Working from home can be highly productive and rewarding if you stay organized. It’s easy for life stuff like laundry or that TV show you love to blend into your workday. Having an organized workspace can be a total game-changer, not just for getting stuff done, but also for keeping stress levels low and maintaining some balance between work and real life.
Here are 10 ways to get organized working from home.
Designate a Workspace
Have a dedicated area for your work- even if it’s a small desk in the corner. I have a friend who used to work at her kitchen table. She could see out into the street – so she would watch the walkers/runners in the morning. She finally made her spare bedroom into an office and her productivity skyrocketed.
Your workspace should also be ergonomic. Spend the money on a comfortable chair and quality desk. Keep your desk clutter free and away from as many distractions as possible. Having a specific place to work in your home cuts down on distractions and helps you focus better.
Create a Daily Routine
I am big on having a morning routine to kick start your day! Positive morning routines can include exercise, journaling, or even meditating. Maintaining regular work hours will help you stick to a consistent start and end time. This technique will help you tremendously in keeping your work and personal life separate. Getting dressed and out of your PJ’s will help your mind shift into “work mode”.
Use Productivity Tools
You might like to keep it old school with pen and paper- or you may discover that you like using task management apps. To stay organized, try apps like Trello, Asana, or Todoist. For time tracking, apps like Toggl or Clockify can help you monitor how you spend your time. For Calendar Scheduling, Google Calendar or Outlook can help you plan meetings and set deadlines.
Set Clear Goals
Starting your day without clear objectives is like you getting in your car and not knowing where you are going to drive to. Begin your work day with writing down 2-3 key tasks you need to accomplish each day. These are also known as your Most Important Tasks. For weekly planning, you should ideally review your priorities at the start of every week. For large projects, break them down into manageable tasks and then schedule specific blocks within the week to work on them.
Minimize Distractions
It’s important to establish boundaries; let your family members or roommates know your work hours. Use “Do Not Disturb” mode on your devices so you are not constantly interrupted. On my laptop, I have to place tabs over the news notifications in the bottom left hand corner of my screen. I am not able to disable these notifications, so I cover them up!
Focus techniques like the Pomodoro method will help you be so much more productive! The Pomodoro method is an approach where you work for 25 minutes- and then take a 5- minute break. Learn more about this technique!
There are times where the distractions can be very difficult to eliminate. Unfortunately, in my neighborhood there are a lot of barking dogs. In this case, I use noise cancelling headphones which do help lessen the noise I hear from the dogs barking.
Take Breaks
Taking 5-10 minute breaks every hour will help you to recharge. These types of breaks also work well with the Pomodoro Technique! On these breaks is a great time to get up and stretch and do physical activity. This will help to avoid stiffness. You can also opt to go outside – get fresh air to clear your mind.
Separate Work from Personal Life
Stay with that end time when your work day is done. Close the laptop and walk away when you finish working. This also includes turning off email or Slack notifications, etc. after hours. A wind down routine can hep you transition to personal time – like reading or going for a walk. You need to protect your downtime so you don’t get burned out. I exercise in the morning before I start work- but a friend of mine who works from home will go for a mountain bike ride directly after work.
Keep Your Workspace Organized
Staying organized is truly centered around your workspace. Take the time to declutter daily. Spend 5 minutes tidying your desk at the end of each day. It’s nice to be able to start your day with a clean desk. Use a variety of storage solutions to keep piles of paperwork off your desk. Shelves and filing systems to keep things neat. Whenever possible, digitize your documents: Scan and save files to reduce paper clutter.
Keeping your workspace tidy is about creating a mindset that says, ‘I’m focused and ready to tackle the day.’
Prioritize Self-Care
Maintain work-life balance. When working from home it’s easier to just keep working. Be sure to prioritize your personal time so you don’t get burnt out.
Review your productivity weekly to identify what’s working or needs improvement. Be flexible in adapting to unforeseen changes. Prioritize physical activity, even brief stretches during the day. I get up early enough so I can exercise before I start working. Working out is part of my morning routine. Maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated. Get adequate sleep to ensure peak performance and focus.
Summary- How To Get Organized Working From Home
Now that you’ve got these handy tips, you’re set to transform your home office into an organized powerhouse. Whether it’s setting up a specific workspace or mastering your calendar, every small step counts. Stay consistent, stay focused, and you’ll see positive changes in your productivity, stress levels, and overall well being.
Are there other approaches you take to staying organized with a work from home schedule?