How to Work Effectively From Home: 8 Tips To Stay Productive & Happy

Image Credit: Corinne Kutz on Unsplash

Following the recent Phase 2 on High Alert, many of us are back to WFH or HBL. While some hate it, there are actually a lot of people who look forward to the possibility of working from home even after the pandemic is over.

In a survey made by The Strait Times, 8 out of 10 Singaporean workers say they prefer working from home. Yet, while working from home gives a lot of flexibility and opportunity to become more productive, they also present a ton of challenges.

One of these challenges is staying focused. It’s one of the biggest barriers to having a productive day at home. The good news is there are things you can do to minimise distractions and maintain focus throughout your workday. Here’s how:

1. Invest in a Comfortable Office Chair

While we can’t always control our mood, we can control our environment. What tools you use and how you design your office can have a huge impact on your wellbeing. This is why it’s so important to upgrade your office tools, starting with your office chair.

Investing in a comfortable, ergonomic office chair will help you feel focused and motivated throughout the day. To fully concentrate at work, you have to block all external distractions. Numbness, physical strain, and tension from poor posture caused by a bad office chair can significantly affect your efficiency while working.

Ergomeister office chairs are designed to support the body while sitting. They’re also very comfortable thanks to the adjustable height, arms, and shoulder support. Ergomeister chairs allow you to spend many hours sitting without feeling any discomfort for maximum focus.

2. Don’t Multitask

Multitasking may seem like a good way to finish a lot of work in such a short time. But research shows that our brains aren’t actually made for it. In fact, multitasking is making workers less productive.

People who are regularly given several pieces of information all at once will always have trouble paying attention, recalling information, or completing them on time.

A better and more productive approach is to do one job at a time, or to “mono-task”. Mono-tasking eliminates the process of switching tasks which allows maximum focus on the present task.

Also, instead of multitasking, use time management techniques to increase your efficiency and performance. Here are time management hacks that can help:

• Use calendars and to-do-lists for reminders
• Block apps that distract you during work
• Manage your energy by knowing the time when you’re most focused and productive

3. Work in Well-Lit Rooms

Image Credit: Mikey Harris on Unsplash

Just as it’s important to focus on one task at a time, it’s also important to work under good lighting conditions. Light has a huge effect on our mental and physical well-being. According to science, natural light improves energy, mood, and alertness. You might find it helpful to consider the following when setting up your office:

• Place your desk near a window with plenty of natural light
• Get a desk lamp to avoid eye strain
• Install glass windows and doors so more light can flow in the room

4. Don’t Forget to Take Breaks!

The best thing about working from home is that you get unlimited untimed breaks. Breaks will help you reset and make sure you have enough mental energy to do the next task. Breaks also help your body recover from stress and improve work performance. So, next time you feel lost or frustrated, take a break. Here are the best ways to take a break while working from home:

• A few minutes of exercise after hours of long work will increase your energy and focus.
• Refueling your body with healthy snacks will keep your energy up
• Level up a skill (cooking, photography, art)
• Take a short walk
• Call friends or family
• Meditate

5. Structure Your Day

Create a schedule and stick with it. People who work from home for the first time usually have a hard time scheduling their time. This process is often sorted in worksheets or personal dashboards at the office. But if you work at home, managing your time is 100% your responsibility.

Segment tasks and create reminders when it’s time to do new tasks. Another important tip is to block time for email. Answering emails can take up hours of your time which is why it’s good to have a strategy for managing emails.

Having no structure is so mentally draining. With a schedule, you can establish priorities, prevent procrastination, and see your progress. A structured day also increases your motivation and passion for work.

6. Set Short and Long-Term Goals

Setting goals is key to having a successful work-from-home experience. By taking just a few minutes each day to write out your goals, daily objectives, and long-term plans you can establish direction and focus. You can use this knowledge to create small steps that if consistently done will help you achieve success.

Goal setting can also be overwhelming if done wrong. If you’ve set a lot of unrealistic goals, you may create unnecessary stress and pressure in your life. While some people thrive in stressful environments and pressure, others don’t. Your goal-setting abilities will play an important role in your future success.

7. Set Rules and Boundaries for People in Your Home

Working remotely means you’ll be home a lot. For some people, it can be hard to get things done with family around, especially if you have children. The number one reason most people are unable to stay focused is that they’re blurring the lines between work and personal life.

To keep your productivity levels in check, set some ground rules for other people in your house. Talk to your family about your work hours. You can also create a dedicated workspace where you will not be disturbed.

8. Connect

Whether you’re a freelancer or an employee working remotely, sometimes the lack of clients and colleagues to talk to can make you feel isolated. If you don’t find a way to communicate with other people, burnout and boredom can be almost inevitable.

Fortunately, there are numerous to connect now with your colleague. You don’t have to share an office together to enjoy good conversations. With the help of online collaboration tools and apps, you can talk and work throughout the day.

Create a better and more productive WFH experience with Ergomeister Office Chair. Get focused and motivated throughout the day while seated on our Ergonomic Office Chairs – FAEZ5ERG and FAEZ8ERG. While you continue to hustle, we will provide you the optimum support your body needs. Featuring premium adjustability features and superior lumbar support, our Ergomeister ergonomic office chair comes fully assembled with exclusive FREE delivery. Experience the true comfort when working from home with Ergomeister today.