Staying On Task While Working From Home
When your boss first tells you that you have the option of working from home it sounds like the Hallelujah Chorus ringing in your ears. You imagine snuggling up in bed, logging on to your computer and enjoying a relaxing and peaceful day in your sweatpants, away from the office distractions.
However, by the time lunch rolls around you feel as though your mind can't concentrate from one thing to the next and you're so antsy you could run a marathon.
There are a variety of methods that can help you to form a solution to this problem. The first thing you should do is set up an area that is strictly meant for working. You are not likely to do your best work if you are laying on the couch in front of the television as opposed to sitting at a desk.
On the same note, consider showering and getting ready for the day as usual. If your body is used to a hot shower in the morning to wake up, don't expect to skip the shower for more sleep and still experience the same mental clarity.
Making a to-do list at the beginning of every day is a great way to get going and remain on task. Consider formulating a list based on priority so that the essentials will get done and you will not get distracted in between tasks.
Finally, allow yourself some time for breaks. If you were in the office you would likely be walking around to stretch your legs or grabbing coffee. Your brain has time to switch gears during these periods and you should allow the same while at home. You can not expect to stay focused the entire day if you lock yourself into one bedroom. Try to find a balance between focused work and break time.
