How to Stay Focused and Motivated While Working from Home

Nov 10 2023

Tips For Staying Focused as a Remote Worker

During the global pandemic, working from home became the new normal for millions of workers around the world. Years later, many employers and employees are continuing to see the benefits of remote work and are allowing staff to stay home. 

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of remote work while providing tips and tricks for staying motivated and productive when working from home. Keep reading to find out what they are!

The Pros and Cons of Remote Work For Employees

There are so many obvious benefits to having a “work from home” arrangement, but like anything in life, it has both pros and cons. One of the main cons is finding ways to remain focused and productive outside of the office. 

Below, we’ve listed some of the numerous pros and cons when it comes to working remotely that you should consider before committing to this type of arrangement:

Pros:

• No commute time
• More energy at the start and end of the day
• The ability to start your work day early 
• More flexibility
• Better work-life balance
• More time spent with friends and family
• You don’t have to take time off work when you have a contractor or repairman coming by
  

Cons:

• Holding staff accountable can be a struggle
• Difficulty bonding and connecting with co-workers
• It can be more difficult to focus and be productive

Tips For Improving Focus When Working Remotely

Staying focused while working from home can be incredibly challenging because you are working in a less structured environment, don’t have coworkers around to hold you accountable, and are surrounded by distractions. However, that’s not to say that being productive and motivated while working from home is an unattainable goal. Here are some tips that will help you improve your focus so you can make remote work work for you.

Ask For a Hybrid Setup

If you find yourself struggling to connect with your team and are feeling sluggish and unmotivated at home, ask your manager if it’s possible to return to the office one to two days per week. Having time away from home and getting to work with your team in person for part of the week allows you to enjoy the benefits of remote work while improving your focus and morale.

Get Ready Every Morning

One of the biggest benefits of working remotely is that you don’t have to put on formal clothing every day and can simply hop out of bed and get straight to work. However, making an effort to shower and get dressed every day just as if you were going to the office can help put you in a more productive mindset and will set you up for success.

Use a Timer to Time Your Tasks

If you find yourself getting distracted and taking too long to complete tasks at home, set a timer for the length of time it would normally take you to complete that task in an office setting. Knowing that the clock is literally ticking will challenge you to stay on track and give you a goal to work towards. 

Limit Distractions

Smartphones are one of the biggest distractions when it comes to working from home. Fortunately, there are tons of ways to minimize your smartphone use during work hours. Go into your phone’s settings and turn off all non-essential notifications, use websites and app blockers if needed, and communicate boundaries with family or housemates. If you still struggle with your smartphone usage, try deleting social media apps during the week so you don’t feel tempted to use them. 

Commit to Regular Check-Ins

Every day or at least twice a week, have a quick 15-minute touchpoint with your team where you can go over where things are at with your projects and deliverables and discuss any roadblocks you may be encountering.

Progress Reports

While this may feel tedious, writing down what you accomplished at the end of every day is a great way to hold yourself accountable and ensure you are getting enough tasks completed every day. To further keep yourself accountable, submit your daily reports to your manager or supervisor at the end of every day or week.

Listen to Music or a Podcast 

If you are someone that struggles to focus on one task at a time and gets distracted easily, try listening to music or a podcast. Having a “distraction” that doesn’t take away from your work will help prevent you from reaching for your phone or getting off track.

Have a Proper Home Office Set Up

While it can be tempting to work from your couch, having a designated “office” area at home is so important when it comes to remaining focused. Even if it’s a spot at your dining room table, ensure you have a comfortable seat in front of a desk or table close to an outlet for your computer and are separated from distractions like your television. 

Have a Strong, Reliable Internet Connection

One of the easiest ways to lose focus when working from home is having slow or unreliable internet. After all, how are you supposed to get your work done when your browser or work applications take significant time to load, or won’t load at all?

So, if you are struggling to stay motivated due to your internet provider, consider switching to Comwave. Comwave is Canada’s largest independent internet provider, offering reliable yet highly affordable home internet you can depend on delivered with outstanding customer service.

Comwave has some of the fastest Internet and Wi-Fi coverage at some of the best prices in all of Canada. We also offer Internet and TV plans so you can enjoy both streaming content and live television after work at an affordable price.

Visit our website to learn more about our internet packages and Internet and TV bundle plans.