Working from home: The battle against distraction

One of the first things that my mind went to when I had my accident was my job. I used to have, on average, one day working from home a week but no more. Anyone who has worked from home will know that one of the biggest challenges is productivity and avoiding those distraction that your place is littered with. I want to share 5 methods that I have used to make sure I stay productive working from home; everyone is different so these might not all apply to you but anyway, here goes!

1. Get out of bed

I know it sounds so simple but the temptation with working from home is to base your entire day from your bed. A massive no-no. Not only can this lead to a number of problems such as trouble sleeping and strain injuries on your back and neck, it also crushes your productivity. Your motivation simply will not be there and you will be far too tempted to down tools and have a nap. So unless you absolutely can't - get up, get a tea or coffee and head to your desk or table.

2. Dress as though you're going to the office

Now I'm not saying that you've got to put on a three piece suit or your smartest shoes, but getting dressed like you mean business helps you do just that. Have a shower, do your hair and get dressed in trousers and shirt. Sit down at your computer and get ready to smash the day. Nobody has ever conquered the world in their PJs, although believe me I have tried.

3. Bin your to do list

The first half an hour of my day I spend adding all the things I need to achieve that day into my Outlook calendar, leaving an hour for lunch of course. This will keep you focused throughout the day and will ping you reminders that make sure you get all your tasks finished. You will hear the alert tone in your sleep, but your boss will love you.

4. Get a social media blocker

This might not apply to you if you use social media for work like I do, but I sure as hell still use this app to block the alerts on my personal phone. Social media is one of the best tools that we have ever been given but it also wastes countless hours that we might have otherwise spent working. I use Our Pact but there are plenty of others out there. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. will all still be working at 5pm when you can browse guilt free and with a glass of wine.

5. Limit your coffee breaks

Coffee. The lifeblood of industry. Coffee can be the boost you need to get started or to drag you through that lull just after lunch, but it can also be a disaster for your concentration. I once drank 5 cups in one morning, probably because there was no boss watching me and counting. After the 5th dose I couldn't concentrate on anything I was so wired. If you love the taste but can't hack the caffeine then just invest in a nice decaff option; I drink Kenco Millicano Caff Free in the evenings to stop sleepless, caffeine fueled nights. 

So there you go, 5 ways I stay productive when working from home. Do you have any ways that you do it? Let me know in the comments and I'll publish another 5 tips next week.

See you all at the top :)