Whether you love it or hate it, working remotely isn’t going anywhere. The popularity among those who value a healthy work-life balance and employers who want to save money on office space has meant that this relatively new way of working is here to stay. If you are a remote worker, you may have noticed your productivity take a dip as a result of being out of the office. Here are some useful tips to help you keep focused.
Identify Your Distractions
Not everyone’s attention will be snagged by the same distractions or to the same extent. You must pay attention to what draws you away from your work and when. Knowing these is the first step to getting ahead of it and blocking distractions before they happen. Take a note of every impulse you feel to stop working when it isn’t a designated break. By keeping track of it like this, you will stop the urge from taking control, and you can make a more mindful decision to get back to work.
Make Your Home Office More Suitable
If you only recently became a remote worker, you may not currently have a suitable space within your own home for high levels of productivity. A home office might have been at the bottom of your list of priorities until now, so it’s understandable if you are having to work in strange parts of your home. Set aside some time to create a dedicated workspace that has no distractions. This means moving out of the bedroom or living room and into a space where productivity is the main goal, not entertainment or relaxation.
Rent an Office
One of the best ways to get a grip on your productivity and focus is to take yourself out of the home setting completely. Renting an office or external workspace of any kind will help to divide work and leisure in your mind, helping you to concentrate when it matters. Alternative workspaces aren’t difficult to find. There is commercial property to rent in Berkhamsted as well as in other locations, depending on your needs. It is usually best to visit beforehand to make sure it’s somewhere you can easily imagine being able to focus. There is no point renting an office space if you are just as distracted as you would be at home.
Work With Your Team
Unless you are completely solo in your work, it’s likely that you could make more opportunities to meet up with colleagues. Working with other people, even if it’s on separate projects, can be much better for concentration than working alone. Although you may find yourselves chatting every now and then, it’s not as easy to start scrolling on social media or daydreaming if your coworkers are there to point it out to you.
Practice Self-Discipline
Ultimately, the best cure to distractions while working remotely is making an effort to increase your self-discipline. It might not be easy, but the rewards are long-lasting.