Improve Your Work-from-Home Schedule/Routine

 Staying focused throughout the day while working from home as a home based entrepreneur can be difficult. There are so many distractions as you work from home and it’s worse when you are a ‘full-time’ home based entrepreneur. Those who work partially from home only deal with the distractions for the few days they work from home. 

Distractions can affect your productivity and your efficiency and this negatively affects your business as a whole.

If you are a new entrepreneur in the world of a home business or a business that requires you to work from home, these distractions are more apparent.  However, that does not mean that experienced entrepreneurs do not struggle with productivity. 

One significant factor that can set you up for success while working from a home environment is starting the day right. Starting on the ‘right note’. 

And starting on the right note takes time and planning. It also involves you understanding yourself: knowing when you are more productive, knowing your concentration levels, and knowing what works for you and what doesn’t ,etc. 

These tips are great and will help you maintain your productivity and stay on track as you work from home. 

1.Your schedule is everything, maintain regular hours.

When working from home, your schedule is everything. You need to have your own schedule: a schedule that works for you. Don’t stick to the 9-5 mindset if it doesn’t work for you. Get into a schedule that works for you and goes with your productivity clock. 

If you are more productive in the morning, let your schedule start earlier. If you are more productive in the afternoon, set your schedule in line to that.

Whatever schedule you set, make sure it’s regular in terms of hours and stick to it. 

Most people who work from home tend to work longer hours than office workers. And many entrepreneurs tend to work longer hours frequently. Sometimes, longer hours can push you to procrastination, fatigue and burn out.   Know when to start and when to stop working to avoid burnout. 

2.Freshen Your mornings 

There are some days you will wake up feeling slightly sluggish even when you have had enough sleep. You need to find ways to clear your head on such mornings. 

One way to do that is going for a short walk, get some early morning fresh air and reset. Asses your performance of the previous day and think about your goals for the day. 

3.Plan your work for the day (workflow)

Make sure you make a breakdown of everything you need get done by the end of the day. Do this every morning before you start working. 

Planning your workflow is one of the best ways to stay efficient. 

As you plan your workflow, set time for each task and start with the easier tasks first. Make sure you prioritize your tasks for he day – the must to do. 

Again, don’t put too much into your to do list. Plan on what can be achieved by the time you need to clock-off for the day. 

Also, consider creating some time at the end of your work day to evaluate what you have and haven’t done and see what needs to be the next day. 

4.Plan your breaks

You cannot keep your mind busy every minute of your work schedule. Your mind needs a break, you need to catch a breath. 

Throughout your work schedule, set aside some few-minutes breaks to stretch. Make some tea, grab a snack, or enjoy the fresh air outside. 

As you get back to work, you will be refreshed and your concentration increased. 

5. Remember your workstation – make it bright and comfortable

Whether you have a big space or a small space at home for your work area, optimizing it will help boost your productivity. 

If you have a big space, setting a room aside for your home office is important. Somewhere you can shut the door and get your work done away from household distractions. Also, this works best if your living situation accommodates more than one. 

If you don’t have a big space that has not been delivered divided by rooms and doors, set up a nice place in your house for your office space. Set it up in a spot where you can avoid distractions.

Make sure you set time aside to clean up your space regularly as small spaces get cluttered really fast and this clutter can be a distraction. You are trying to get some work done but you turn around and see the dirty dishes in your kitchen sink. 

Make sure you have a comfortable desk and a chair that supports your back comfortably. Remember to equip your workstation with the equipment and supplies you need to run your business efficiently. Whether it’s packing paper, stickers, printing papers, wrappers, etc. 

6.Look for ways to grow professionally

Professional development is important for you as a business owner who works from home. 

While working from home, days, weeks and months go by very fast especially when you are busy. And with this, you can easily forget to set time aside for your professional development.

Look for way to boost your professionalism in line with your business. Whether it’s taking an online course on digital marketing, customer relations, doing tax returns, etc. Look for learning platforms and sign up for their newsletters. Just look for ways to advance your skills and to learn new skills. 

Final Thoughts…

As you work from home, establish a routine that works for you, from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed. 

If you are new to working from home, it might take some time to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. However, once you figure that out, it will just be a matter of maintaining your productivity.