In this article, I’ll share my 5 tops on how to be more productive working from home.
If you’re someone who currently works from home or you plan to work from home soon, these tips will make it much easier for you to focus on your work and reach your goals.
When I tell someone I work from home, they’re response is almost always, “Nice, I wish I could do that”.
Well, it’s actually not so easy because you’re responsible for literally everything related to your business.
The main problem is productivity!
How to Be More Productive Working From Home:
I’m sure you have noticed that there are times when you feel unstoppable and other times when you feel like lifting a pen is the greatest challenge in the world.
Everyone has ups and downs, it’s normal. See, working online requires a certain level of creativity, and creativity often feels like a limited resource.
It’s easy to feel drained after working on your website for hours.
And when you feel drained, little work gets done!
So here are some tips that will make it easier for you to get back into that productive and creative work groove!
Tip #1. Work for a Short Periods of Time:
There’s really no need to work non-stop for hours on end.
When it comes to writing articles, I often write for short periods at a time and then take a break and come back for a fresh start.
P.S. Read this article to learn how to write keyword targeted articles that bring in traffic.
I suggest working for 20 minutes straight and then take a break for a few minutes.
Of course, that’s not set in stone, and other people recommend working for 90 minutes with a 10 minute break.
Personally, I prefer short periods of work with short breaks.
It’s important to not take too long breaks, the shorter the better, even something as simple as heading to the kitchen for a drink can count as a break.
The point is to let your eyes relax and clear your head a bit.
It really works!
And let’s not forget that staring at a screen can damage your eyes!
Tip #2. Use a Stop Watch to Keep You On Your Toes:
This is a simple trick that expands on the previous tip we talked about.
What I do is a set a stopwatch with a countdown for a certain period of time and then try to get as much work done in the time period as possible.
You could use the stopwatch app on your phone or you could open a new tab and find an online stopwatch.
Below is an image of the one I use most of the time.
I like to set it to 20 or 30 minutes and use that time to focus my complete attention on my work.
Usually, a little notification will be heard when the timer runs out, then you can take a break and reset it.
I also noticed that this encourages me to write faster because I feel I have to get as much done as possible within that time period.
So, it’s a cool and simple trick that you can use to be more productive working from home!
It’s also good for tracking work hours!
Tip #3. Ask for Constructive Feedback:
If you’re working on a project, whether it’s an article or a new website, it’s always important to ask for feedback.
I know you probably don’t want people to judge your projects too harshly, but I have found that constructive feedback can really improve your business.
Of course, the problem is finding people who want to take a look at your projects and provide some feedback.
There are a number of forums where you can create a new post and ask for advice.
The problem is that anyone can comment on those posts so it’s not certain that you’ll receive comments from experienced people.
In Wealthy Affiliate, there’s a feature called Site Feedback, which allows people to request and submit feedback on other people’s websites.
It’s a feature I use quite often, and it has provided me with a lot of extremely useful insight into how people react when they land on my website.
You’ll need a premium account to access this feature, but if you can create a free account and take a look at the other features and training material.
Here’s our Wealthy Affiliate Review to see what the Free Membership and Premium Membership provide online entrepreneurs. It’s my #1 online resource for a reason.
Tip # 4. Drink Something That Has High Energy!
I’m pretty much useless without coffee, and I feel so much more productive when I drink coffee, it’s my fuel.
Of course, not everyone drinks coffee, so feel free to find an alternative (I do not recommend red-bull or similar energy-drinks!).
Some people like to drink tea, and if that works for you then by all means go ahead.
I discovered it’s a subtle psychological motivation trick to have a drink next to you and take a sip every once in awhile.
Give it a shot, maybe even something like juice can work too!
Tip # 5. Work When You Feel The Most Focused:
Everyone has a different time of day when they feel focused and productive.
For some people it’s early in the morning while others are only able to function during the evenings.
Finding your ideal time to work is important because it means you’ll get more done in less time.
That’s the beauty of working from home, we can make our own schedule, so we can configure it to our personal preferences.
Personally, I like to work in the evenings, I feel more focused, but that’s just me.
I have also discovered that exercise provides a nice new boost of energy and helps center me before I work on my site or write content.
Conclusion On Being More Productive Working From Home:
To summarize, if you’re wondering how to be more productive working from home, take these tips and implement them into your daily routine and you will see a positive impact.
There are many other tips too, and some that you will have to discover on your own by trying new things!
But these few simple tips should make it easier for you to be more productive working from home and you’ll be able to reach your goals.
Of course, the most important thing is to find like-minded people who share your goals, and that’s where Wealthy Affiliate comes into the picture.
It helps to have like minded people keep you motivated and thinking outside the box.
Wealthy Affiliate is an awesome community based online business training center that’s full of awesome training material and members!
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And as always, if you liked the article, feel free to share it and leave a comment. And if you have your own ideas on how to be more productive working from home, we’re all ears!
Love your ideas to be more creative working from home. We have built a website and are working with a different group than the one you recommend. We have spent a lot of money getting where we are and have yet to see any returns. Wish I had found your information sooner.
Hi Jim,
I think the key to your success is learning to drive targeted traffic to what you sell online. I’ve created a simple guide that I use to teach people how to do this and it’s totally free.
Use these strategies and learn to target your niche audience (click this link to get our free eBook), then you see higher sales conversions and much more traffic.
Thanks for your kind feedback,
Todd
Hi, just the page I was looking for and out of your 5 tips every single one of them is spot on! Well done mate. I always found that you need to take regular breaks mainly due to the fact that those working on our own will most likely become distracted more so than people who have other staff and collueges around them.
Very true Michael, I think to help you or anyone else who has a hard time staying focuses should try the structured training program that Wealthy Affiliate offers.
It’s easy to wake up, start on the next class and complete the tasks to move on to the next lesson. It takes most people 2 – 9 months to go through the program, but well worth it because it will give you that structure as well as by the time you’re done, you’ll have a really solid base to your online business created.
Thanks,
Todd
Thank you for your suggestions, Todd. A few years ago I worked from home full-time for about 8 years and it was a good run. It would have been nice to have had your suggestions then, but if that happens again, I will know where to go.
There were times when I would actually dress like I was going somewhere even though I was going in the other room because I think I felt and sounded more professional if I were dressed.
That may be crazy and I didn’t do it a lot;; ;only when it counted. Anyway, thank you for the useful information on how to be more productive working from home.
Wow Nathan, maybe that was just part of your adjusting to working at home, I kind of know what you mean though. It’s like it gives it a little more purpose.
For me, I’m in my pj’s or most comfortable clothing with a cup of joe and I like to take time doing something physical; standing, yoga, stretches, etc., but if you want to be more productive working at home, give yourself a set schedule, review your goals, and balance life to maintain your health and happiness.
Best,
Todd
Hello, Todd!
I love your tip about the timer! It’s something I’m definitely going to start trying! I have a hard time staying on top of things, especially with a baby and in the middle of moving back and forth.
I am also a member of Wealthy Affiliate and their Site Feedback definitely helps a lot! Very highly quality and honestly the Premium membership is worth every penny.
I hope to read more great content from you!!
-Heather M.
Hi Heather,
Thanks for the awesome feedback. One trick I learned with Wealthy Affiliate was to take the clock and give yourself 30 minutes and write out a post idea as fast as you can (this was an actual bootcamp assignment).
So I did it about my experience of finding fake products on Amazon. I wrote it in 30 minutes, took another 2 hours to edit, add photos, optimize the post and find my targeted keywords.
The post went pig ranking for anything remotely related to “Does Amazon Sell Fakes/Fake Products/Counterfeits/etc. and it’s in the top 3 positions in Google.
For years now it gets 4,000 to 6,000 unique visits per month. How’s that for results from a 30 minute timer assignment.
Point being, use it ever now and then, especially when you’re having writers block.
Cheers,
Todd
Hello There! I’m interested in the working from home as well! One question I have is : How did you get social network icons on your website so people can share your post?
I love your post, these key points will help me with my new online business venture, I’ve been having trouble working, I feel like it’s a lot of information to put out on my websites, but taking short breaks, work when your focused and motivated, and drinking high energy drinks-COFFEE- are really great tips!
Thank you!!
Hi Brittney,
Thanks for your feedback. Can I encourage you to just work at one website at a time. Unless they’re related to one another, I’d work on one site at a time until I get that site profitable.
Social sharing plugins can be added to a site with social sharing plugin’s for free or through a theme. Most professional/paid themes include this, you just have to put together your social profile.
Here’s a post on influencing your website with a social presence. It might help you out.
Here’s one other thing I think you should here. Start this home based business of yours using a proven educational system and take this experience like you’re going back to college.
Just take it one day at a time, be a sponge and absorb the information and then take action on what you learn. Give it time to grow and then keep working at it.
As your site grows the traffic and income will grow and you can really develop something special.
Here’s a post on how long it takes to let you know what you’re in for.
Best,
Todd
Some really helpful tips here, thank you for sharing them, Todd! I find points number 1, 2 and 4 really effective for me to be more productive when working from home. I neglect to do them sometimes so this acts as a really good reminder.
I also try to exercise every morning as I find that it gives me energy and helps me focus better, so I can vouch for the effectiveness of that!
Right on Nigel, I think I should have made 6 lessons on how to be more productive working from home and included a section just for exercise.
There’s so much physiological evidence on how effective exercise is at improving our mental capabilities and emotional disposition, but at least the main points are coming across well.
Thanks,
Todd