10 Little-Known Tips for Staying Productive While Working from Home

If you’re weary of the same old productivity advice, then these not-so-common tips may be exactly what you need to reinvigorate your work-from-home routine:

1. Embrace the "Two-Minute Rule”

If a task takes 2 minutes or less to complete, get it done right then and there. This rule stops small tasks from becoming part of the insurmountable thing one has to do as well as taking up all the space on their to-do list, which causes the brain to become very inefficient. So instead of focusing on the tasks which are difficult and ending up having a headache, you should contemplate starting from the smallest, easiest and manageable tasks.

2. Try "Themed" Days

Allocate particular themes to every day of the week. For instance, Monday might be "Creative Day", Tuesday "Admin Day" etc. This makes it easier to work as the decisions have narrowed down and it makes you to prepare yourself mentally for the work you are about to do in a day.

3. Utilizing Micro-Tasks.

Set aside time for your work and break the tasks into small fragments where you can complete 5 minutes. The best thing about this plan is that you will not be so stressed out when seeing big projects get to be completed, as we will be taken by baby steps and at the end of the day be sure to have made it to the home run. Besides, the sense of progress serves as a good anchor point throughout the challenge. The process of breaking huge projects into smaller micro projects is very effective; this is the best way that I get through the process when I lose motivation.

4. Use “Environmental Cues”

Put a few specific things in your work area that remind your work mode. For example, a fragrance type, a type of music, or a General pants chair. If you have worked efficiently and practically in a certain location, your environmental cues have imprinted the habit into your brain, and now you will have the association of that track to the productivity.

5. "Reverse Scheduling" is the solution

Instead of getting filled your day with tasks, start with scheduling non-work activities first. Schedule them before you go to work for activities such as going for short breaks, physical exercises or leisure time. It aids in maintaining a balanced lifestyle, which for sure prevents burnout, making the work hours a lot more productive.

6. Try Out "Focus Sprints"

Did you know that long working hours are not the only way to go about this? There are other ways to efficiently get work done which include focus sprints. Set a timer for 25 minutes and see how much work you can get done. After that, take a five-minute break. Besides, splicing is what can help you maintain your eye span of 90 minutes which promotes an individual's level of concentration without getting depleted. It is a simulation of the real thing and it can also be the test of reality.

7. Engage in “Productive Procrastination”

If you find yourself procrastinating about a big task, then involve in what is called "productive procrastination" meaning by this dealing with the smaller, less scary tasks. It keeps you on the move and you may even have acquired the power to deal with the major project later on.

8. Use “Anchor Habits”

Use a new work habit in conjunction with a familiar which is called “habit stacking” where you reinforce the existing habit by implementing the new one. For example, if you always take your coffee at 9 o'clock, devote that as an anchor to the hard task immediately upon your first sip.

9. Create a “Digital Detox Zone”

Select particular times of the day as the “digital detox” moments during which you cut off from all screens including the phone. In your off-screen time, appoint it to doing the brainstorming, composing, or just relaxing your eyes and mind.

10. Try “Background Variety”

Rotate your virtual background (in video calls) or even the background of your workspace from time to time. A change in the background can reignite the flame of creativity and keep you from feeling the surrounding dullness.