When working from your home, it is very easy to get distracted. Although those who work from home tend to be more productive, it is extremely easy to get distracted by the hustle and bustle of your home or some other distraction. To avoid getting distracted, your home office must be designed to limit distractions.
Another way to limit distractions is to have items that help boost productivity. If you are uncomfortable sitting at your desk or if a particular piece of furniture is too bright and distracting, you may get distracted, reducing your productivity. Due to this, you must purchase items for your home office that will help to stay on track and allow you to complete your tasks within the set deadline.
How to Boost Productivity in Your Home Office
When setting up your home office, it is essential to keep a few factors in mind. For example, suppose your home office is set in a location with a lot of distractions. In that case, you will find it extremely hard to maintain focus. There are a few tips you can employ to boost productivity, and here are a few of them.
A Quiet Location
When setting up your home office, ensure that you pick a quiet location. Your office must be far away from the hustle and bustle of your home. Most people concentrate a lot better when it is completely silent. If you are one of them, try to choose a room as far away from the main living space as possible. This ensures that no noise leaks in when you are working.
A basement can be a perfect space to convert into an office since it is often detached from your home. Having a room with heavy doors may also help make your area quiet.
Focus on One Task at a Time
When working, it is natural that you try to juggle multiple projects simultaneously. Although it may seem like you are getting more done, what actually happens is that you get overwhelmed. A better way to be more productive is to focus on one task at a time. Juggling tasks may result in specific tasks remaining incomplete or being done at a lower quality.
If you focus on one at a time, you can give it your full attention, meaning you will be able to do the task well. By having one task at hand, you are entirely focused on it, which helps boost your productivity. It is also motivating because you feel like you are progressing every time you get one task checked off of your list.
Take Regular Breaks
Although taking breaks might feel counterintuitive to boosting productivity, breaks actually motivate you to work hard so that you can enjoy your break fully. You harm your productivity when you neglect to give yourself some time off when you are working.
You can become fatigued and burnt out from focusing for too long. This would also result in having less motivation and energy to finish your tasks.
When working, ensure that you give yourself several short breaks throughout your work day. Some workplaces have a schedule with mandatory breaks. When working from home, you may feel like you can power through without breaks but ensure that you take time out to re-energize yourself.
Focus on Your Biggest Tasks First
When working, you may be compelled to do smaller tasks first because they seem easy and doable, but that may harm your productivity. Focusing on your most significant and most time-consuming tasks first helps you stay focused and motivated. With bigger tasks out the way, you feel motivated to finish all of your smaller tasks, and they seem like a breeze.
When you enter your home office, plan out which tasks you plan on doing first. Then start working, so you have a goal of what you want to achieve and in which order.
Use the Two-Minute Rule
The two-minute rule is incredibly helpful in avoiding a buildup of tasks. If there are small tasks that you have been putting off, they may distract you from the bigger tasks you are working on. The best way to deal with such tasks is to apply the two-minute rule. If a task only takes two minutes to complete, you should do it instead of putting it off.
Small tasks are also an essential part of your overall work productivity. So, focusing on small tasks between the larger ones can help you take a break from a more extensive product and get smaller tasks out of the way.
Limit Interruptions
Interruptions can really sideline you from the task you are working on. In a home office, you may get interrupted more often than in an office, which is why you should take all the necessary steps to ensure that you are left alone while you work.
There are several strategies that you can employ to limit interruptions. You can close your door, hang up a sign, use noise-canceling headphones, and more. You can also set up a time dedicated to working when no one can interrupt you unless there is an emergency.
Exercise
Exercise is vital for your body, and when you work for long hours, you may become stiff from sitting or standing in the same position. Physical activity has been shown to positively benefit mental health and focus. During your breaks, aim to get out of the house. You can go for a run or do some simple yoga in your office. You can also place some workout gear in your home office to exercise during your break. This will help you stay fit as you work from home.
Items To Boost Your Productivity
There are many items available in markets and online that can help you boost your productivity and get all of your tasks done efficiently. Usually, they help you get organized, limit distractions, and feel healthier and comfortable, boosting productivity. Here are a few items you can consider purchasing.
Desk
Having a suitable home office desk is extremely important in boosting productivity. When you have a high-quality desk, you can arrange all your essentials on it and work in peace. Some people prefer sitting desks, but recently, standing desks have become extremely popular. Standing desks ensure you stay on your feet and active as you work. They are much better for your posture as you are no longer slumped over your desk.
When picking a standing desk, ensure you pick one that can be converted into a standing and a standard desk. Such desks are much more comfortable and versatile as they allow you to choose a comfortable position. An autonomous standing desk enables you to adjust the height to set it where you feel most comfortable, which is why it may be the best option.
Here are some pros and cons of having a standing desk.
| Pros | Cons |
| They help stretch out your muscles. | You may get tired easily, and your knees and feet can get sore. |
| They improve your posture. | They increase the risk of varicose veins. |
| They help improve productivity and overall alertness. |
An Ergonomic Office Chair
Having an ergonomic desk chair is extremely important when you work from home. If you work long hours, you need to have a chair that supports your back at multiple points to feel comfortable. The more comfortable you are in your chair, the easier it will be to focus on your tasks.
Ensure that you purchase a chair that offers adequate lumbar support. It is also essential for your chair to be adjustable. Ideally, you should be able to adjust the height, headrest, and armrest position. An adjustable chair allows you to make it custom to your frame so that you feel comfortable.
It is also essential to have a good posture when you sit. Ensure that your feet are on the ground and that your knees are at a 90-degree angle. To sit in such a manner requires your chair to be of the perfect height, which is why you should purchase an adjustable office chair.
Optimal Lighting
Having good lighting in your home office is crucial. You should invest in good wall and desk lights, so you don’t need to strain your eyes. Having ample lighting can significantly affect your productivity. If possible, you should set up your desk in a spot that gets natural lighting, but if that is not possible, ensure you have sufficient lighting. Good lighting can greatly help prevent discomfort while working.
Desk Lamp
If you prefer more soft and ambient lighting, ensure that you have a relatively bright desk lamp. An LED lamp is usually the best because it covers the whole spectrum, allowing you to see colors accurately. Ensure that your light is neither too bright nor too dull because either can cause eye strain, which may result in a headache. You should also choose the tone of your lamp carefully. Choose a desk lamp with multiple options so you can adjust it depending on the task you are working on and your mood.
Reliable & Efficient Wi-Fi Adapter
Nothing is more annoying than having spotty internet that makes it extremely hard to complete your work. Ensure that you have a reliable and efficient Wi-Fi adapter. A strong Wi-Fi connection can reduce the time it takes for websites to load, meaning you can get your work done faster. If you have to wait a couple of minutes each time you open a website to search for something, chances are that you will lose concentration.
Additionally, the internet keeps us connected to others. Having a reliable Wi-Fi connection ensures you are always reachable and can submit your tasks on time.
A Good Computer or Laptop
When working from your home office, you have the freedom to choose whichever setup suits you best. You can have a desktop set up with a monitor, or you can have a laptop. Ensure that whichever you choose is powerful so that you can get your tasks done smoothly.
If you tend to travel or don’t like sitting in one place and working, a laptop is a much better choice. You can easily change your position and take your work with you, making it a much more flexible option.
Laptop Stand
If you own a laptop, having a laptop stand is a must. When working on laptops for extended periods, you may start to hunch to look at the screen. This can cause posture problems, and you may feel pain in your neck and shoulder. To avoid these issues, you should purchase a laptop stand.
This accessory elevates your laptop, so it is closer to your eye level, making it much easier to see the screen. With a laptop stand, you don’t need to hunch over, and your posture also improves.
A laptop stand is also pretty portable, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go.
Noise-Canceling Headphones With Microphone
If your home office is located in a noisy area of your home, you should invest in noise-canceling headphones. They help block out all the noise from the outside so you can fully focus on your tasks. You are more productive when there are limited distractions because you are in the zone and fully absorbed in your task.
Notepad
Even if you work digitally, having a notepad or a physical piece of paper to write down your to-do lists can help make your tasks more concrete. Many people feel much more motivated when they write down their to-do lists because crossing out items on a list helps boost motivation and productivity. Additionally, it feels satisfying, so you should consider purchasing a notepad and a pen alongside it. Place it within your reach so you can always refer to it.
Printer and Scanners
Having physical copies of certain documents often becomes necessary, which is why having a printer and scanner is a huge game-changer. Many people are more productive when working on a hard copy of a document. If you are one of them, a scanner and printer hybrid can help you print out your digital documents so that you can annotate them. A scanner allows you to re-upload the annotated version onto your drive so that it remains safe.
A printer and scanner combo can really help boost your productivity because it offers flexibility. You can choose whether you want to work on a hardcopy document or a soft copy.
File Cabinet
A file cabinet is an excellent addition to your home office. It allows you to arrange and store all your hardcopy documents, meaning you won’t lose any important papers. Additionally, a file cabinet makes it extremely easy to find older documents when needed, making your workflow much more streamlined. Ensure that you have arranged your papers properly.
When purchasing a file cabinet, ensure that you get one that matches the theme of your room so that it does not stick out and be distracting.
Wireless Phone Charger
Most people use their phones to communicate with other employees and clients when they work from home. If you constantly use your phone, it can run out of charge quickly, so you should have a phone charger on hand. The downside of using a wireless phone charger is that you must plug your phone in.
A wireless phone charger allows you to simply place your phone on the charging pad, and it automatically starts charging. This makes it extremely easy to keep your phone charged at all times.
An Office Couch
Having an office couch can also help enhance your productivity. When you get tired of sitting or standing at your desk, an office couch can provide a comfortable place to relocate to and continue working.
Ensure that the office couch you purchase is comfortable and long-lasting. Additionally, choose one that fits your office size and aesthetics-wise. Buying too big of a couch can reduce your space, making it difficult to navigate around your office.
FAQs
How can I improve productivity in my home office?
To improve productivity, set up your office to be productive. Ensure that there are minimal distractions and that the noise is minimum. It is also essential to make sure you are comfortable, so you should pay special attention to the kind of chair and desk you purchase. Investing in light exercise equipment and taking breaks while working is also essential.
What are the essentials for a home office?
If you are setting up a home office, ensure that you have a powerful computer, an ergonomic chair, a desk, high-speed internet, noise-canceling headphones, and a few decor items to make the place seem like your own.
How can you enhance productivity?
To improve your productivity, you should remember to keep things simple. Aim to work on one task at a time and resist the urge to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. You should minimize time-wasting activities such as browsing through your phone. Additionally, you should adopt the two-minute rule, which will allow you to get all your tasks done in time.
Conclusion
When you have a home office, staying productive can be difficult because you are aware that you are at home. Due to this, it is crucial that you stay focused during work time and maximize your productivity. To do so, you must eliminate all possible distractions. There are also many items that can help boost your productivity. These items include a good computer, a high-quality desk, noise-canceling headphones, and more.