Increasing work from home productivity can allow mothers to finish work project deadlines as well as finish needed tasks within the home. Increased productivity can also mean increased pay when working on a job opportunity. Let us discuss a few techniques that will help increase productivity and output.
Get Up Earlier
Sometimes, getting up a little earlier can allow you to focus more clearly on the tasks at hand. This is especially true, when there are children in the house. A homeschooling mom, who also works from home, can increase her productivity by getting up before the kids. This allows her time to pre-plan her day or review the plans for her day. It allows her to think more clearing in the peace of the morning, before everyone is getting up to start school work. For other moms, getting up earlier allows for time to start on work projects while it is quiet.
Get Up and Get Dressed
Although, there are times that it is nice to work at home in night clothing, it can be more productive to get up and get dressed. Doing so creates a feeling inside of getting the tasks done that are required in the day. If you are dragging in the mornings, give it a try. Get up, get dressed, move around, have your coffee and then start on the tasks of the day. Even showering in the mornings can help increase focus and productivity.
Organized Workspace
Organizing the workspace is important to increase efficiency. Set up the area with the ability to have things available when needed. Even though a lot of work is done on the computer, having colored file folders available at your computer can save time and money. One mother has different colored folders between the monitor and the desktop, which houses project descriptions needed for quick review. This allows the mother to work online while having instructions at her fingertips. She also has the ability to check off portions of her project as they are done.
Using a dedicated work space can also allow increase in organization. It can alert family members, that you are “working” when in your work area. Create time limits while working to help increase output. For example, take short breaks when needed. If your work is flexible, decide how long you will work on each project and use a timer. Motivation is needed at times, and if you decide to accomplish a specific task within a certain number of minutes, be challenging to yourself.
Time Evaluation
If you are having challenges meeting deadlines and keeping your priorities, do a time evaluation of where your moments are going. Keep a list of what you do and where you do it from time to time. Also review the amount of time that little things took from your day. Do personal evaluations to assist in showing current work habits as well as time consumers. Be willing to review and improve, to increase your productivity levels.
Use Project and Tasks Lists
Be willing to use project and task lists to increase efficiency. This can be used for working as well as taking care of the home. Within the lists, you can list the task to be completed as well as the target time to complete the item. Lists can be created with pen and paper, as well as on the computer. Print out lists made for the day to save time opening computer files. Prioritize each list, as well. This will help you to keep in mind to finish the most needed items first. Find the technique that works best for you.
Eliminate Digital Distractions
Eliminating digital distractions can cover several areas. This can include personal emails, turning off the television or radio, avoiding Facebook interactions during work time as well as non-work related instant messages. Decide to make changes to increase your productivity in the home and while working.
If you like to play games or socialize on Facebook, then determine times to set aside to do so. Place home and work priorities above doing Facebook. Also, turn the television and radio off during the day to increase focus upon the tasks at hand.
Instant messaging and personal emails from friends can provide for many distractions while working from home. One solution includes creating an email account and instant message name that is for work purposes only. Make this information only available to those who need it, work related. This will allow you to log onto a work email account to look at only project related emails. It also allows you to log onto your instant messaging that only your work related employers or team members have access to. This will greatly decrease distractions as well as increase personal productivity levels.
