Try to remain productive even when working at home | Deluxe Small ...

Despite our best efforts, extenuating circumstances sometimes force us to have to work from the comfort of our own homes. Maybe a child is sick and your spouse needs to go into the office or, as many on the east coast experienced recently, natural disasters make the commute next to impossible and dangerous.

Though working in your pajamas on the couch doesn't really sound like a bad deal, it's easy to let the day get away from you after you turn on the television, check your social media page, have a long conversation with your son or daughter, along with a bevy of other distractions. The work-life balance can meld into one, which isn't always good for productivity.

So when at home, how is focusing on work possible? There are a number of steps workers at any level can take to ensure that the balance is still intact and that they complete the responsibilities they've been tasked with. Done properly, individuals can both benefit their employers and their families, so everyone wins!

Situate yourself in a quiet environment
According to a recent survey by Wakefield Research for Citrix, many individuals who work from home spend their days getting paid for doing work, but are actually indulging in other activities because they get distracted. For example, the study found that 43 percent of people who have worked from their house have watched a television show or a movie, while 35 percent did chores and 28 percent have cooked meals. Parents are more likely to be guilty of this, the report said.

As such, individuals should consider sitting down to work in an area conducive to work where they won't be interrupted. The kitchen table might work, but if there are little ones running around, maybe a home office or a dining room that is set away from the normal traffic areas could be a good idea. Sitting in bed or lounging on the couch does not often lead to a productive day.

Another option is to head to a local cafe or library, if at all possible. Going to a different environment might be the jumpstart you need to kick off a successful day.

Wear the right clothing
While it's extremely tempting to wear pajamas when you work from home, the added comfortability could make the worker more tired or lax. While the individual should not be uncomfortable in his or her own home, they need to be aware that, at least for the time being, they're in a work environment.

The Citrix survey found that 25 percent of remote workers stay in their PJs all day, while 49 percent exert the effort to put on jeans and a t-shirt. This style could be best for productivity, as it makes your comfortable, but not so much so that you nod off or feel as if it's not a real work day.

Hold yourself accountable
According to Open Forum, all individuals that work from home should set goals and responsibilities for the day that they can't stray from. If need be, they should ask another person, whether it's a family member or friend to check in with them every so often and make sure they're on track.

"You're more likely to be honest if you are talking to them; you can easily lie over email," entrepreneur David Wright told the source, saying that speaking to someone in person or over the phone is a better option. Another choice is to reach out to professionals through networking groups, the source suggested, which can be especially helpful if you don't know someone else who works remotely.?

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Source: http://deluxesmallbizblog.com/measurement/try-to-remain-productive-even-when-working-at-home/

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