I have been working from home for just over three months now, in the beginning I found it hard to focus and my productivity dropped, especially in the summer months when the sun was shining and beckoning me to go out. Today I’m going to share a few tips that I have put in to practise…
- Write down special goals – If you work from home, you have to do this – There are just too many distractions and no boss watching over your back every minute of the day. On my table I have a small card that I write down 2 mission critical tasks for the day. That way I focus on the most important tasks and outsource the rest.
- Wake up at the same time everyday – Set a time to get up each day and stick to it. I get up at 7.30am to exercise, then have my breakfast and start work around 10am. I stick to 4 hours of work a day.
- Turn off phone and instant email notifications – Having constant interrupts makes it harder to stay focus. I make sure there are no interruptions when I am writing a blog post because my readers want the best from me. Don’t you?
- Exercise – I find doing exercise in the morning gives me so much more energy and motivation for the day, if you don’t regularly do exercise, try it for one week and see how you feel. Your mind will be clearer for the day and you might shed a few kilos along the way!
- Tidy office – Keep your office clean by filing away piles of paper. If you have notes written down, transfer them to your computer and put a reminder to complete them. That way you will have less clutter and paper lying around.
- Music – Not for everyone but I find music really helps me work during the day. Put something light and soothing on in the background.
- Daily schedule – Even though you are working from home and don’t have to follow the usual office rules, try and set out a daily plan for yourself – start at the same time, have lunch at a set time etc – I find it helps to have a daily routine.
- Just do it – If you are like me you have certain jobs that you try and put off because they’re dull or take ages, make sure it gets done first thing in the morning when you are fresh and motivated.
- Outsource – Even though you can do a job doesn’t always mean you should do it – why not outsource that boring coding job which will leave you free to concentrate on more important jobs or jobs that you enjoy doing more.
- Close your door – If there are distractions at home, like people calling round or noisy kids, make it a rule to not be disturbed when your door is shut.
All of these are pretty obvious things to do but if you don’t do any of them, give it a go and see if your productivity improves.
Tyrone Shum
Increasing Blogging Productivity

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Chick J on Sat, 4th Apr 2009 3:42 am
It may sound obvious to you, but I really like it. A nice condensed guide. I am printing it out and hanging it on my wall.
ECommerce on Sun, 5th Apr 2009 2:24 pm
I think the best way is to shut the door, plug in the headphones with favourite music and forget about everything else besides what you need to get finished…
Tyrone on Tue, 7th Apr 2009 11:04 am
Hi,
I agree. I make sure all phones are switched off and focus for 45 minutes intervals. It really helps and it’s definitely more productive that way.
Amit on Thu, 9th Apr 2009 9:08 am
Outsourcing is a great way to increase your productivity and also get more things done. Furthermore it will give you more time to do the things important in your life.
Talya on Sun, 12th Apr 2009 9:31 pm
thats right you have to work 50-10-50 to work 50 minuts take a brake 10 and go on with another 50 an so on
moti on Sun, 12th Apr 2009 9:38 pm
you are right it is very important to give a rest to your mind
the system 50-10-50 is good work 50 rest 10 and so on
Tyrone on Mon, 13th Apr 2009 1:32 pm
Hi Talya,
That’s great and thanks for your comment. Working 50 minutes then taking short 10 minutes breaks are the way to go. Definitely helps me to refocus.
Internet Marketing ABC on Thu, 16th Apr 2009 12:01 pm
Hi,
spot on – these are the “boring basics” of blogging, yet, they are often the difference between the guy (or girl) that builds a successful business with his blog and the guy that ends up frustrated and stressed out.
May Lim on Fri, 15th May 2009 4:05 pm
I agree with outsourcing. It’s a powerful strategy to free your time to do more productive tasks.
PSP Go on Tue, 17th Nov 2009 5:58 am
Working from home has its freedoms and perks, but you do have to be disciplined and stay on track. Otherwise you are not going to be very successful.