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8 Tips To Increase Productivity Working From Home

I’ve been a freelance writer for quite some time now, and I’m always looking for new tips for productivity alongside new cafes to work.

his is of the utmost importance to me, considering that aside from being a freelance writer, I am also a blogger and have a part-time job on the side.

I also know that when you’re a freelancer, a digital nomad, a student, or anyone just looking to increase your productivity in your workplace, you might also be on the lookout to improve yourself at work in a more general sense. 

Hence this article is about my unique tips to increase productivity working from home – really easy tips on work organization for students, working moms, and bloggers,…

And burning a magical candle, even a Harry Potter candle, is sometimes just not enough!

I’m pretty sure you’ll have visited quite a few websites to learn about the best tips for productivity.

Well, I want you to know the ones you’ll see here and some of the easiest and simplest tips to organize your work at home.

If you’re interested in learning how to meal prep, I’ve written a guide to tips I personally use every day.

For today, we’ll focus on unique tips to increase productivity working from home.

8 Efficient Tips To İncrease Productivity Working From Home

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The art of productivity is one I haven’t mastered until I had to blend in my freelance writing skills with a ‘normal’ everyday job.

Since I was a kid, I had trouble with time management and I was always looking for the best productivity hacks without actually putting them into action.

When I was at uni, I started using planners and calendars but it’s always been kind of difficult for me to focus on just one task at a time.

One thing you need to know about me is that I have lots of trouble focusing, and I hate wasting time.

One of the first tips for productivity working from home is to stop multitasking, which is exactly something I used to do.

For years, I have wanted to get checked to see if I have some kind of undiagnosed ADHD.

At least, I would know how to improve my work performance and, essentially, improve productivity working from home.

But I’ve never gotten diagnosed, and I have learned to meditate before doing stressful tasks.

I have learned to break down tasks step by step so I wouldn’t freak out before writing some articles.

All in all, I had to find business productivity solutions that would be easy to implement when you have to set your own deadlines.

So, if you want to really improve your productivity in your workplace, follow these and you’ll definitely increase your productivity in a heartbeat.

Read: The Best Daily Safety Tips For When You Work Remotely

Improve Productivity Working From Home: One Task at a Time

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When looking for solutions on how to improve myself at work, the first one I came across was to stop multitasking, as I mentioned before.

It makes sense, but it’s always been hard for me to just do one thing at a time, especially when you’ve got a full list of stuff to do that absolutely needs doing in one day. 

To improve productivity working from home, make lists every morning (or the night before, when you review your goals for the upcoming work day) of everything you’ll have to do.

Then, prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. Do not get caught up in the game trying to fulfill every task at the same time.

That’s one of the most important tips for productivity when working from home that I can give you.

Make lists, prioritize, use numbers to see what task to do first, and how to do the next ones, and in which order.

That will really help to increase your productivity as a freelancer, digital nomad, student, or even if you’re working remotely at the moment.

If needed, use colors – they’re not made just for kids.

Using color codes has really helped me to see the most important tasks, and it makes the day that much more fun.

I usually number the tasks to set an order of priority, and check each as soon as it’s done.

Read: The Best Proactive Tips For Successful Students

Tips For Productivity Working From Home: Set Small Goals

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That is there one of the best productivity hacks when working from home: set small goals for yourself!

When I started writing for clients more and more, I started writing down mile-long task lists.

And I believed I had to fulfill each and every one of them, every day.

But if you want to really improve productivity working from home, you need to know your limits.

Whether you’re studying, writing, creating a brand or working for someone else, you still need to know when you have to stop.

The more tired you are, the less efficient you are.

The more tasks you still have on your list at the end of the day, the less productive you will be.

Believe in yourself, but don’t be arrogant.

No one can write four well-researched 3.000-word articles in one day, for instance.

So, why did I put all that on my own list? Because I wanted to do it all, and do it well.

But perfection is oftentimes worse than just being good.

No one is expecting perfection from yourself, only you.

But if you want to improve productivity in your workplace, you’re going to have to take a hard look at yourself and know when you just can’t anymore.

It’s not being weak – it’s being smart and thinking long-term.

That’s also the only way you’ll be able to really improve productivity working from home.

Or working from anywhere else, for instance, if you’re living in a hostel while studying abroad.

Read: The Best Free Libraries To Work in London

Improve Productivity Working From Home: Take Breaks

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When looking for ways to improve productivity working from home and fulfill your professional goals, one mistake we often make is pushing too much.

However, whether you’re a student, a blogger, a working mom trying to build your business from home, or a remote worker, time management is of the utmost importance.

When I first started looking into how to improve myself at work, one of the first things I understood is how crucial taking breaks is if you’re after increasing your productivity in your workplace.

All the best productivity books will mention the importance of resting time when working on your own projects.

And that’s something I had lots of trouble with from the time I set myself up as a freelance writer.

Make lists of what you need to do, and include some breaks inside.

Breaks that you have to take, either a 10-min break to fill up on coffee, or a longer break at the beginning or the middle of the day to do something only for you.

That can be fitness, sewing, knitting, drawing, taking a walk…

But that’s one of the best tips to increase your productivity working from home, whoever you are.

Mental health first. 

Read: How To Save Money For Travel as a Student

Tips For Productivity Working From Home: Do The Most Boring/Difficult First

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To improve productivity working from home, what I started doing early on was to do the most difficult or boring tasks first.

There are always some jobs that you’ll like better than others, and tasks that will inspire you more.

Depending on your mood and usual level of focus, I’d recommend working on easy tasks on days you are really tired and not feeling motivated at all.

That can be planning the upcoming week, taking care of emails, or making plans for articles (for freelance writers and bloggers),… 

On days when you really feel motivated, do the most difficult tasks first.

Or the most technical tasks, however you want to put it.

If you’re looking for good, unique tips for productivity in your home workplace, then that’s one of the best I can ever give you.

As you’re full of energy, it will be easier to try and work out what you’re supposed to do to finish the job faster and more accurately. 

If you wait until the end of the day, you might be very tired and more likely to want and finish fast without really focusing on the job as much as you’d have done in the morning.

This is especially one of the best tips for productivity for students when you’ve got loads to learn and create in terms of papers and projects.

Read: Freelancer Productivity Tips For Life in a Hostel

Improve Productivity Working From Home: Think Long Term

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If you really are looking to improve productivity working from home, then planning for just one week in advance is not enough.

You will, however, improve your work performance if you plan a few weeks in advance.

You don’t have to be extra-detailed if you plan two or three weeks in advance – just know what you have to do and how you will do it. 

It could be using a content calendar for bloggers or a study schedule for students.

There are always some good business productivity solutions to find when you plan a few weeks in advance, as you already know what kind of tools and time you’ll need to achieve your tasks.

As a freelance writer and blogger, when I looked into how to improve myself and my productivity working from home, I found that using a weekly and monthly planner worked better for me.

You can get one from any brand, from Primark to some cool Amazon work planners. Just choose one that will really get you motivated thanks to a beautiful design.

I have found that it is extremely important to have beautifully crafted tools as they really help me focus and reach my productivity goals.

So, what I personally do is look at possible article topics, then try and sort them into categories.

After that, I will study which topics would be easier and quicker to write, for instance on days when I’m working part-time.

All that’s left to do is write those topics in my planner, and get to work without fault when the time I have set for myself actually comes.

Read: The Best Caffè Nero Cafes To Work in London

Tips For Productivity Working From Home: Set Deadlines

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That’s one of the best tips to improve productivity working from home: set deadlines for yourself!

Give yourself three days, and you’ll take three days to achieve your task (sometimes even more).

Give yourself two hours to accomplish a task, and you’re way more likely to finish it on time.

That is important to set deadlines, and one of the most important tips for productivity for students, freelancers, or people working remotely.

It is indeed harder to work from home when you’re not used to it, and you will need to make an extra effort whenever you sit down to get work done.

We’re used to living in a hierarchy-type society, and having yourself as your own manager might take a toll on your productivity in your workplace.

I would recommend reading some books on productivity, more articles, and of course, practicing setting deadlines.

You can definitely find some in the best secondhand bookshops in London, for instance.

Only with practice can you become great at time management when working from home – I speak from experience.

It’s always just practice, as with anything and everything in life. Just stick to it as it becomes easier and easier.

Read: The Best Spaces For Coworking in Paris 8

Improve Productivity Working From Home: Practice the Law of Attraction

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Now, that might be one of the top tips to improve productivity working from home that I could ever give you.

Be positive.

If you haven’t read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, one of the best books on productivity ever put together, do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy.

This is one of the most accurate books on the Law of Attraction ever written, and I do believe that positivity attracts positivity. 

So, when you wake up in the morning, spend some precious minutes reviewing the things you are grateful for.

The people you look up to, who give you a hand whenever you’re in need.

Improving productivity in the workplace isn’t just about buying some cool notebooks, a new pen, and setting an alarm.

As you practice beautiful thoughts, focus on loving what you do, and imagine yourself having already reached your goals, you will see that this short morning meditation will help you improve productivity working from home.

It might seem weird, but it’s not.

As long as you’re positive, you will attract positive news and opportunities. Try it!

Read: The Best Starbucks in London To Work and Study

Tips For Productivity Working From Home: Review your week

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This blog about productivity hacks really wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t tell you to spend some quality time reviewing your week.

Take the notebook pages that you’ve used during the week, take the task lists you’ve made to help you improve productivity working from home, and figure out where you’ve been most efficient.

Most importantly, figure out where you might have planned too much for yourself and where life has played a part in you being productive – or not so productive.

It is of the utmost importance to review your week so you know where you’re going and how efficient you are, all life circumstances set aside.

To increase productivity in your home workplace, be honest with yourself. Understand where you were tired, afraid, or lazy, and why.

What has led you to be super-efficient some days?

What can you plan and do better next week?

All the tips for productivity in the world will not help if you are not extra-honest with yourself. 

Read: How To Eat Healthy While Living in a Hostel

8 Efficient Tips To Increase Productivity Working From Home

increase productivity working from home - productivity tips for students - improve productivity bloggers freelancers and digital nomads - increase productivity workplace

There you have them, my best tips to improve productivity working from home.

Later on, I’ll most probably write guides specifically made for students, working moms, and people working remotely that are not used to working from home.

I have been doing this for years, so I’ve had time to figure out how to improve my work performance.

But I know that lots of you might still be struggling with how to set tasks and deadlines – and actually respect them.

Productivity can be improved by really sticking to the task list you make for yourself every day. Just stick to it, and do not stray from the goals you set for yourself.

By all means – every break you’re taking that isn’t planned will set you back every time a little bit more. We don’t want that.

We want to really increase productivity in the workplace.

And well, even if this workplace is home, that doesn’t mean you’re allowing yourself to take unnecessary breaks and check your phone every 15 minutes.

Screen time is important when you’re trying to really focus!

A few last tips

Also, be aware of the difference between being tired, being lazy, and being afraid.

Sometimes, I will definitely freak out because I’ve got a stressful job to do.

Not because it’s necessarily stressful, but because I won’t feel able enough, or because I have never done that kind of task.

It’s okay to be afraid, but you need to be honest with yourself.

When I started being dead honest with myself, I knew how to improve myself at work.

You just need to listen to yourself and your feelings – if you’re just being lazy, sleep better.

If you’re afraid, chop down the tasks and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.

You can do it. I believe in you.

Until next time!

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