DISCLOSURE: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase
Remote workers can find it more challenging to keep their productivity levels up. While it’s true they don’t have the distractions of an office to contend with, remote workers have to work a lot harder to motivate themselves to keep on working.
If you’re finding yourself in a bit of a productivity rut, particularly if you’re new to working from home, try these tips to get your productivity back on track.
Take regular breaks
Remote workers might be more tempted to skip the time away from the laptop and power through the work. However counter-intuitive it may seem to take a break when you’ve got deadlines looming, stepping away from your desk even for a few minutes will improve your focus and productivity. Research suggests taking regular breaks boost workers’ engagement, which is linked to being more productive.
Get moving!
Why not use one of your breaks to get some exercise in? As well as making you feel more awake at work, exercise gets more blood flowing to the brain, which sharpens your awareness.
Remote workers have the benefit of being able to spontaneously burst into exercise without being judged by colleagues. Try doing some high knees or star jumps for a few minutes (maybe while the kettle is boiling) and see how much better you feel when you get back to your desk.
Step away from your phone
Remote workers are probably more likely to be distracted by their phone given they don’t have disapproving looks from bosses to contend with if they do get caught scrolling Instagram.
Phones constantly demand our attention, which can have an adverse effect on our work. While we can’t ditch our phones altogether, try turning off your notifications or using a blocker app like Forest to limit screen time could help you stay focused.
Listen to classical music
Before you call me a grandma, hear me out. Whenever I’m in a work rut and can’t focus my mind, I stick on some classical music (my favourites are Classic FM and Scala Radio) and then somehow, as if by magic, I can actually get work done. Tchaikovsky has dug me out of many holes, let me tell you. Science backs this up as well.
Talk to other remote workers
Sometimes you just need to let off steam. If something is stressing you out or making you angry, it’s going to sap your productivity. Pick up the phone or jump on a Zoom call to a pal or colleague and talk it out.
