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6 Tips For Being Super Productive When Working From Home

Shelly Laslo Last updated: March 28, 2024 · 6 min read

I work from home. And every time I sit down to work on a project, no less than forty-seven distractions call out to me, begging me to drop what I’m doing and do anything but. My phone lights up with alerts from Facebook and Instagram, I have eighteen open tabs in my browser (because I’m a serial Internet surfer), there’s always that pile of laundry, and let’s not forget the fridge. If you work from home and find it challenging to plow through your workload, allow me to share some tips on how to reach super-productivity.

Find Your Routine

While some people are night-creatures that love to work to the sound of crickets, the majority of people will find that they are most productive early in the day. As I mentioned in my last post, I recommend starting the day by getting dressed. And not into sweats. This simple tip can be easy to overlook, but it will help ensure you sit up straight and get busy, instead of ending up eating cookie dough ice cream while shopping on eBay. Plus, you never know when you might get an impromptu Skype video call from one of your clients.

Try Starting With a Chore or Two

Being your own boss allows you to find the routine that works best for you. Some of you may prefer to get to work right away, but if you’re like me, you may opt to get some personal chores out of the way first. If those five dishes in the sink will daunt you and prevent you from getting any work done, or if walking the dog before sitting down at your desk is what will give you that boost of energy, then do that. While working from home has many obvious perks, it can lack a clear beginning, middle, and end to your day (more on that in just a moment). Since there’s no commute, consider establishing a small ritual which will signal to you that your work day has begun: it can be as simple as a cup of coffee before you sit down in front of your computer. At the end of the day, you may wish to do something as small as clearing your desk. These are the little things you can do to give your day some structure.

Clock In and Clock Out


These days, it’s hard to block out the constant buzz of all the social media around us. If you’re constantly bombarded with unimportant notifications on your phone, or if you’re tempted to start an online chat with a friend, you are losing precious time re-channeling your concentration each time. Resolve to be present and live by the mantra “work hard, play hardâ€. That means the time you’ve blocked out to work should be spent working. If it helps you, put your phone outside of the room you’re working in, silence all other things that beep and ping, and allow your brain to be in full work mode. Being strict with yourself will pay off, and brings us to the second half of our mantra, “play hardâ€. Just because your home is also your office, doesn’t mean you’ve got to work round the clock. (If you must, go back and re-read that, or even tattoo it on the back of your hand.) While you may find yourself breaking this rule from time to time, define your work hours and do your best to stick to them (resist the urge to reply to work-related emails while out for drinks with your friends). Respect your off-time, because failing to do so will ensure burn-out.

Set Goals

Be it on your phone using an app like Evernote, or that yellow notepad you have sitting on your desk, create a list of the tasks that you need to accomplish that week, and plan further by dividing the list into manageable daily to-do checklists. This is a step you shouldn’t overlook- a little time spent planning can save a lot of time in the execution phase. (You can read much more on this in the book “Eat That Frog†by Brian Tracy.) Tip: For extra motivation, set specific by-the-hour deadlines for yourself, trying to tackle the hardest tasks first, when you’re at your highest levels of energy and concentration. Also, include several pre-planned breaks every hour or so, so that you have something to look forward to among all your hard work. Stretch your legs and grab a little snack. Without coworkers inviting us to the proverbial water cooler, it can be easy to forget to peel ourselves from our chairs!

Create a Workspace


Working from home is definitely comfortable, but in order to get some work done, you don’t want to be too comfortable. Find a space in your home that will be a work-only zone. Ideally this should an area that other family members know not to touch. Bonus points if this space has lots of natural light, and a window to crack open to let in that inspiration-inducing fresh air.

Organization is Key

It goes without saying that being organized is a sure way to being more efficient.

  • Keep your inbox tidy. Use folders to help you keep track of client correspondence, invoices, and projects.
  • Gather your thoughts and collect inspirational images for your projects on Pinterest or on that bulletin board near your desk.
  • Manage the files on your computer in a way that makes sense to you, so that you don’t waste valuable time looking for what you need.

Recharge your Battery


Working from home is great, but after a while you may find yourself feeling uninspired, or even lonely. Our creativity needs constant re-fuelling, so make the effort to find inspiration outside of your four walls. Go to a museum, see an artsy film, take a long hike among some greenery, or sit in a bustling coffee shop and people-watch. Wherever you get the chance, take along a camera or a sketchbook, and let your imagination take a break from your latest commissioned project.

Share Your Tips for Working From Home

These are just some of the ways that have helped me meet deadlines, but I’d love to know: what tips do you have for reaching super-productivity throughout your day?


Shelly Laslo is a graphic designer and illustrator. She is the owner of DrawBabyDraw Designs, where she sells handmade design resources which give your work a unique, one-a-kind charm.
Header image created using Home office, Eveleth, and Thirsty Script.

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Shelly Laslo

Hi! I'm Shelly, a picture-book illustrator based in sunny Israel. I create thoughtful digital design goods to help your work shine brighter.

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26 Comments
  • Great tips @Shelly Laslo 11 years ago
  • Good tips, I can relate to all of these. I took the self-employment leap back in 2009 and have been working at home ever since. A past article I wrote has a few more tips related to working remotely (#3 and #4 in particular): http://www.adrianpelletier.com/2011/03/01/10-common-freelance-questions-answered/ 11 years ago
  • Some fantastic tips, Shelly. As someone that's worked from home for the past three and half years I can vouch for the importance of all of these things, especially finding the right balance between work and play. 11 years ago
  • I have to try start day with home-office dress code, not sweats :) I am working from home since I finished college (two years). So, for first year, I have no plan what to do, only experimenting with techniques, reading books and articles, drawing/painting, etc. Sometimes I had project, but not something that would last for longer time. But, second year, I have made plans, precise harmonogram... Firstly, it was hard to wake up at 7.00 pm, but now it´s a routine. Great tip, start day with some ritual, as @Shelly Laslo mentioned, I start with big cup of coffee too. Well, and most important thing is that my productivity and incomes are better and better. My tip: don´t be lazy (I was such a person), make plans, set up your deadlines and don´t forget to relax (my second day ritual is to read some novel for 30 minutes before I go to sleep, or everyday I go walking with my girlfriend and dogs). And one day in week, i do nothing (mostly in saturday, because i am passionate football fan and I am on the terraces, home or away :) ) 11 years ago
  • Anonymous
    Great post! I agree with you and do many of these things to stay productive working as an independent working at home. I keep regular work hours by showering and getting dressed in normal clothes, and start work around 8:00 a.m. I keep a to-do list for the week, with daily tasks to keep focused. I also keep my invoice/timesheet open to track my hours so I know where I stand with my goals for the week. Keeping a clean desk/workspace and keeping my client files organized helps me from wasting time and making mistakes. When I'm done with client work for the day, I reward myself by working on my own projects or get out my sketchbook. (That's incentive to get the client work done!) I also try to take a break in the middle of the day, usually over lunch, and go outside for a walk or bike ride. It helps to step away to clear the mind and come back rejuvenated. 11 years ago
  • 1- Being organized is KEY. I've been freelancing and running my gig at various levels (was running a design firm out of my house, with employees at one point) for close to 20 years now (I started verrrry young ;) Now that I have children, organization becomes even more crucial ! 2- During all those periods I've been working from home (my current status), a dedicated space def is second as it helped me to get focused on my work. I HIGHLY recommend it too. 3- Getting dressed: ha! I've never been the kind of freelancer working in sweats, because frankly, I tried it once and didn't worked for me! I've always feel like I'm more productive and professional when I dress the part. Also, I have to drive one of my kid to school.......so. PJ's doesn't really look good anyways ;) All good points. Recharging your batteries is so important. But sometimes, we do what we can. Life can be in the way, so I try to recharge when work is low (or kids not in my hair) by enjoying fresh air and exercises! also: to not feel guilty or judged by the others who think working from home is 'less serious' than if you'd go to an office... Enjoy all the benefits of working from home, it's so awesome! Thanks for sharing Shelly =) 11 years ago
  • Great tips Shelly! Thanks for sharing this. I completely agree with you in most of these things to stay productive working from home. Im doing this for two and a half years and found that if follow some basic rules I can increase dramatically my productivity. 1- Day starts early with a good shower. (This is where I clean my soul:) 2- Getting dressed like if I go to any other regular job. (Gold rule - if I break this I really end up eating ice cream or on the Playstation) 3- Couple of coffee + reading the news + grab some inspiration. (This is where my bell rings - Go work!) 4- Dedicated space. (Highly recommended and if you have natural light far better) 5- Organizing and set goals. (I keep breaking this rule over and over, most of the times as I'm sitting on my chair I turn the automatic on and I open the Photoshop and Illustrator. But when I get this right the results are always pleasing.) 6- Turn music on. (Helps me focus) 7- http://crtv.mk/dXra 8- Get out! 11 years ago
  • Great post. I can't agree more about keeping a clean and organized workspace, as well as recharging. It helps so much to get out, see some fresh things, and change things up. 11 years ago
  • @Adrian Pelletier Thanks for the link- loved your article! Loved tip #5- I agree that it's important to list not only the mundane tasks on your to-do list, but also our longer-term dreams and aspirations :) @Sam Jones Yes, finding the right balance is really important! And also quite challenging, as it requires so much self-discipline, something I constantly try to improve :) 11 years ago
  • [@Matej Ilčík](user:341563) Thanks for sharing your routine... A big cup of coffee is always helpful in starting the day :) 11 years ago
  • @Terri Wilhelm An organized workspace is key for me as well- I find myself significantly less productive if I'm working in clutter. Thanks for sharing :) @Miss Lemonee Good point! Working from home is definitely just as legitimate as an office job! Agreed :) Thanks for your comment :) 11 years ago
  • @Bruno Maioral Music really is helpful to me too! I even pick the style of music based on what I'm working on- even if it's not my typical taste. It just gets me into the right mindset! 11 years ago
  • @FilterGrade Recharging is key for resparking our creativity- though it can sometimes feel indulgent, do you agree? I try to remind myself that it's an important part of my job :) 11 years ago
  • @Shelly Laslo I agree 100%. Sometimes I feel guilty recharging too much, or being away from work for a certain amount of time, but in the end it is always worth it and has me coming back stronger and more inspired to work than ever. 11 years ago
  • @FilterGrade here's to letting go of the guilt! 11 years ago
  • While I tried to focus entirely on my work, I still opened my browser and ended up on this article. What a distraction. Just kidding. :P Although I'm very organised, since I'm working from home for 8 years, it's still good to be reminded. Great post! 11 years ago
  • @Zlatko Najdenovski Of course reading this blog is the exception to the rule- it's work-related, educational, and inspiring.... right?? Haha, thanks for your comment :) 11 years ago
  • I pretty much fail badly at working from home, but agree with all the things that have been mentioned. I have 4 children and my wife home schools them and it's next to impossible to stay sane working from home. I'm currently working on a serious overhaul the basement and turn it into my office project. Until then, coffee and getting out of the house is all that keeps me in touch with reality. 11 years ago
  • I work in my home studio for 20 years. 1. Creating designs for clothes .. difficult to predict the design time. 2. Important not sit for more than 2 hours. 3.The phone rings every 10 minutes. better than the machine answer it. 4. Answers emails. 2 hours lost. 5. Problems with the internet service. Lost the day 6. Wait for the postman or UPS. see a doctor told me I have diabetic. too much time sitting. 11 years ago
  • Anonymous
    If possible I make every morning a walk along a ridge near the sea side here a few meters away. And then I visualize what work I should do that day. I believe work goes faster, because every process in my work has been thought over during a nice walk, even how long a work might take. As such I have gained a good view on time spending as well. 11 years ago
  • Thanks @Shelly Laslo for great post! Im working from home about 5 years. Can not imagine myself in office. Love to work from home and appreciating every day. My way to be most productive - to change creative fields. One week Im designing, and another week Im making some music (Im big fan of drum & bass). It so cool to have this opportunity. Cheers! 11 years ago
  • Shelly Laslo
    @Stephen Hallgren I guess the most important thing is finding what works for you :) Sounds amazing to have an entire basement dedicated to your very own work space! @George Bloise 20 years of working from home must mean you're doing something right! I agree with your second point- sometimes, when you get in the "zone", it's easy to forget to get up off the chair :) Thanks for your comment @Geert De Decker What a lovely start to the day! Sounds like an amazing way to gather your energy for the day ahead! Thanks for sharing! @Sergey Kandakov That's a cool way of staying inspired! I should try that! (for me, it would be sewing and painting) Thanks for the tip! 11 years ago
  • Getting dressed (and sometimes even putting on make-up) is a tried and true must-do for me. I'm a writer, and as I become more intentional with integrating personal creative work with my professional work & busy life, I need to step up the organization. I also like what Geert De Decker commented about visualizing his work for the day during his morning walk. Great post! 10 years ago
  • I have to agree with all of these...Thank you for the good read @Shelly Laslo 10 years ago
  • Great tips! Having an accountability partner is key for me. 10 years ago