Tips And Tricks To Stay Focused When Working From Home

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Seattle Pacific University alumni and Vanderbilt grad student Elizabeth Dong works in her lab at Medical Research Building III at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.(Vanderbilt University / John Russell)

Working remotely from home is quite different from working in a traditional office setup, and while there are several alluring perks of remote working and freelancing. However, there are also a few notable downfalls. Initially, staying productive and focused while being near the comfort of your sofa can prove to be quite the challenge. However, the following tips and tricks will help you stay focused when working from as a remote employee or a freelancer.

Solutions To Manage Your Schedule

Even though most freelancers can take advantage of an exceptionally flexible schedule, this aspect of remote employment can lead you astray. Many freelancers and remote employees find themselves pushing off projects and tasks until the last minute, creating overwhelming stress. Bloom provides project management assistance that will help you stay on top of projects and your schedule as a freelancer. Taking advantage of software platforms and apps that will keep you up to date with your day is crucial for freelancers to stay focused and stray from distractions.

Define Your Workspace

Whether you are a designer, a writer, an event planner, or even a photographer, you should have a defined workspace in your home. Even though it may seem plausible to work at the dining table or relax on the sofa while getting some work done, establishing a workspace will ensure you can stay focused. Regardless of where your home office is set up in your home, dedicating an area to your work will keep you motivated.

Create Strict Work Hours

Just because freelancers and some remote workers have flexible schedules, does not mean you should keep no set working hours. Rather than scattering work hours oddly throughout the day, it is best to determine strict work hours for weekdays and make a point of sticking to them. Getting into a strict routine will benefit your ability to stay productive and focused while working from the comfort of your home.

Set Goals And Targets

If you are freelancing, you probably already know that you are in control of your earning potential. However, setting daily, weekly, and monthly goals and targets will help keep you focused. Even though you may assume a monthly target is enough, setting daily goals will help you identify potential areas of your work that may be lacking. Therefore, you will be able to get back on track long before the problem becomes a worrying issue. You should set productivity goals and targets as well as income goals and targets.

The Importance Of Boundaries

Far too many people assume that freelancers and remote workers hardly have to work. This can become an issue when friends believe you are available simply because you are home. Even if you are tempted to enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend or family member in the middle of the day, it is crucial to set boundaries to ensure you are not subject to distractions during your work hours. Defining boundaries is as important as defining your workspace.

 

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Jeremy Kaplan

A 50-something year old lifestyle, career, and education blogger based in Atlanta, Georgia. Years of experience in the office setting working with others and still loving it year-after-year.

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