Top Tips for Focusing While Working From Home

Working from home can be incredibly difficult, especially when it comes to focusing. 

If you have others at home with you, such as small children, pets, or roommates, they bring a whole other level of challenges. 

Constant interruptions of roommates wanting to have a conversation, barking dogs, and kids asking questions or seeking constant attention make it difficult to focus.

Possibly it’s the small tasks that linger around the house that is taunting throughout the day. 

This can stem from sitting where a pile of dirty clothes or dishes is within view. The glass streaks on the coffee table or the dust collected on the window seal may bother you. 

Needing to put a load of laundry in the washer, clean up the kitchen, clean the coffee table, and dust the window seal all take time away from work. 

These distractions may seem minor but become monstrous when it prevents projects from getting completed on time.

Then you have the massive distraction of technology from the World Wide Web to iPads and cell phones. 

The chime from your cell phone to notify you that the electric bill is now due. Then pulling up the electric company’s site on the computer to view and pay the bill. 

Only to have a pop-up that the stock market is up 2%, and now you must search the news to understand why the market is up today. 

Before you know it, an hour of the day is gone, and still work to do.

It’s so easy to get distracted by technology and spends hours browsing Social Media, new sources, and even shopping online without realizing how much time has passed.

If you find yourself in the situation of constantly being distracted while working from home, then you are not alone. 

Check out some tips below to help you maintain focus throughout the day.

Amora V Lifestyle has a full list of tips and tricks for staying focused while working from home.

Create a Space Away from Distractions

The most crucial aspect of working from home is a dedicated room or space allocated as a working space only. 

Dedicated office space can either be a desk against a wall or an entire room.

A room with a door that shuts will help you maintain focus easier than a desk pushed in a corner. 

A dedicated room allows the door to be closed, minimizing distractions throughout the home. 

Having a dedicated space is especially important if children, roommates, or animals are in the house.

However, not all living spaces can dedicate an entire room for an office. 

If it is impossible to have a dedicated room, try to find a desk to place in an area far away from distractions. 

Furthermore, you can keep moving the desk to different places around the house until you find the perfect location or spot.

However, try to resist moving the desk once you find an area that allows you to focus and concentrate.

Keep Desk Tidy

Keeping the desk tidy is one tip I have for helping you focusing on work when working remote.

Keeping your desk tidy allows you to maintain focus by not being distracted by the mess around your desk. 

Having a place for pens, staplers, and sticky notes, among other office supplies, allows you to find the tools needed to finish the job quickly.

Another important factor of keeping a tidy desk is finding papers and notes quickly. 

Nothing is more frustrating than losing notes from a meeting needed to complete a project. 

Having a clean and tidy desk allows one to quickly find any paperwork required from a to-do list, written feedback, or printed emails or checklist.

Get Everything Ready Before Starting the Workday

Having everything needed before starting the workday allows for fewer reasons to get up to grab something. 

This could be getting up to grab a pen, needing a notebook, water, or even a cup of coffee. 

Leaving the workspaces causes a break in concentration, making it harder to stay focused over long periods. 

Especially if these breaks happen frequently (more than once every hour). 

Therefore, before starting the workday, take a quick assessment to determine if everything needed for the day is within reach to prevent you from getting up from your desk.

Keep a Schedule and Stick to It

Having and keeping a schedule is a tip for success. It can help you stay organized and focusing on the task at hand.

A schedule is essential as it outlines what to focus on for the day and the dedicated time it takes to complete each job. 

For Example: 

  • Write Blog: 2 Hours | 8:00 am – 10:00 am 
  • Keyword Research: 1 Hour | 10:00 am – 11:00 am 
  • Create Video Reel: 2 Hours | 11:00 am – 1:00 PM 
  • Lunch: 1 Hour | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM 

Therefore, if it takes longer to complete a task or two than what it shows on the schedule, assess whether it is the task itself or a lack of focus.

If not completing a job on time is a lack of focus, then it is imperative to evaluate the situation to determine what is distracting you. 

Then find a solution to prevent it from happening again. 

Furthermore, a schedule is a great way to become accountable on a day-to-day basis.

Suppose you feel it is impossible to complete any tasks listed for the day. 

In that case, it is essential to assess the situation and determine the reasons to make changes for a more productive tomorrow.

If tasks are completed on time, then congratulations. That’s awesome. [Read also: Top Habits of Successful People – Keys to Success]

Set a Break Schedule

A break schedule is a great way to give yourself time to grab a beverage from the fridge, use the bathroom or take a walk around the block. 

According to Business Wales article, The Importance of Taking a Break When Working From Home, “Taking a break leaves one feeling both mentally and physically refreshed, which helps to prevent feels of burnout.”

A daily break schedule allows you to set aside time each day to get away from your desk and have time for yourself.

Have a Work Only Item

A work-only item triggers your brain to know it is time to sit down and focus. A work-only item can be a pair of blue light computer glasses, a coffee mug, or a special pen.

This can be any item and doesn’t have to be related to work. 

It can be an action figure on your desk or a photo of a motivational quote hanging above your desk. 

The chosen object should only visible when working. A work-only item trains your brain to focus when it’s time to sit down and become productive.

Keep a Pen and Paper for Notes

Keeping a task list and notes is a great to stay focused on getting the job done while working from home.

Constantly thinking about what needs to get done around the house even while sitting at your dedicated desk behind a closed door? 

Possibly on the way to the bathroom, there is a dirty laundry basket that screams ‘wash me.’

No matter how long you work or how focused you want to be, sometimes distractions are all around us. 

Thus, making the pen and paper handy. 

A pen and paper is a way to write down a list of things that needs to be done around the house that you can do during your dedicated break or when the working day is complete.

Constantly thinking about something such as laundry, bills, doing dishes, or even making the bed is just a way to remind ourselves so we don’t forget. 

Having a pen and paper to write down what needs to be done lets us clear our minds to focus on work.

Writing down a future to-do list can be for household chores or work-related tasks. 

Possibly you keep thinking about the resume you need to review, the dreaded sales calls, or business cards that need designing. 

Rather than obsessing over the different tasks requiring completion, write them down on a notepad and forget about them until the task at hand is complete. 

It’s a great way to stay focused while keeping track of other jobs that needs completing.

Have Working Hours and Keep Them

If you live with roommates or have children home from school, you must let everyone know the dedicated working hours. 

Nothing is worse than having a chatty Cathy who talks the entire time you try to work. 

Even if Chatty Cathy isn’t talking to you but on the phone with friends or family or talking to herself, then ask if she can go to a place that is not bothersome to those working. 

Furthermore, televisions within the working space should be left off or moved to another location in the home.

Children are another distraction within the home. 

If children are old enough to attend themselves, they mustn’t be seen or heard during working hours unless there is an emergency. 

Little children who need constant attention should be cared for by another family member or taken to daycare. 

If daycare is not affordable, and if possible, schedule your working hours around their time. 

Possibly at night while the child is sleeping or during the wee hours of the morning.

Pets are another distraction that is difficult to deal with, especially when extremely vocal. 

If the dog barks all day, making it hard to take conference calls or make sales calls, then a bark collar is the solution. 

If the pet whines at the office door all day, it is essential to determine a solution to get the dog not to whine. 

Possibly, having the dog lay next to you on the floor while working or keeping the dog outside to play (weather permitting). 

There are many solutions to dealing with clinging and needy pets.

Sometimes it’s as easy as finding a space where they can lay and feel close to you while you work.

Write a Task List

A daily task list is a great way to write out the different action items to accomplish for the day. 

Then focus on each action item individually until the list is complete. 

A task list allows a point of credibility for oneself.

In addition to a daily task list is also maintaining a weekly to-do list. 

Having a weekly task list allows one to break down the different tasks for each day of the week. 

This will enable you to assess daily to determine if you are ahead, behind, or on track to complete weekly goals. 

Suppose you are behind or ahead of schedule; this allows you to readjust the schedule accordingly.

Amora V Lifestyle features a full list of Tops Tips for Focusing While Working from Home.

In conclusion, while working from home can present unique challenges, there are several strategies that can help maintain focus and productivity. These include: 

  • Creating a dedicated workspace 
  • Establishing a schedule
  • Minimizing distractions
  • Keeping a task lists and take notes as needed 

With a little effort and discipline, working from home can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Full List of Top Tips for Focusing While Working From Home

  1. Create a Space Away from Distractions 
  2. Keep Desk Tidy 
  3. Get Everything Ready Before Starting the Workday
  4. Keep a Schedule and Stick to It
  5. Set a Break Schedule
  6. Have a Work Only Item
  7. Keep a Pen and Paper for Notes
  8. Have Working Hours and Keep Them
  9. Write a Daily Task List Each Morning

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Sara Elizabeth

About Author, Sara Elizabeth
Writer, Amora V Lifestyle
Co-Owner of Elizabeth Besich Boutique

Sara is a writer for Amora V Lifestyle and is Co-Owner of Elizabeth Besich. Sara previously worked as a Marketing Manager and has her Master’s from Lindenwood University.

Sara studies everything of interest, from psychology, recipes, finances, mental health, and travel, thriving to find happiness and to live a good life.

When not learning, Sara loves all things outdoors, food, and hanging around great company. Furthermore, Sara loves spending time with family, who she is blessed to have in her life.

Note from the author: Through my articles, I hope to bring you joy and peace and that you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog. The authors of this blog are not liable for any errors or omissions in the information provided, nor for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from the use of the information provided. Any reviews or comments written are the subjective opinion of an Amora V Lifestyle member and not Amora V Lifestyle. Amora V Lifestyle performs occasional checks on commentary left by users. It’s worth mentioning that we may also use comments in our articles. By posting a comment, you are giving us permission to use it in our content. Please check out Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for full disclosure. Source for quote, https://businesswales.gov.wales/news-and-blogs/blogs/importance-taking-break-when-working-home. 

6 comments

  1. Sara Beil 2 May, 2023 at 17:23 Reply

    Hi, thank you for taking the time to read! I hope this article helps you with focusing from home. One thing that I always do when I work from home is getting my work station set up before starting. It is always the essentials, Tissue, Water, Tea, Pen, Paper, Planner and Laptop. Once I am all set up, I set an alarm for 2 hours and try to knock out as much as possible before taking a 15 minute break. I would love to hear how you stay focused at home. Drop in the comments below!

  2. Olga 9 August, 2023 at 17:55 Reply

    I really like your tips! For me, a tidy desk is a must too, because a mess makes me crazy. I think my biggest problem is a proper schedule and daily task list.

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