7 productivity tips when working from home

This article is part of a larger remote work series focused on working-from-home productivity tips and best practices.

There are many perks to working from home: flexible work hours, comfy shoes, a pantry full of snacks and no commute. But we'd also be lying if we said there weren't any distractions that went with it.

Maybe your eleven-year-old needs help with long division, or your furry best friend won't get off your keyboard. Or perhaps it's the afternoon slump and your bed is calling… and just in the other room!

Whatever distractions you're battling while working remotely, here are 7 work-from-home productivity tips to help you stay on task and meet all your deadlines before it's time to clock off.

Work from home productivity tip #1: Go easy on yourself

It might seem odd to start with this, but it's worth acknowledging that remote work presents unique challenges. Working from home can blur the boundaries between professional and personal life, adding stress for many people.

Make sure to take care of your mental and physical health while working from home, and if you're managing remote teams, remember to prioritise workplace wellbeing and productivity. And if you really just can't focus today because there's a lot going on, remember that it's okay to take some time out.

Work from home productivity tip #2: Schedule your time and stick to a routine

Experienced remote workers recommend scheduling your time throughout the day and maintaining a consistent routine. Aim to start at the same time in the morning and take lunch around the same time. Set specific times to check your email and social media, and block out chunks of time to knock certain tasks off your list.

Don't forget to schedule proper breaks as well. Make sure you're actually stopping work and doing something relaxing instead, such as reading a book, chatting with a friend, watching TV, or going for a run or walk.

Lastly, don't give in to the temptation to switch between work and home tasks throughout the day. While you're 'at work', you're at work—not fixing the leaking tap or rearranging the furniture in your living room.

Work from home productivity tip #3: Identify your most productive times

Not everyone is a morning person. Identifying when you're most productive will help you schedule your most demanding tasks for that time. Ask yourself two questions: When do I have the most amount of energy and concentration? When do I have the fewest interruptions and distractions? Once you have the answer, optimise your schedule to take advantage of it.

Work from home productivity tip #4: Use time management tactics

Have you heard of the Pomodoro Technique? What about the 2 Minute Rule? There are numerous time management tactics out there and these are two of the best.

The Pomodoro Technique involves picking a task and setting a timer for 25 minutes (one Pomodoro). Work solidly, without giving in to distractions, and then when the timer goes off, take a 5 minute break to do whatever you like. Repeat and after four Pomodoros plus breaks (approximately two hours), take a longer break. You'll be amazed at how much you get done!

The 2 Minute Rule is even simpler. If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it straight away.

Start putting these tools into practice (and any others that work for you) and you'll be flying through your task list in no time at all.

Work from home productivity tip #5: Use the right tools 

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we work, and remote employees can benefit significantly from AI-powered productivity tools. According to the Microsoft 2024 Work Trend Index, 75% of knowledge workers now use AI at work, with users reporting that AI helps them save time (90%), focus on their most important work (85%), and be more creative (84%).

Work from home productivity tip #6: Switch it up with a change of scenery

A change in work environment can help to reset your focus and boost work from home productivity. Spend an hour working in your backyard if the weather's nice, or at the dining room table, instead of your home office. You could also try working in a cafe for the morning or afternoon for a refreshing change of pace.

Work from home productivity tip #7: Declutter your workspace

A cluttered workspace may increase your level of distraction, hamper your creativity, add stress, and generally slow your work pace. Keeping your workspace tidy through regular cleaning and organising will help you stay on track when working—just don't fall into the trap of tidying as a way to procrastinate!

Building a resilient and productive hybrid work environment requires the right hardware, software and processes. Download our Guide to Hybrid Workplace Strategy for a step-by-step strategy for implementing an effective hybrid work model that equips your employees to work anywhere, any time.

KYOCERA Document Solutions provides document management solutions with long-life print technology that delivers greater productivity, reliability and uptime.