If you’re new to freelancing, you may wonder how to stay focused when working from home. After all, infinite distractions exist when you don’t have a boss looking over your shoulder. From the laundry that needs to be done to the fridge that’s calling your name, it can be challenging to stay on task.
Many opt to become freelancers because they crave flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere. While this is a great perk, it can also be a double-edged sword. If you’re not careful, you may work more hours than you’d like or be constantly interrupted by family members or roommates. Here are a few tips to help you improve your focus and be productive while working from home:
Set a schedule and stick to it
One of the benefits of freelancing is that you have the flexibility to set your own hours. However, that flexibility can also be detrimental if you’re not careful. Without a set schedule, it’s easy to let work slide in favor of personal errands or household tasks.
One solution for improving focus when working from home is setting and adhering to a schedule. While it may sound restrictive initially, having set work hours can help increase productivity. It also helps create boundaries between work and personal life, allowing for necessary downtime and preventing burnout. Additionally, setting specific goals for each work session can further improve focus and efficiency.
Find a dedicated workspace
When you work from home, creating a designated workspace — even if it’s just a corner of your living room or kitchen table is essential. This doesn’t have to be any fancy office setup – maybe it’s just a corner of your living room with a desk and comfortable chair. The important thing is that it’s designated as the space where you do all your work. Setting up in this spot every day will train your brain to get into work mode, and you’ll be less likely to get distracted by other activities in your house. Plus, having an easily identifiable workspace can help structure your day and improve time management.
Keep your workspace clean
A cluttered desk can distract your attention and hamper productivity, making it harder for you to get work done effectively. So take a few minutes each day to tidy up and ensure everything has its proper place. Your mind (and workspace) will thank you for it.
But keeping your workspace clean does not end with keeping your desk organized. You must set a schedule to deep clean your entire office at least once a month. If you have a carpeted floor, it would be wiser to hire expert carpet cleaning services to thoroughly clean the dirt, dust, and stains accumulated over time. This way, you can focus more on your work and less on cleaning.
Take breaks throughout the day
It may seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks can help improve your focus when working from home. When you’ve been staring at the same screen for hours on end, it’s easy to lose focus and motivation. By getting up and taking a quick walk around the block or making yourself a cup of tea, you can rejuvenate yourself and come back ready to be productive again. Just be sure not to take too long of a break — an hour-long Netflix binge is probably not going to do wonders for your productivity!
Set goals for each work session
Before you start working, take a few minutes to think about what you hope to accomplish during that session. Having specific goals will help keep you focused on tasks and prevent you from getting sidetracked by less important tasks or activities. Once you’ve completed your goal (or goals), you can allow yourself a brief period of time to relax before starting on the next thing on your list.
Eliminate distractions
This one may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning! If there are things in your environment that make it difficult for you to focus, do what you can to eliminate them or minimize their impact. For example, if background noise bothers you, try working in a quiet space like a library or coffee shop. If social media is tempting, log out of your accounts or put your phone in another room. By removing distractions, you’ll find it much easier to stay focused on your work.
Final thoughts
Freelancing comes with many advantages — but learning how to stay focused when working from home isn’t always one of them. You have to be more intentional about setting boundaries and creating a productive environment for yourself. But with a little effort, it is possible to stay focused and be successful in your work-from-home venture!
