The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that about 37% of working adults in the UK did some work from home in 2020. This rise in the popularity of remote working is undoubtedly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, still lingering in the country. Many remote workers struggle to get through workdays because of distractions like chores, childcare, and in-home entertainment options.
However, you can still beat distractions while working from home successfully by following a few helpful tips.
Here are some things you can do to avoid distractions while working from home…
Create a schedule for your children
Children are a big distraction for many parents working from home, so it is crucial to create a schedule for them so you can continue with your duties without interference. Older children are self-directed for part of the day due to their school work. However, you can create a routine to keep these children occupied when they are not doing schoolwork by planning hobbies, playtime, and other activities.
You can also engage your children with educational TV shows for kids on Netflix and BBC iPlayer to make the most of their screen time. Additionally, plan all activities for children with no schoolwork ahead of time, including set periods for eating lunch and napping. This way, you can better organise your time and focus on your work.
Take scheduled breaks
You will likely prefer sitting and remaining focused on a project for hours. However, doing this can quickly lead to burnout and distraction, causing you to leave your desk prematurely. Therefore, take scheduled breaks during your workday based on timing and frequency that works for you. You can try the highly-recommended Pomodoro Technique, which advocates breaking work into 25 minute intervals separated by short breaks. Also, prioritise stretching and light activity during your breaks since exercise is crucial to remaining healthy while remote working.
Work in a dedicated room
Many experts agree that working in a central location or your bedroom is a bad idea due to the endless distractions in these areas. Consequently, work in a dedicated room in your house, preferably a home office. This room should have a door if you have children or pets to prevent them from barging in during your most productive periods.
You can also open and close this door to signal your availability, so you won’t be interrupted mid-work. Besides helping you avoid distractions, a dedicated room can also help you achieve a work-life balance since you will leave work behind any time you exit this room at the end of the day.
Avoid chores during the workday
A survey of remote workers revealed that 40% of Brits admit to cleaning their houses during working hours. Indeed, it is tempting to want a head start on cleaning and other chores like laundry and dirty dishes during your workday. However, experts say that alternating between domestic and professional work is a huge productivity killer.
Therefore, keep the boundaries between your work hours and household chores, so you don’t multitask and become less productive.
Feature image credit: Tina Witherspoon / Unsplash
