Squirrel! 9 Ways to Stay Focused When Working from Home

Creating a work-friendly workspace is one of the most effective ways to ensure focus.

A dedicated workspace is a specific area in the home that is used solely for work purposes. It is free from sounds and activity that can easily pull you away from your work.

It's really important to create physical boundaries between work and personal life. These boundaries can save you from workaholic tendencies and effectively separate play from work!

Communicating clear boundaries is essential for maintaining focus and increasing productivity.

It's essential to determine your own boundaries, and even more important to get buy-in from others to recognize your boundaries.

This could mean setting specific work hours, turning off work-related devices after hours, or communicating availability to colleagues and family members during the workday.

By setting clear boundaries, remote workers can ensure that they are focused on work during work hours and able to enjoy their personal life outside of work.

Do you know your highest productivity times during the day?

Are you a morning-person or a night-owl?

When you learn your ultradian performance rhythms, you can effectively plan the best times to do your work.

Instead of struggling throughout the day and pushing yourself, you can coordinate your work habits with your natural rhythms.

By following ultradian cycles, you can work in tune with your specific energy patterns that occur naturally throughout the day.

To maintain focus throughout your day, consider a few very effective time-management practices.

There are different techniques remote workers can use to help focus:

a) the Pomodoro Technique, which involves breaking work into 25-minute intervals followed by short breaks.

b) other techniques include the Eisenhower Matrix, which helps prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance, and

c) the "Eat the Frog" technique, which involves tackling the most challenging task first thing in the morning. It all boils down to this: identify one important task for the day and do it first.

There is a great temptation to multitask … and we all do it.

Several leading studies have proven that multitasking can actually decrease productivity and increase the chance of errors.

Instead of trying to do several things at once, it's recommended that remote workers focus on one task at a time. More things will get done and completed in a timely fashion as well as done accurately.

Image suggestion: A picture of a person with multiple screens and devices, representing the temptation to multitask.

Prolonged working without considering its impact on health and the ability to focus is unsustainable.

Want a sure-fire way to increase focus and improve productivity while ensuring a healthy routine?

Taking short breaks throughout the day can help reduce stress, increase creativity, and boost overall performance.

Managers should encourage remote workers to take a several breaks throughout the day.

Digital interruptions can be incredibly distracting and interfere with focus.

Examples of distractions may include social media alerts, email notifications, and instant messaging pop-ups.

Remote workers should consider using tools such as website blockers or notification silencers to minimize digital distractions during work hours.

Another effective way to reduce the overall "noise" is to determine a schedule to check all messaging tools at set hours of the day.

Instead of having the tools control you, make sure you make the tools work for you!

Managing your environment can also help eliminate distractions and increase focus.

This means paying attention to factors such as:

• Good lighting: Adequate lighting can prevent eye strain and headaches.
• Ergonomic setup: A comfortable chair, desk, and computer setup can prevent back pain, neck pain, and other repetitive strain injuries.
• Noise control: A quiet working environment helps to reduce distractions and maintain focus.
• Proper ventilation: A well-ventilated workspace can improve air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory problems.
• Secure internet connection: A secure internet connection can protect against cyber threats and ensure privacy.
• Adequate space: Sufficient space is necessary to accommodate equipment, minimize clutter, and maintain a professional appearance.

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for improving focus, being present and fully engaged in the tasks at hand.

Remote workers can practice meditation or improve their social, emotional and positivity actions that could include:

• Practice gratitude: Take a few moments at the start or end of each day and reflect on what you are grateful for ... whether it's something big or small. Doing this can help shift your mindset towards positivity and cultivate a more optimistic outlook.
• Build social connections: Make an effort to connect with colleagues on a personal level, whether it's through small talk or more meaningful conversations. Building social connections at work can improve job satisfaction, create a sense of belonging resulting in a deeper focus.
• Celebrate accomplishments: Celebrate individual and team accomplishments to boost morale and create a positive work culture. This can help promote a sense of pride and motivation in your work.
• Offer support: Look for opportunities to support your colleagues, whether it's through offering assistance or simply listening. Acts of kindness and compassion can help build trust, strengthen relationships in the workplace and ultimately help with your focus on what really matters.