Transition to Work From Home: 6 Hacks for Max Productivity!

This is my 2nd week of working from home, away from my 9 to 5 job in the office.

Let me tell you, during week 1, I almost called Human Resources on myself.

**This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases (at no additional cost to you)!**

1. It’s so much harder to stay focused at home. There are a million things that I could choose to do when I’m here.
2. This workspace hasn’t been designed for optimum productivity.
3. I don’t have all of the work tools that I used to have.
   There are no machines, folders, files, office reminders, emailing system, etc

Well, unfortunately, in this situation, I am HR. HR is me.

So I’ve had to change things up to make this transition to work from home possible.

Here’s what I’m doing to create a work from home routine that maximizes productivity and focus.

6 Hacks for Transitioning to Work From Home

1. An Ergonomically Sound Office Chair

At the office, it was my companys job to provide an ergonomically sound work environment.

I took that for granted because after transitioning home, I used any chair, couch and bed around.

My upper back and neck definitely paid the price for a chair that doesn’t properly support my back.

Time to buy a new chair.

This ergonomically supportive chair is an easy buy from Amazon without breaking the bank.

To optimize your entire workspace, here are the details on creating a fully ergonomic work environment.

2. Bring the essentials “to work” every day

Yes, your things are “easily” accessible when you work from home but if you have to get up every time you need a cup of water, your focus is sure to suffer.

Breaking your train of thought to retrieve something disrupts your train of thought and makes your tasks take longer because you have to reengage over and over.

At the beginning of each day, bring your essentials like you would if you were going to work outside of the house.

Try not to forget these things:

• Water
• Snacks
• Coffee or Tea
• Glasses
• Tissue
• Chapstick
• Chargers (for the phone and computer)

3. Develop an effective paper organization system

Having stuff all over your workspace is not conducive to a good workflow.

Transitioning home with all of the documents and materials that you used to have in the office can be overwhelming. But, getting the paper clutter under control is a game changer for time management!

I’m going to create a post with the best desk organization products that I’ve tried but in the meantime, read up on how to create a home filing system for tips on organizing paper clutter at home.

4. Make things more comfortable

One benefit of working from home is that you can customize your environment to your liking and yours alone.

One thing that I used to hate about the office is that someone always wanted it colder than I liked. I am far less productive when I’m shivering compared to when I am warm.

Now, I keep a space heater in my home office for optimum temperature control.

And around here, the dress code includes fuzzy sock shoes and a blanket.

Aromatherapy is also a big thing for me and while I couldn’t light candles in the office, I can do so at home.

Productivity automatically skyrocketed!

Take advantage of the opportunity to maximize your comfort.

5. A new way to remind yourself of meetings and deadlines.

Oh my, I sure do miss Outlook scheduling.

Now that no one is around to remind you of meetings, it’s time to take reminders into your own hands.

In addition to reminders, it’s also important to keep something around so that you can jot down things that pop into your head.

I am currently trying new methods for organization.

I am using a Whiteboard to keep track of goals and deadlines.

There is also the option of using a gorgeous planner or a desk calendar. One could also use Google Calendars in many of the same ways that they can use Outlook.

6. A plan for your breaks

It is incredibly easy for that 30-minute break to turn into 60 minutes…2 hours…. a whole afternoon off.

Between cooking, the opportunity to take a nap, running errands and other things, it is crazy easy to get carried away at home.

Some tips for not letting the time get away from you is to:

• Set a timer
• Ask someone to call you and keep you accountable
• Do NOT work during lunch. Allow yourself to relax so that you feel refreshed when you return to work.
• Don’t schedule an unrealistic amount of things to complete during the time you’ve set aside for your break. Be realistic!

---

With these tips and slight changes, I look forward to making my transition to work from home much much easier.

What do you do to improve focus and productivity while working from home?