Image: Silvana Carlos / Unsplash
As a remote worker, you might spend your days at home in London, working from a Melbourne CBD office rental, operating out of a coworking space in San Francisco, or perhaps even working from your camper van as you travel through Europe.
As comfortable and convenient as it is to be able to work from anywhere in the world, distractions can become an issue. From the kids bursting into the office to your neighbor cutting their grass loudly, so many things can get between you and your work if you’re not careful.
The good news is, there are a plethora of remote workarounds, including these six tips for overcoming distractions when working from home:
Time Your Day With The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was dreamed up by successful businessman Francesco Cirillo, back when he was a student in the 1980s. It’s a simple technique whereby you work for twenty-five minutes and then have a five-minute break. Four full Pomodoro cycles later, you take a longer break. It’s a simple and effective way to control your focus in manageable blocks of time.
Zap “Laziness” With Work/Life Balance
Sometimes, the reason we’re distracted is that we’re thinking about things we wish we were doing (like taking a bubble bath, spending time with friends, or simply lounging in bed). If this sounds familiar, know that you’re not lazy. You probably just have poor work/life balance. You’re also not alone as a good 60% of US workers struggle with this problem.
The answer is to schedule time for yourself after work. Even just 15 minutes for a walk, a dance around the living room, or a chat with a friend can help you focus during the day by giving you something to look forward to. Knowing there’s a reward later reduces distractions and boosts productivity.
Silence The Noise And Amplify Your Focus
Science tells us that noise pollution impacts cognitive performance. Family life, traffic, pets, somebody playing music next door – it can all be such a distraction. The answer? Noise-cancelling headphones. Whether at home or in the office, they can save you from falling victim to noise distractions.
Weave Your Own Working World
According to the latest studies, there are 300% more spare rooms available in America than in previous years. If you’re a person with a spare room, and you work remotely, it’s time to turn it into a home office. It’s such a great way to cultivate a distraction-free workspace. The colors, textures, sound, lighting – everything can be controlled to suit your needs.
Be Social Media Savvy
Social media will always be a distraction when you give yourself access to it, particularly at home when there isn’t anybody monitoring your use. If this is something you struggle with, you’re not alone – over 50% of those using social media feel it is a distraction from work.
There are apps you can use that lock yourself out of social media for set times during the day. It seems extreme, but for some of us, it’s exactly what we need to avoid this kind of distraction.
Work Out Whether You’re A Night Owl Or Early Bird
Working from home can mean you have the freedom to work your most productive hours. If you don’t have to work a set schedule, forget the 9-5 and any other ‘normal’ workday rules. Work when you know you’re at your very best, and you’ll find you’re not only a lot less distracted, but you’re a lot more productive too.
With the tips above, you can find your focus working from home. Distractions avoided, you’ll be free to take your career from strength to strength.
