Five top tips for working efficiently from home

Set up a permanent workspace

It’s far easier to focus if you dedicate one part of your home to work. That way, you can compartmentalise: when you are at your desk you can be in the zone, and when you leave, you can switch off. Of course, it’s healthy to get a change of scenery every now and then, but be careful not to merge your professional and social spheres too much, not only for the sake of productivity but for the sake of reducing stress; if you work whilst watching TV you will likely find yourself distracted, and equally you don’t want to be sitting on your sofa that evening being reminded of work whilst you are trying to unwind. 

Figure out when you are most productive

We all have times when we feel at our most efficient – and times when the ideas just won’t seem to flow. Are you a morning person, an early riser who likes to get off to a flying start, or do you work better once you’ve had time to power up? Perhaps the evening is when you get all your creative inspiration? Get to know your most productive hours and prioritise your work around them; after all, one of the joys of working from home is the flexibility. And if you have hobbies such as playing an instrument, spending time on Facebook.

Purchase functional, ergonomic office furniture

Never underestimate the importance of comfort. Something as simple as buying an ergonomic chair can be the difference between a happy, healthy career and a life’s worth of back issues. Look out for adjustable equipment such as monitors which can be raised to the right height to prevent slouching. You also need to fit out your office for functionality, so bear in mind that sometimes you might have to compromise on style in order to make the most out of your space.

Always get dressed before you start work

As tempting as it is to start work lying in bed, this could create bad habits in your working life. Getting dressed, getting breakfast and having a morning routine is just what you need to get yourself into the right mindset to start your day. This doesn’t mean going all out, putting on makeup and doing your hair, it just means getting out of your beloved pyjamas.

Invest in a planner

All the tech in the world can’t replace the power of the good old-fashioned planner. There’s something both soothing and satisfying about having everything written down in one place and being on top of your schedule. To-do lists are also helpful, and if you like to stay connected, there are many apps available, and what’s more, you can sync up diaries to all your devices.

The editorial unit