There’s no doubt that working from home can be really beneficial. Perhaps the biggest bonus is that you can achieve a healthy work-life balance whilst cutting the costs (and carbon emissions) of traditional commuting. But at the same time, it can be difficult to remain motivated when you work from home, especially without the energy and buzz of a traditional office and the engagement of colleagues and a surrounding team.
As we all get to grips with the changing world of work and the growth of homeworking, these five tips can be useful for staying motivated.
1. Create your homeworking space
The key to a happy home office is to declutter. Whether you’re lucky enough to have your own home office or simply clear a space from your dining table each morning, make it clean, clear and clutter-free to get you in the right frame of mind. Make enough room for your laptop, to-do list, any necessary papers or desk items and perhaps something nice to look at for inspiration and rest, such as a houseplant or treasured photo. Setting up your space for success is key to keeping your focus.
2. Dress the part
A work from home dress code can help you to face the world and to feel productive. When you wear leisure wear or your pyjamas, you simply won’t feel in the mood for work. You don’t need to wear a full suit, but something that mentally tells you that you are working will put you in the right frame of mind. It will also ensure you look your best on those online team calls.
3. Engage, engage, engage
Working from home can easily become isolating, resulting in a cycle whereby you avoid people, so look for opportunities to engage whenever you find them. Dial into team calls, suggest after-work in-person social activities and take all chances to physically be with your team, even if that means travelling to an office once a month. If you can blend your at-home and office-based work in a hybrid model, you are more likely to reap the benefits of both.
4. Remind yourself of the benefits
It’s easy to procrastinate when you’re working solo, so really embrace the benefits of home working, optimise your time and remember why homeworking is great. For example, you could use your previous commute time to enjoy a walk or a cycle locally before work – saying hello to the neighbours and stopping for a chat while you do.
Take a coffee break and read an offline magazine or journal for ten minutes to recharge you, and do something active at lunch (or opt for a power nap!). After you power down for the day, get outdoors for a mood-boosting dose of natural light and schedule in a class, walk, social occasion or something you enjoy.
5. Keep a vision board
A beautiful vision board can be a great visual tool for realising your goals and dreams. Look for pictures that inspire and motivate you – even if you aren’t sure why. Create a powerful and engaging board that you can see from your home desk and look at it whenever your energy or motivation flags. This can also help to remind you why you are working in your role, why you do what you do and what your goals are. What better way to connect yourself with your productivity and motivation?
Get productive
Working from home can be great, but it’s easy to get into a slump. Try these tips any time you feel like you need a motivation boost and you’ll notice the difference, fast!
