6 tips for motivation while working from home
Work from home jobs have been increasingly popular in recent years, and they’ve only become more popular since the Covid-19 pandemic shifted the dynamic. Many of us have returned to the office and have no desire to work from home anymore, while many of us are still working from home — either out of necessity or choice.
If you’re still working from home — or maybe you’re new to working from home — you probably struggle to stay motivated all day long. It can be boring or distracting to be in our homes and it is easy to feel disconnected from your job and co-workers.
To help you keep going, here are some of our favorite ways to keep motivation high while working from home.
Create a dedicated workspace
At the office, assigned desks or cubicles often provided us with a dedicated space to work and focus. At home, it can be tempting to work from the couch or from bed. While these spaces are comfortable, they are full of distractions. Sitting in front of the TV can kill motivation because it causes us to just think about how we’d rather be watching TV, or maybe sitting in the kitchen just makes us want to cook.
Instead, find or create a dedicated workspace in your home where you can focus without distractions.
Create a habit
Once you establish your dedicated workspace, use it regularly! Form a habit around using this space. If you always sit down at your desk at the same time each day, this can help put your brain in work-mode and jumpstart your motivation for the day.
Have a “getting ready” routine
Many of us stopped the routine of getting ready for work once we started working from home. Many people stopped showering daily, stopped styling their hair, stopped wearing makeup, and stopped getting dressed up for work. If you’re someone who dresses in pajamas or loungewear for work, consider dressing up for work instead. Having on the right outfit can help us feel confident and motivated to work.
Make a plan
Days at home can feel sort of unstructured. There is not the same rhythm and buzz at home as there is in the office. If your lack of motivation comes from not knowing what you need to get done, start each day by making a plan for what you need to get done. Check the plan regularly throughout the day and try to stick to the plan.
Find an accountability buddy
Whether it’s a co-worker, a family member, or a friend, having someone to hold you accountable can be great for motivation. Let people know what projects you are working on and when they are due. Have them follow-up with you from time to time to see how your progress is going.
You can also return the favor and hold someone else accountable for their work. Listening to their progress might also provide you with a motivation boost to get things done.
Reward yourself
When all else fails, rewards are always a great motivator. Find some rewards that you are looking forward to. These can be small rewards like your favorite snack or a new outfit, or they can be larger, long-term rewards like a dream vacation. Tell yourself that when you complete a task or project, you will give yourself one of these rewards. This should help cure your low motivation in no time!
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
Passionate Writer, Blogger and Amazon Affiliate Expert since 2014.
