10 Ways We Stay Productive

At TECHeGO, our team is part of the 3.5 million Americans who work from home everyday. While we think working from home is great and improves productivity, it can sometimes blur the line between professional work time and personal time. We work on tons of projects throughout the day (and sometimes night) and can tell you from firsthand experience that the only thing keeping you from being productive is you.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to stay productive while working from home.

1. Start your day before you start work. It’s easy to roll out of bed and start working right away when you work from home. Try spending some time warming up your mind and body in the morning with exercise, meditation, journaling, or reading. When you do this before work, you’re likely to start off on a productive note.
2. Eat breakfast. The food you eat will make you more or less productive. Begin each day by loading up on fiber and protein. A good breakfast will give you an energy boost and keep you full throughout the entire morning. Keep up healthy eating habits throughout the day to sustain your productivity.
3. Plan out your day. Take a few minutes at the beginning of each day to write a to-do list. It doesn’t need to be an hour-by-hour agenda, just a list of what you need to accomplish for the day. Keep the list next to you to stay on task.
4. Stay hydrated. Did you know that hydration boosts brain power and can help you beat afternoon fatigue? The tiredness you feel in the middle of the work day is often a symptom of dehydration. Keep a glass of water by your desk to combat exhaustion.
5. Play music. Having ambient or instrumental music playing while you work enhances performance and helps you stay focused. We love to use focus@will - music that is scientifically proven to engage with your brain and increase your attention span.
6. Take breaks, not distractions. Phones, social media, personal appointments, family, and cats are all distractions when you work from home. Instead of allowing yourself to be a little distracted throughout the entire day, set aside time for breaks. Having time set aside for breaks is a great way to stay on task when you're working. Breaks are also good if you've been staring at a problem for too long.
7. Don’t push deadlines. Make sure you stay accountable to the deadlines set for you and the deadlines you set for yourself. Once you start pushing deadlines, it can be a difficult habit to break. If you have a hard time meeting deadlines, try doing your least favorite task first.
8. Separate your work space. Have a room or space designated only for working. When you enter that space, you know you are there to work and it’s easier to ignore all the things you want to do around your house.
9. Change up your scenery. While it’s important to have a designated workspace, it’s also nice to change things up every now and then. If you’re having a hard time concentrating at home or you get antsy, move to a coffee shop or library. Having light chatter in the background helps some people concentrate.
10. Get enough sleep. It’s not surprising that a good night’s rest helps you be more productive the next day. Adults who sleep eight hours a night can even be up to 20% more productive in the workplace.

Do you have any other ways to stay productive while at work?