6 Surefire Ways to Boost WFH Motivation
Due to the coronavirus, more and more people are switching to virtual work. Many find working from home to be challenging and sometimes, pyjamas and a comfortable seat on the sofa just don't deliver the same type of motivation you get from workwear and an office chair.
If you are working remotely and you resonate to the above, here are some surefire ways to boost your motivation and make your productivity soar.
1. Create a Designated Workspace
You might be tempted to work in bed or sit on your couch in front of your the TV, but let's face it, you're not going to be very motivated to get work done and it will reduce your productivity level. Even though your bed might feel like a comfortable spot, why not create a dedicated home office to improve your ability to focus and brainstorm. The kitchen table or a desk in the corner of the living room might be better alternatives to your cosy bedroom. Make sure it’s well-lit, well-ventilated and you will be raring to go!
2. Create a Routine
Without a structured workday, time can easily get away from you and it might cause you to stay up later at night. Creating and maintaining some sort of routine allows you to follow the work you’ve done and know exactly what needs to be done next. For example, sitting down on your desk and having that first cup of your morning coffee or tea in that mug, could be the signal to start work and eventually triggering a morning routine. Try establishing a time to begin and end work. Don’t be afraid to readjust if need be! The idea behind this is to create a routine that works best for you to be productive, not your colleagues.
3. Make use of Small Blocks of Time
Blocking out small blocks of time and planning what you have to do during that timeframe can make big tasks feel more manageable and rewarding. I cannot recommend this enough! We all get so easily distracted nowadays. Having blocks of time dedicated to different tasks could really boost productivity - one block at a time! Besides, scheduling your time, this will also hold you more accountable and you will less likely procrastinate or get lost on the social media platforms.
4. Eliminate Distractions and Interruptions
If you find yourself checking Instagram, Facebook and YouTube whenever you are bored, this is for you. Social media platforms and the internet are both huge distractions. Nonetheless, you can stay motivated by eliminating the distractions and interruptions that you are experiencing. Simply mute your phone notifications or put your cell phone away until you complete a specific task. That way, you will not receive any alerts on your phone, neither will you be checking your favourite apps, text messaging and any other activities. Notifications OFF!
5. Eat a Real Nourishing Lunch
We know, the snacking. The junk food and snacking issues when you start working at home, especially if you're bored or feeling stressed. Instead of crossing out the completed tasks on your notebook, you ended up tossing empty potato chip bags in the trash bin. Why not eat healthy lunches? You can start with easy ready-to-eat salads from the supermarket, topped with nuts, fruits and some protein (I love paprika and garlic sauteed prawns!). Give yourself the nourishment to have consistent energy throughout the day and feel accomplished! Skip refined grains in processed foods that contribute to low energy levels. Rather, eat more energizing meals that include lean proteins, iron and complexed carbs.
6. Reward Yourself
Well, if you are like me, you might work best when you know there's a little reward waiting for you at the end of a stressful workday! For example, I will always tell myself that I can grab my favourite scones, pastries and desserts if I get my work done by 6 pm. Or rather, you can tell yourself that as soon as you finish preparing a presentation, you can have a cup of your favourite drink. Little incentives often go a long way, helping you to stay motivated and get work done efficiently.
Working from home is challenging and sometimes, it feels impossible to maintain the same levels of motivation you once had in the office. Follow some of these tips and you’ll see that they’ll help improve not just your work productivity but your overall mood. Take care and stay safe!
