Were you forced to work from home due to the global coronavirus crisis? The initial joy of being able to work from home can be quickly replaced by worry, a lack of motivation, and never-ending distractions. How on earth do you get things done when there are so many distractions?

While home working can deliver a lot of benefits, there are a lot of challenges it presents too. One of the most challenging things I face from time to time is my home to-do list keeps me from focusing on my work. However, one positive is having my own bathroom, a stocked kitchen, and being able to tackle some tasks on my breaks.

Here, you’ll discover some useful tips you can follow when it comes to transitioning to working from home.

1. Set up a quiet working space

With all of the distractions at home, it can be tough to concentrate on work. It is especially true if you have kids at home or your partner. So, if you want to ensure you can get things done in peace, it’s worth setting up a quiet working space.

Try and use a room that isn’t used during the day, for example, a guest bedroom. Place a sign on the door when you’re trying to work to let others know not to disturb you. Make sure the workspace is comfortable, too, as you won’t get a lot done if you aren’t comfortable.

2. Start as early as possible

One of the main challenges that can come from working from home is delaying the time you usually start. It’s tempting to have a lie-in and take longer to relax in the morning before starting. However, this only zaps your productivity.

If you want to ensure you stay productive, you’ll want to start as early as possible. The positive side to this is that the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll get to finish. Then you have more time for fun in the sun!

3. Set social media limits

You’ll have a lot more time to check in on social media when you haven’t got the boss breathing down your neck. However, it’s easy to waste hours using social media accounts if you aren’t careful.

Many home workers find it useful to set limits on their social media use during working hours. It could be merely committing to using it during a specific time, for example. Having restrictions in place makes you more aware of how much you’re using it.

I have two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute break. My 15-minute breaks I will do for social media and switching over the wash or starting a load of wash. I, however, can take a whole thirty minutes to fold a giant load, so I wait until I am off the clock. So, on my thirty-minute break, I often tackle cleaning one thing in the house like the basement or vacuuming the whole house, so when I get off, I can quickly mop the floors before I get the boys. By the time I get back, the floor is dry, and the house is clean.

4. Maintain your usual “get ready” routine

It’s essential to try and maintain your usual routine. It means getting ready for work in the same way you usually do. So, wake up at the same time, have your usual cup of coffee, and get dressed in your work clothes. It’s incredible how much of a difference this can make to your productivity.

Every morning I get up, shower, and start a load of wash before heading downstairs to make coffee, pack lunches, and empty the dishwasher. It helps me, so I am not thinking about it all day, or each time I got on break, I am reminded by the dishwasher needing to be emptied when I walk through the kitchen.

Top 4 Tips to Transitioning to working from home

These are just a few tips you can follow when transitioning to working from home. It can be a big adjustment, but there are lots of tools and advice out there to help. Trying to maintain your usual routine is one of the best things you can do during these changing times. It may go back to the way it used to be, or this may become your new normal. Embrace these times.

If you have other tips for transitioning to working from home please do share below in the comments. I would love to hear them!

Sincerely,