Working from Home | 6 Tips for Increasing Productivity

Parkinson’s Law is incredibly relevant during the Covid-19 pandemic. If you’ve forgotten, or haven’t heard of it, Parkinson’s Law speaks to the old adage that works expands to fill the time available for its completion. In keeping with the notion that it’s always best to give a busy person something that needs doing, the extra time on your hands, general doldrums, and the new restrictive measures might make productivity increasingly difficult.

To maximize the potential downtime while increasing your productivity, use these 6 tips.

Prioritize Tasks

Left alone with your thoughts, you might have a zillion should-dos swirling in your head. Rather than allowing anxiety to creep in, do a brain dump of everything you want to do (or should do), then prioritize the most important items on your list. Consider chipping away at a few of these should-dos each day.

Find an Accountability Partner

An accountability partner (or group) is meant to help you keep your commitments through motivation, mentorship, inspiration and encouragement. Connect with a work colleague, a friend or a family member. Consider checking in with your accountability partner once a week to discuss whether you’re reaching your goals, and, if not, what you might do to get back on track.

Consider Investing in Noise Cancelling Headphones

To help in getting focused on your to-dos, consider investing in noise-cancelling headphones. Helping to drown out the noise from family members or noise in your building or neighbourhood, the peace offered by noise-cancelling headphones will increase your concentration and ultimately your productivity.

Create a Morning Routine

Not only helping to set the tone for the day, but a morning routine also offers additional positive perks. It offers you time for self-care, healthy eating, time for exercise, and so much more. Initially writing The Miracle Morning, author Hal Elrod went on to write The Miracle Morning for Real Estate Agents. His updated and niche book details how to increase personal and professional success by simply introducing a powerful morning routine.

Set Goals

With the increased potential ‘downtime’ resulting from Covid-19, considering setting some goals. Looking back at this time, you’ll feel good about your accomplishments rather than wasting time wallowing in negative news. Consider defining the books you’ll read, the courses you’ll take, and the marketing strategies you’ll implement. 

Get Ready for Work

No, it’s probably not necessary to get dressed in a suit and tie, but it is really important to get dressed – even when you’re working from home. Being ‘ready’ will have you available to last-minute virtual appointments while keeping your mind in the right mindset. Feeling sloppy or underdressed can leave you sluggish – a feeling reflected in your effectiveness and your productivity.