How to boost your productivity if you’re working from home

With many of us forced to leave the office and work from home, maintaining productivity can be difficult. With so many distractions, whether it’s your family, housemates or your phone buzzing with group chats, staying focused can be challenging.

But don’t stress, we can help you get into the flow. Here are some top tips to boost productivity and steam through your workday from home.

Develop a routine

While it may be easy to roll out of bed and start work in your pyjamas, taking the time to prepare for the day can work wonders for your mindset. Everyone operates differently, and some may be more productive wearing trackies than others, so experiment with what works best for you. Getting dressed as you would for a day at the office and having a designated work station can be a great place to start.

Morning meditations, daily exercise and time blocking can also be excellent inclusions, and can really help your clarity and focus.

Set clear boundaries with the people you live with

Unless you live alone, you’ll be sharing your space with other people. For parents with young children, co-existing together while the kids are learning at home can be extremely challenging. That’s why it’s important to set clear boundaries with your family or housemates.

Let them know when you’re in do-not-disturb mode, and when is good for mixing work and play. Perhaps put a sign on the office door to make it easy for the kids to recognise. If you live with other adults, you could also share your schedule with them so they’re in the know. This will help the people living under your roof get to know your routine, and help you avoid distractions.

Make wellness as a priority

It can be easy to forget to take a break and look after yourself while you’re at home, which may leave you feeling a little flat and demotivated. That’s why it’s important to leave your screen for a bit to do what makes you feel good throughout the day. A walk around the block, a quick workout or a video call with a friend can be a great refresher and have a positive impact on your mental and physical wellbeing.

Get your home office setup

Having the right setup can help you be as productive at home as you would be in the office. What’s your setup like at work? Do you have access to this equipment at home? You may need something like a second screen, keyboard, ergonomic chair or a mouse. You may be able to borrow this equipment from the office, or if you do need to purchase anything, you could claim it as a tax deduction.

Having the right level of cover for your home office setup is important too. GIO’s Home and Contents Insurance includes cover for home office items, which can help get you up and running again if anything were to happen to your home setup.

Explore GIO Home and Contents Insurance

Read more:

• What to consider when running a business from home
• The different types of Business Insurance
• 5 tax deductions people forget

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance.

This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.