6 work from home tips to stay motivated

As the world adjusts to our “new norm” – businesses have shone a light on the many benefits of working from home.

Though the change has been stark for many, teleworking has proven to have significant benefits on worker productivity, cost savings (for both employers and employees), and overall work-life balance. In fact, in a recent poll of 1000 Australians, 86% stated the desire to work from home permanently; with 76% saying their employers were open to such arrangements, and 22% say they’d already been offered a work-from-home option.

The new setup, however, isn’t flawless – with motivation and drive often being a challenge. This is easily overcome with the right routines and practices, maintaining one’s discipline to put forth their best teleworking performance. 

Here are six work-from-home tips to stay motivated and on top of your game:

1. Establish a dedicated work space.
2. Work on an organised schedule.
3. Practice self-care.
4. Boost productivity levels by working in blocks.
5. Check in with your boss or colleagues.
6. Keep distractions to a minimum.

1. Establish a dedicated workspace.

The first trick to staying motivated as a “teleworker” is to find yourself a private room or space, dedicating this exclusively to your work. Having this helps one more easily transition into “work mode”, rather than simply attempting to work in bed or on the sofa – where temptations to sleep or slack off abound.

While having the resources for your own home office is ideal, this can also be easily achieved by converting an existing room (or spare corner) into your personal workspace. The dining room, kitchen, garage, or basement are popular choices, though ensuring privacy and minimal distractions is also crucial. 

Once you’ve chosen your dedicated workspace, be sure to set up adequate lighting and ergonomic furniture. This allows for optimum comfort, boosting productivity levels in turn.

2. Work on an organised schedule.

Your next step is to create an organised productivity schedule, helping you stay on top of daily tasks, projects, and deadlines for the week.

Having daily objectives planned out can help set the momentum for each work day, keeping procrastination to a minimum and ensuring all assignments are completed in a timely manner. Additionally, be sure to prioritise each task, ensuring all urgent ones are kept top of mind.

According to executive coach and management professor, Monique Valcour, it can help to have at least one item in your daily to-do list that you truly enjoy and look forward to. This gives you that daily boost of engagement – and thus, motivation – to get through the day as productively as possible.

3. Practice self-care.

Though tempting to spend the day in your pyjamas, studies have found a link between drive, performance, and productivity – and the way we dress for work. Donning a comfortable, yet professional outfit can effectively place you in a better mental space to get through the day’s tasks (not to mention helping you look presentable during video calls).

Breaks are also necessary in maintaining your productivity levels throughout the day, helping you avoid potential burnout. Take a breather if you need it; this allows you to return to your tasks with a re-focused, rejuvenated state of mind.

Additionally, taking the occasional break to exercise, stretch, or go for a walk can help you prevent repetitive muscle or joint strain.

4. Boost productivity levels by working in blocks.

Working “in blocks” is a popular method for working “smarter”, rather than harder.

While there are various methods that implement this, the core idea is sectioning your workload into bite-sized, brief segments throughout the day, giving yourself scheduled breaks in-between. This often results in higher levels of motivation and productivity, as it prevents one from getting easily tired of their task while ensuring continuous progress.

One common way to practice this is through the “10-minute rule”, where individuals work for a set 10 minutes at a time, giving themselves short breaks in-between. Another is the Pomodoro technique, where one works in 25-minute spurts with 5-minute breaks in-between. After four intervals, they then take a longer break of 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Check in with your boss or colleagues.

Keeping up to date with your team can do wonders for morale and productivity. This not only grants you that necessary share of workplace interaction you may need for the day (helping alleviate feelings of isolation or loneliness), it also keeps you on top of project progress, updates, and where you stand in terms of workload.

Maintaining communication with your boss and colleagues also gives you the opportunity to voice concerns where necessary. If you’re struggling with your current tasks, schedule, or work arrangements, consider being honest with your team and have an idea of how they can help or offer support.

6. Keep distractions to a minimum.

Finally, be sure to rid your work environment of as many distractions as possible.

While establishing an exclusive work area is critical, be sure to select an appropriate space – one free of potential interruptions and temptations to procrastinate. It may be best to steer clear of the lounge room, for example; helping you stave off the urge to explore the latest Netflix catalogue.

Setting clear boundaries with family members, housemates, or your spouse can also help you stay focused. Be sure to let them know when you’re “on the clock”, closing your door or setting up a “do not disturb sign”, if necessary. By maintaining a tidy, quiet environment dedicated to the day’s work, you’ll ensure high levels of motivation and productivity throughout the day.

Social media marketing short courses you can do from home

With remote work offering us the flexibility to pursue other, personal commitments on the side – why not take the extra time to build your skills?

Upskilled currently offers two short courses in social media marketing to help you upskill from the comfort of your home. Marketing professionals or people wanting to be skilled in social media can enjoy the following short courses:

• SMC-ESSENTIALS – Short Course in Social Media Essentials, equipping its students with basic skills in social media marketing, helping them build an effective online brand across the internet’s most popular platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn), boosting their digital presence in today’s increasingly virtualised era.

• SMC-Intensive - Short Course in Social Media Intensive is a short, sharp and highly practical 10-week course for those wanting to learn how to develop and implement a social media marketing strategy that delivers successful outcomes. Students will also learn other areas in marketing like copywriting, email marketing and personal branding.

​​Through their digital delivery, employees have the opportunity of learning online and tailoring their training around work needs and personal schedule.

Ana Isabel Alonsagay Ana Isabel Alonsagay freelance writer and founder of anaisabel.org, a blog on lifestyle, culture, and entertainment. When she isn't pinned to her keyboard, you can find her at your local cinema, blasting Broadway soundtracks or attending cosplay conventions.