Home LivingExperts reveal top 5 tips to staying productive whilst working from homeFinding yourself distracted when working from home? You’re not aloneWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Home LivingExperts reveal top 5 tips to staying productive whilst working from homeFinding yourself distracted when working from home? You’re not aloneWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Finding yourself distracted when working from home? You’re not alone

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

woman working from home at her desk

(Image credit: Getty Images)

However, remote working can also be isolating and distracting. Remaining engaged and productive whilst working from home is a delicate balance that many employees struggle to strike, with research stating that employees working primarily from home reportedfeeling twice as unengaged as those working in the office. Whilst completely manageable, it’s a motivation that takes effort to maintain.

We spoke with Andrew Jackson and David Tinker, co-founders ofRethinkly, who have listed their top tips for remaining productive when working from home. Rethinkly is an immersive technology platform that facilitates challenging communication in the workplace. We say they’re pretty much experts, so who better to get advice from?

Before we get started, find out the best equipment to get with our 2023 specialised guides:

Best office chairs

Best 4k monitors

Best webcams

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Best keyboards

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Best standing desks

Best under-desk treadmills(if you’re feeling motivated!)

​1. Establish a routine

Researchsurrounding the most highly productive individuals found that 92% of them followed planned morning routines. Having a structured schedule can help you stay focused and maintain a sense of normality. It also reduces any time and energy used on making decisions. Humans are creatures of habit and perform naturally better in predictable environments as it provides a sense of security.

2. Stay connected

Maintain regular communication with your colleagues and supervisors through virtual meetings, emails or instant messaging. Collaboration and social interaction can help combat feelings of isolation and keep you motivated. Rethinkly’s proprietary research also found that feeling challenged in communication would lead to 15% of individuals taking time off work.

3. Identify key time-frames

Pay attention to your energy levels and identify the times of day when you are most productive. This is likely different for everyone and therefore identifying your personal best performance time slots and scheduling your most important or challenging tasks during these periods can maximise efficiency and motivation.

4. Minimise distractions

Identify potential distractions in your home and take steps to minimise them.Datahas revealed that the biggest distractor when working from home is scrolling on social media. You should try turning off notifications on your phone, using website blockers to limit access to social media or creating a quiet and clutter-free workspace. Using specific lighting is also a great way to stay productive - check out ourguide on which lighting works best.

5. Designated workspace

Set up a designated workspace that is separate from your living area if possible. This helps create a physical boundary between work and leisure, making it easier to concentrate and stay motivated.Airtaskerfound in their research that 1 in 4 felt having a designated area to work in at home was key to remaining productive. Read ourtop tips for getting your workspace sortedso you can begin!

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