How to... Work effectively from home

One of the benefits of digital technology is that it makes it easier to work from home. But to be effective when working remotely, you need to manage potential distractions. Here are some expert tips.

Turn off the TV

More than 76 per cent of remote workers in the US say they have worked with the television turned on, according to the home services website Porch.com. Also high on the list of distractions is paying bills or shopping online, reports Fast Company magazine. Over 35 per cent say they run errands, 33 per cent exercise and nearly 28 per cent go out for coffee on company time.

“If you’re the type of person who can run a few errands, meet a friend for coffee and go to the gym, and still put in your full work hours, it’s fine to have flexibility,” says productivity expert Laura Stack. “But if you’re the type who is unable to complete work tasks because your personal activities are interfering, you need a bit more structure.”

Set working hours

Treat your home office like a normal office, Stack advises. Tell yourself, “work begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m., and I will take one hour for lunch. Create and maintain the boundaries with yourself that will acknowledge your personality and allow you to be your best.”

Establish acceptable distractions

“Perhaps you allow yourself to do laundry or watch television only during your official lunch hour,” Stack says. “Perhaps you can create an agreement with yourself that doctor’s appointments during the day are OK, but getting your nails done is not.”

Turn off the devices

Phones and email are among the biggest distractions, experts say. “Our attention is diverted every 30 to 120 seconds from things like email,” comments productivity expert and author Maura Thomas. So, try turning off the sound notifications and check messages only at set times during the day.

Use a timer

To increase your concentration, Thomas suggests setting a timer and working nonstop on one thing for 20 to 45 minutes. “Longer than that and it’s hard to stay focused,” she warns.

Take breaks

“The break has to be a different activity,” Thomas says. “If your job is to write, don’t take a break that involves reading. It’s not a big enough break for your brain. Instead, walk the dog, throw in some laundry or sweep the floor.” She adds that we all have the same 24 hours a day for work, family and entertainment. “Time is not the problem, distractions are the problem.”