Stay Productive with 75+ Work from Home Tips for Success & Productivity

What is "Work from Home"?

"Work from Home" is a phrase that has become increasingly popular as more organizations transition to remote work structures. This is a setup that allows employees to perform their job duties from their homes, rather than commuting to a traditional office environment. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to work from home has become a necessity for many businesses seeking to maintain operations while keeping their employees safe.

What is the Difference Between Working from Home and Working in an Office?

The office workspace usually provides a structured environment with access to necessary resources and direct contact with colleagues and superiors. There's often a set schedule, clear demarcation of personal and professional boundaries, and an established work culture.

In contrast, remote workers face a different set of challenges. You're in control of your workspace, your schedule, and your resources. This brings in a new level of freedom, but also responsibility. It can be a tricky transition for those accustomed to traditional office environments.

When you work in an office, the boundaries between your professional and personal life are clearly defined. The transition between home and work is marked by a commute. However, when you work remotely, these boundaries can blur, leading to struggles with work-life balance.

Without the commute or office work culture, working from home can make you feel isolated, or tempt you to fall into habits that are not conducive to productivity, such as working extended hours or allowing household tasks to interrupt your workday.

Over 75 Work from Home and Remote Work Tips for Success

Here's the list of our top work from home tips to help you stay productive, distraction free, get work done, keep a healthy work environment, and balance your work time, work day, or work life with your home life:

Your Remote Worker Mindset (Avoiding Pajamas, Staying Productive, and Having a Home Work Culture)

Get Dressed

Get out of your pajamas! Dressing for work can put you in the right mindset and help you focus.

Take a Shower

Start your day of work with a refreshing shower to get you in a productive mindset.

Use Technology to Stay Connected

Tools like Zoom, Slack, and Google Drive can help.

Stay off Personal Tasks

Try to avoid doing laundry or dishes during work hours.

Keep Hydrated

Drink plenty of water to stay productive throughout the day.

Use a Planner or Digital Calendar

Plan your day and week in advance.

Prioritize Your Health

Make sure to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

Eat Healthy

Plan your meals and snacks to avoid reaching for unhealthy options.

Use Video Calls

It’s a more personal way to communicate with a coworker or remote employees than emails.

Practice Good Posture

It can prevent body aches and pains. Have a back check routine and make sure to follow it!

Stay Connected

Regular check-ins with colleagues can help to feel part of the team.

Make Use of Technology

Use productivity tools and apps to stay organized. Even if you prefer to work physically it's important to maintain core processes (like communication) in a modern digital format.

Utilize Cloud Storage

This ensures that all your work files are backed up and accessible.

Leverage Virtual Assistants

Tools like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant can be surprisingly helpful. Whether you work alone or with a team having a virtual assistant can optimize your work flow.

Overcommunicate

When working remotely, it’s better to overcommunicate than undercommunicate.

Don't Forget to Socialize

Engage in virtual social activities to maintain relationships with colleagues. When working in the office, it's much easier to social, so remember to reach out to coworkers occasionally to stay motivated socially.

Manage Your Energy

Work on important tasks when you're most energic. It can be hard to keep working for multiple hours. By starting with important tasks, you'll have less stress if you're tired later in the day.

Learn to Say No

Don't feel obliged to be always available just because you're at home.

Stretch Regularly

Break up long periods of sitting with stretching or moving around. Make sure to take 2-3 breaks that are focused on getting physical activity!

Delegate Tasks

Don't be afraid to delegate tasks if you have too much on your plate.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness exercises can help reduce stress and increase focus. Mindfulness can help you stay productive even when moments seem dark and negative.

Learn New Skills

Use this time to learn new skills that can help in your job. This will amplify the type of work you're able to do and can help you get things done faster.

Stay Positive

Keep a positive attitude to keep morale high.

Be Patient with Yourself

It takes time to adjust to a new working setup. This is especially true if you're working from home for the first time.

Practice Self-Care

Don't neglect your mental and physical health. Working at home can feel overly cyclical if you don't practice bolstering your physical, mental, and even spiritual health.

Be Kind to Yourself

Don't beat yourself up over productivity dips.

Make the Most of Your Flexibility

Use your flexibility to your advantage. Remember, you have the freedom to work where, when, and how you want; use this to create a powerful flow.

Stay Organized

Use tools and apps to stay organized.

Always Back Up Your Work

Never risk losing your work.

Use a Separate Work Phone

If possible, separate your personal and work communications.

Use a Project Management Tool

Tools like Trello or Asana can help manage your tasks. Having a centralized task or project management tool can greatly amplify your work arrangement.

Be Proactive

Take the initiative in communications and work tasks. Don't keep wondering how to work from your home and start putting thoughts into practice.

Optimizing How You Work Remotely (Setting Work Hours, Knowing Your Work Time, and Staying Productive While Working)

Stick to a Routine

Establish a work schedule and stick to it.

Prioritize Tasks

Start with the most critical tasks each day.

Set Work Hours

Clearly define your start and end times. Know when the work day begins, you're at work.

Avoid Multitasking

Focus on one task at a time. It can be tempting to work on multiple tasks at once however this can lead to lower productivity and over time potentially focus issues.

Avoid Social Media

It's easy to get distracted, so try to stay away from non-work related sites during work hours. It's a good idea to disable social media notifications if possible.

Take Regular Breaks

Short breaks can improve mental agility.

Set Boundaries

Make sure people outside of work, such as your roommates, friends, and family, understand your work hours.

Turn off Notifications

To improve focus, turn off non-essential notifications (especially social media).

Have a Cut-off Time

Avoid work bleed into your personal time. Know when it's time to put work down. Try to make it clear at the same time each day when it's time to put work away.

Set Goals

Have clear, achievable goals for each day. People work best when they have goals that they're pursuing.

Have a Morning Routine

This can signal to your brain that it’s time to start work.

Take a Lunch Break

Step away from your work and recharge during lunch. Know that working from home allows for fantastic lunches!

Have a To-do List

Make work "easy" by outlining what you want to achieve each day.

Keep a Timesheet

Record your tasks to understand how your time is spent.

Develop a Shutdown Routine

Have a routine to end the day and transition to personal time.

Try the Pomodoro Technique

Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. It's especially helpful for getting back to work after a break!

Update Your Work from Home Policy

Make sure you're clear about your company's remote work policy.

Find Your Peak Hours

Understand when you're most productive, then work when you're body is the most energized, plus schedule your work accordingly.

Create Checklists

They can help you stay on top of tasks. Think of this as a quick way to break down tasks into manage-able subtasks.

Learn to Unplug

Set specific times to be away from screens.

Reward Yourself

Celebrate your wins, no matter how small.

Reflect on Your Work

Regularly evaluate your work-from-home practices to see what can be improved

Your Workspace & Home Office (Maintaining a Distraction Free Space in Your Home)

Create a Dedicated Workspace

Don't work from your bed! This space could be a spare room or a specific corner of your living room.

Invest in Comfortable Office Furniture

An ergonomic chair and desk are a great way to work from home in comfort.

Keep Your Workspace Tidy

An organized workspace can enhance productivity.

Use Headphones

If you live in a noisy environment, you might need to get noise-canceling headphones which can be a lifesaver.

Use Natural Light

If possible, set up your workspace near a window.

Avoid Working from Bed

This can hurt your productivity and your sleep

Invest in Good Internet

A reliable internet connection is worth the investment.

Stand While You Work

If possible, use a standing desk to avoid sitting all day.

Take Care of Your Eyes

Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Use a VPN

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) will secure your internet connection.

Don't Forget About Cybersecurity

Make sure your home network is secure, and you're practicing safe online habits.

Use Noise-Generating Apps

For some, work without noise is distracting! If you find silence too distracting, try ambient sound apps.

Listen to Music

Background music can boost your mood and productivity.

Customize Your Workspace

Make your workspace a place you enjoy being in by adding things you love to the walls.

Use an External Monitor

If possible, use a larger screen to reduce eye strain.

Have an Ergonomic Setup

This can help prevent repetitive strain injuries.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

They can save you a lot of time.

Get Fresh Air

Open a window or step outside to get some fresh air.

Have Virtual Coffee Breaks

Socializing is important for mental health.

Try Coworking Spaces

If you miss the office environment, try working from a coworking space.

Create a Vision Board

A board with your goals can keep you motivated.

Use Two-Factor Authentication

It's an extra layer of security for your accounts.

How did you like our work from home tips for productivity?

We hope our extensive collection of work from home tips will be instrumental in boosting your productivity as you navigate the world of remote work. Our guide has been curated with the sole purpose to help you stay productive, whether you are a seasoned remote worker or making your initial foray into working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of our tips is designed to make a tangible difference in how you approach your work-from-home routine and enhance your overall productivity.

Have any tips for working from home or stories on how you work-from-home?

We recognize that everyone has unique work habits, and what works best for one might not work as well for another. As such, we’d love to hear about your experiences and strategies. If you have your own work from home tips for success, or if you’ve found certain strategies particularly effective in helping you stay productive while working remotely, please share them with us. Your insights will not only enrich our understanding, but also benefit other readers who are seeking to optimize their work-from-home experiences.

BONUS: We're serious! Take a shower and get dressed!

This might seem obvious, but it’s surprisingly tempting to stay in pajamas when your workspace is just a few steps away from your bed. However, sticking to your normal morning routine - like taking a shower and getting dressed as if you’re heading to the office - can signal to your brain that it's time to switch into work mode. It’s one of those simple tips that will help you stay productive, maintaining a mental distinction between your home life and work time. So resist the temptation of the pajama-clad workday and get ready just as you would on a regular day at the office.

Staying productive when working from home can indeed be a challenge, but with the right approach and strategies, it can become a rewarding experience. It's about finding a rhythm that suits your work style, creating a workspace that encourages focus, and understanding when to step back and recharge.

These are challenging times for everyone, and COVID-19 has brought a seismic shift in the way we work. But remember, you're not alone. We're all in this together, navigating this new normal. So, let’s make the most of it and continue to learn, adapt, and thrive in our work-from-home setups.