

 A productivity tip for work from home 🏡

<img alt="" src="https://blogs-images.forbes.com/assets/images/avatars/blog-4254_400_3df8fcdef6c1eacbc5f29bcfc396a2d3.jpg" width="64" height="64">Post written byJonathan BaconJon Bacon is the VP of Marketing for <a href="https://www.surecall.com/cell-phone-signal-booster-guide/" rel="nofollow noopener" dir="ltr">SureCall</a>, a U.S.-based cell phone signal booster manufacturer, selling in North &amp; South America.<img alt="Photo:" src="https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/711x474/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/dam/imageserve/1150488967/960x0.jpg?fit=scale" width="668" height="445"><div class="caption" dir="ltr"> 
 Photo: 
 Getty 
</div>With so much uncertainty about the future, it’s important to remember that we can only control what we can control. Personally, this has helped me manage the stress of everything going on and all of the change that came at us lightning-fast, particularly within the last month.With that in mind, here are seven suggestions that can help you be more productive while working from home, whether you’re new to remote work or looking for ways to adjust your work-life balance:1. Designate a specific workspace.Studies show that having a <a href="https://www.the1thing.com/blog/the-one-thing/setting-up-a-space-where-you-can-work-from-home/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:https://www.the1thing.com/blog/the-one-thing/setting-up-a-space-where-you-can-work-from-home/" aria-label="specific workspace" dir="ltr">specific workspace</a> is important to help you focus. Having a designated spot in your home where you “go to work” can result in less distraction and deeper focus. If you have an actual office in your home, that’s ideal, but since every home is different, you’ll have to make the best use of your available space. Places that can work nicely are a kitchen counter (sit in the same spot each time), the dining room table or a hallway desk.If you can, avoid working in your bedroom. Because your body and mind associate that room with sleep, trying to set up shop there rarely works out. In short, don’t try to sleep and work in the same space.2. Take breaks and go outside.Sun and fresh air aren’t just great for plants; they’re good for you, too. By regularly exercising — even if it’s something as simple as walking — you add an important element to your health. If you have a dog, make that your excuse to go outside throughout the day. Short breaks every few hours can help increase mental clarity&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-rule-of-52-and-17-its-random-but-it-ups-your-productivity" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-rule-of-52-and-17-its-random-but-it-ups-your-productivity" aria-label="overall productivity" dir="ltr">overall productivity</a>.If going outside isn’t an easy option, even just having your lunch or daydreaming in front of a window can have similar benefits.3. Customize your environment.&nbsp;While we can’t always control where we get to work, we can control our work environment. Personalizing your workspace in ways that you may not be able to in your corporate office can be fun and a good mental exercise to help you relax.Whether it’s a scented candle, a plant or a particular photo, customize your work environment with what will help you feel comfortable, focused and motivated throughout the day. These kinds of things — particularly <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-scents-affect-peoples/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-scents-affect-peoples/" aria-label="scents" dir="ltr">scents</a> and <a href="https://thriveglobal.com/stories/indoor-plants-for-mental-well-being-in-office/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:https://thriveglobal.com/stories/indoor-plants-for-mental-well-being-in-office/" aria-label="plants" dir="ltr">plants</a>&nbsp;— can have very positive effects on your emotional well-being. 
 4. Listen to music.&nbsp;Since many office environments don’t allow music in your workspace (outside of using headphones), this is another opportunity to create your best working environment. Keep in mind, if sharing with a spouse, roommate or children, that you need to be sensitive to their needs as well. In my home, for instance, we’ve incorporated classical and instrumental music, as studies have shown that these types of music can <a href="https://business.linkedin.com/en-uk/marketing-solutions/blog/posts/B2B-Marketing/2017/Music-at-work-good-or-bad" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:https://business.linkedin.com/en-uk/marketing-solutions/blog/posts/B2B-Marketing/2017/Music-at-work-good-or-bad" aria-label="help increase productivity" dir="ltr">help increase productivity</a> and keep the mind sharp.Many types of music can help make working from home during quarantine more enjoyable and productive, but avoid music that will distract you from your work. Use music to your advantage and for enjoyment while working remotely.5. Keep regular hours.This one can be a challenge for many, but keeping meeting schedules and regular calls with your team can help you maintain a regular work schedule. Do not let transitioning from an office to your home stop you from keeping a strict schedule. Did you usually get up and exercise before work? Do you have a set time for lunch? Try to maintain these activities at home, because the more familiar and consistent your work schedule, the better.The opposite is also true. Habits like sleeping in or playing video games in the middle of the day can snowball and completely erode productivity. Keep the good habits, and don’t let the bad ones start. No one is saying you can’t be flexible with your schedule; the key is finding a routine that works for you and keeps you focused.6. Create and maintain a morning routine.Similar to keeping regular hours, developing a morning routine can help you have a more productive workday. Creating a plan for your morning that you repeat each day can have positive effects on your work life and your mindset. Whatever system you had in place, try to stick to it. Many successful people attribute their personal and financial success to a morning of strict habits. Now is a great time to start, if you haven’t already.This is also true for how you tend to dress or groom. A lot of people I know are taking this time to grow out a beard or try a new hairstyle (some not by choice), but I recommend not working from your pajamas exclusively. Sure, casual days are great, but overdoing it may <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/03/26/821811836/working-from-home-are-you-dressed-for-success-or-wearing-pajamas" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:https://www.npr.org/2020/03/26/821811836/working-from-home-are-you-dressed-for-success-or-wearing-pajamas" aria-label="impact the quality of your work" dir="ltr">impact the quality of your work</a>.7. Don’t stop socializing.Socializing is just as important when working remotely as it is in the traditional workplace — maybe even more so. Isolation, disconnection and loneliness can be a bad recipe for your mental health.Working from home doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected to co-workers, family and friends. Use Zoom, Skype or whatever program you prefer to communicate face to face. In our office, several of us are remote, so we’ve had regular video calls for years, and it’s helped us stay connected even though we work across multiple time zones. At the very least, it will encourage you to clean up a few times a week — even if it’s just with a button-up and a pair of sweatpants.<div dir="ltr"> 
 <a href="http://www.forbescommcouncil.com/qualify/?source=forbes-text" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:http://www.forbescommcouncil.com/qualify/?source=forbes-text" aria-label="Forbes Communications Council" dir="ltr">Forbes Communications Council</a> is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. 
 <a href="http://www.forbescommcouncil.com/qualify/?source=forbes-text" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:http://www.forbescommcouncil.com/qualify/?source=forbes-text" aria-label="Do I qualify?" dir="ltr">Do I qualify?</a> 
</div>

Whether you're new to remote work or looking for ways to adjust your work-life balance, these tips can help you be more productive.

productivity

Productivity

timemanagement

Time Management

Jon Bacon is the VP of Marketing for <a href="https://www.surecall.com/cell-phone-signal-booster-guide/">SureCall </a>, a U.S.-based cell phone signal booster manufacturer, selling in North & South America.

Photo:

With so much uncertainty about the future, it’s important to remember that we can only control what we can control. Personally, this has helped me manage the stress of everything going on and all of the change that came at us lightning-fast, particularly within the last month.

With that in mind, here are seven suggestions that can help you be more productive while working from home, whether you’re new to remote work or looking for ways to adjust your work-life balance:

1. Designate a specific workspace.

Studies show that having a <a href="https://www.the1thing.com/blog/the-one-thing/setting-up-a-space-where-you-can-work-from-home/">specific workspace </a>is important to help you focus. Having a designated spot in your home where you “go to work” can result in less distraction and deeper focus. If you have an actual office in your home, that’s ideal, but since every home is different, you’ll have to make the best use of your available space. Places that can work nicely are a kitchen counter (sit in the same spot each time), the dining room table or a hallway desk.

If you can, avoid working in your bedroom. Because your body and mind associate that room with sleep, trying to set up shop there rarely works out. In short, don’t try to sleep and work in the same space.

2. Take breaks and go outside.

Sun and fresh air aren’t just great for plants; they’re good for you, too. By regularly exercising — even if it’s something as simple as walking — you add an important element to your health. If you have a dog, make that your excuse to go outside throughout the day. Short breaks every few hours can help increase mental clarity and <a href="https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-rule-of-52-and-17-its-random-but-it-ups-your-productivity">overall productivity </a>.

If going outside isn’t an easy option, even just having your lunch or daydreaming in front of a window can have similar benefits.

3. Customize your environment.

While we can’t always control where we get to work, we can control our work environment. Personalizing your workspace in ways that you may not be able to in your corporate office can be fun and a good mental exercise to help you relax.

Whether it’s a scented candle, a plant or a particular photo, customize your work environment with what will help you feel comfortable, focused and motivated throughout the day. These kinds of things — particularly <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-scents-affect-peoples/">scents </a>and <a href="https://thriveglobal.com/stories/indoor-plants-for-mental-well-being-in-office/">plants </a> — can have very positive effects on your emotional well-being.

4. Listen to music.

Since many office environments don’t allow music in your workspace (outside of using headphones), this is another opportunity to create your best working environment. Keep in mind, if sharing with a spouse, roommate or children, that you need to be sensitive to their needs as well. In my home, for instance, we’ve incorporated classical and instrumental music, as studies have shown that these types of music can <a href="https://business.linkedin.com/en-uk/marketing-solutions/blog/posts/B2B-Marketing/2017/Music-at-work-good-or-bad">help increase productivity </a>and keep the mind sharp.

Many types of music can help make working from home during quarantine more enjoyable and productive, but avoid music that will distract you from your work. Use music to your advantage and for enjoyment while working remotely.

5. Keep regular hours.

This one can be a challenge for many, but keeping meeting schedules and regular calls with your team can help you maintain a regular work schedule. Do not let transitioning from an office to your home stop you from keeping a strict schedule. Did you usually get up and exercise before work? Do you have a set time for lunch? Try to maintain these activities at home, because the more familiar and consistent your work schedule, the better.

The opposite is also true. Habits like sleeping in or playing video games in the middle of the day can snowball and completely erode productivity. Keep the good habits, and don’t let the bad ones start. No one is saying you can’t be flexible with your schedule; the key is finding a routine that works for you and keeps you focused.

6. Create and maintain a morning routine.

Similar to keeping regular hours, developing a morning routine can help you have a more productive workday. Creating a plan for your morning that you repeat each day can have positive effects on your work life and your mindset. Whatever system you had in place, try to stick to it. Many successful people attribute their personal and financial success to a morning of strict habits. Now is a great time to start, if you haven’t already.

This is also true for how you tend to dress or groom. A lot of people I know are taking this time to grow out a beard or try a new hairstyle (some not by choice), but I recommend not working from your pajamas exclusively. Sure, casual days are great, but overdoing it may <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/03/26/821811836/working-from-home-are-you-dressed-for-success-or-wearing-pajamas">impact the quality of your work </a>.

7. Don’t stop socializing.

Socializing is just as important when working remotely as it is in the traditional workplace — maybe even more so. Isolation, disconnection and loneliness can be a bad recipe for your mental health.

Working from home doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected to co-workers, family and friends. Use Zoom, Skype or whatever program you prefer to communicate face to face. In our office, several of us are remote, so we’ve had regular video calls for years, and it’s helped us stay connected even though we work across multiple time zones. At the very least, it will encourage you to clean up a few times a week — even if it’s just with a button-up and a pair of sweatpants.

<a href="http://www.forbescommcouncil.com/qualify/?source=forbes-text">Do I qualify? </a>

Council Post: Seven Tips For Staying Productive While Working From Home

A productivity tip for work from home 🏡

Jai Keerthick's ideas are part of this journey:

Related collections

Similar ideas