Work at Home Productivity Tips Part 2

Last week, we began our work at home productivity tips series, kicking off with three tips to help you get more done every day, starting today. Working from home is such a challenge, especially when you have little ones to take care of. I hope that these tips, even if you just implement on per week, will help you smooth out your schedule for more productive work time.

If you missed it last week, read Part 1 of the series. Now, let’s move on to this week’s tips.

Separate Work and Personal Time

Working from home makes it difficult to walk away from work, but it’s essential for your own well-being and for bonding with your family. The lure of work is always there because your desk is just a few steps away, but don’t get sucked in. When you’re finished with work, put the computer to sleep. Don’t go back to it until your next scheduled time to work.

Action step: If you haven’t created your schedule yet, choose a time to stop work today, and stick to it. Give your family (or yourself) your undivided attention. The emails, tweets and other messages can wait.

Get Out of the House

One of the perks of working in an office versus working at home is that the office provides face-to-face time with others. As a work at home mom, most of your face-to-face time is likely spent with your kids. And while that’s great, adult conversation, especially with a fellow WAHM, can be refreshing and motivating.

Action step: Set up a lunch or dinner date with a friend or fellow WAHM.

Keep a “Done” List

With piles of laundry on the sofa, dishes in the sink and dinner to prepare in addition to your work duties, it’s easy to feel like you’re not accomplishing much through the day. Looking at your to-do list can be disheartening when you just keep adding to it. Motivate yourself by keeping a “done” list alongside your to-do list. List all your accomplishments throughout the day, no matter how small they may seem.

Action step: List all the things you’ve done so far today. Share it with someone if you need extra praise and/or motivation.

What’s one thing that you do that helps you focus when working from home?

This post originally appeared on ProductiveWAHM.

Don’t miss part one of this series. Read it below!