Need Help Staying Inspired & Focused? Here Are 10+ Productivity Hacks to Stay Motivated When You Work From Home 

by Kelsey Arrington on Aug 11, 2022

Are you having trouble staying productive or focused in the virtual office? If so, that’s perfectly normal. Remote work-life comes with its fair share of ups and downs. And, sometimes, it’s hard to stay motivated! We get it. That’s why we wrote this post! Keep reading to discover 10+ productivity hacks remote workers can use to stay inspired and maintain a healthy work-life balance. 

In This Post:

• 3 Tips to Maintain Balance When You Work From Home
• 5 Common Distractions to Avoid
• 5 Work From Home Hacks to Stay Motivated

3 Tips to Maintain Balance When You Work From Home 

Upkeeping a healthy work-life balance can be difficult for designers, developers, and creative professionals alike. And it can be increasingly difficult for those working remotely. 

Wondering how to stay productive and balanced while working remotely?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution! But here are 3 tips to maintain balance and eliminate unnecessary stress throughout your remote workday: 

• Make a clear distinction between work mode and personal time by having consistent work hours. Even if you need to work overtime on occasion, it’s important to know when to call it quits and spend time focusing on home life. Find what works for you and create a boundary so you don’t suffer from overwork or burnout. 
• Use productivity apps to track progress on your tasks and stay focused. Need help staying on top of everything? There’s likely a productivity platform for that. Need a recommendation for one? Head to this post for a list of productivity tools suited for remote work teams – you’ll find work-from-home gems that keep you focused on your company goals. 
• Check-in with your energy levels throughout the day. It can be hard to create balance as a remote worker. And, let’s face it, when you’re drained, it can impact your work mindset. That’s why tackling one task at a time and checking in with yourself throughout the day is important. Making sure to stay hydrated, take breaks, and maintain a connection with one’s daily life can help create balance in the virtual work environment. 

5 Common Distractions to Avoid 

It can be hard to avoid distractions when you’re a remote worker. But don’t fret! It is possible to stay focused on your to-do list, phone calls, virtual meetings, and all the important tasks you’re charged with. Want to know how to minimize distractions and stay connected to co-workers to tackle important tasks? Keep reading. Below are 5 common distractions to look out for while working from home.

Chatty family members or roommates. 

During working hours, it’s important to avoid wasting time. Don’t you agree? Are your family members or roommates on the same page? One way to increase productivity and limit background noise is to work in a different room than your family member or set up a dedicated workspace to create a healthy boundary while you work. 

Smartphones

Unless your job involves social media or you’re working on the go; it may be a good idea to limit time spent using your smartphone while on the clock. After all, smartphones are a major distraction and can lead to some pretty bad habits, such as scrolling through TikTok to avoid difficult tasks. 

Elaborate Meals or Long Lunch Outings 

One of the money-saving benefits of working from home is being able to eat a homecooked meal. While brain food is certainly crucial for cognitive performance, it is important to set appropriate boundaries when it comes to mealtime in the home office. 

As a general rule of thumb, avoid elaborate meals that require a lot of time spent sourcing or prepping the ingredients. And for those who choose to go out for lunch, try to plan outings strategically so you can get back to checking things off your to-do list as soon as possible. 

A Complicated or Messy Office Setup

It’s no surprise that when you work remotely, having a dedicated workspace can make all the difference in your productivity levels. But, did you know that your home office can also be a source of distraction? Well, it can be – especially if you have a complicated office-use schedule or the space itself is full of clutter. In either case, the office may be hindering you from completing all your tasks which can negate the many benefits that one can get reap from setting up a home office.

Hobbies That Are Best Suited for One’s Free Time

When you work remotely, it can be tempting to try to over-multitask. But, we advise against it! Instead of juggling your personal life, hobbies, work obligations, and Google calendar; try to focus on one task at a time. After all, remote working is just as serious as traditional, in-person work and other remote workers depend on you!

Resist the temptations to work on outside projects. Instead, reward yourself by working on your passion projects after work hours or on weekends! 

5 WFH Hacks to Stay Motivated

1. Establish a morning routine. 

As cheesy as it may sound, morning can really set the tone for your workday – unless you work in the evenings, of course, then your work life may look a little different. But, in either case, establishing a routine is one hack that could help many remote workers feel a sense of groundedness during the busy work day. In terms of productivity hacks, this one requires the most introspection. After all, each person’s morning (or evening routine) will look a little bit different. From stretching to listening to music to journaling and everything in between; your morning routine can be whatever you make it. 

2. Use ergonomic furniture if possible. 

Okay, surely you’ve heard this tip before but it’s worth repeating. This may be one of the most simple productivity hacks but that doesn’t mean you should doubt how effective it can be. How can ergonomic furniture keep you motivated, you ask? 

Ergonomic pieces such as a standing desk may offer the opportunity to engage muscles that you may not normally engage throughout the work day and incorporate additional movement if you choose. But that’s not the only option. If a standing desk is not accessible for you, consider a laptop riser, or other ergonomic furniture pieces to make your home office more comfortable. 

Try yoga, meditation, exercise, or just get fresh air. 

Whether you working remotely for an organization or as your own boss, virtual work can take a toll on one’s physical and mental health. If you’re familiar with the feelings of burnout or want to stay calmer throughout the day; yoga or meditation may be right for you. The principles taught in both of those practices can be applied to one’s personal life to help them stay organized and excited to engage in their work. 

If a yoga routine or meditation practice is inaccessible for you; simply stepping out for a breath of fresh air during your work breaks can work wonders for your mood and health. After all, incorporating movement into your day can be beneficial for your mood, physical health, and mental health.

4. Incentivize certain tasks to stay motivated. 

Need a fun way to stay on task while working remotely? It’s okay if you do! Sometimes, it can be hard to focus – even the most diligent remote worker has those days from time to time. So, if you need an extra push to get through difficult tasks, consider what incentives are most likely to increase productivity. 

Reward yourself with better meals for lunchtime, a shopping trip after work, or a new desk ornament for your workspace. Incentivization is one of the easy productivity hacks to engage in because it relies on our internal reward system. 

5. Invest time in activities and hobbies outside of work.

When the remote work day is done, what do you do? Your answer to that question can help you pinpoint a solution to staying productive and motivated in the workplace. When work is done, do you ruminate on incomplete tasks or comments made in virtual meetings? Or, do you make time for yourself? 

Investing time in activities that you enjoy can help recharge for the next work day. It also can be a fun way to unwind on particularly stressful days – which is why it is one of the best productivity hacks remote workers can employ.