How to Stay Motivated While Working From Home

More people are working from home than ever before. Technology allows many people to do the same work from home that they can do in the office, and the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to a shift in the way that we work. In fact, a lot of people may be working from home for the foreseeable future. Remote work can be beneficial in some ways, but it can also decrease our motivation to complete the work.

Burnout

If you are constantly drained or fatigued either mentally or physically, you might be suffering from burnout. This can occur when we are overworked or unable to meet the demand of our employer.

To avoid burnout, it is important that we take the necessary time to care for ourselves. Try to do things that you enjoy and lead a healthy lifestyle. Exercise can also be beneficial to deal with burnout.

Online therapy at BetterHelp can also be a good resource for burnout. Therapy can help us learn relaxation and stress reduction techniques. It may even help us heal from the emotional and mental fatigue which can cause a decrease in productivity when working from home.

Keep a Routine

Working from home can be flexible because we do not have the structure of the workday to guide us. This can be beneficial for a lot of reasons. However, it can also make it difficult to keep a schedule.

Keeping a schedule can help your motivation levels because it tells your body and mind when you will begin work each day and when you will be done and can refocus on personal things. Try to set a clear schedule and try your best not to work past a certain time each day.

Separate Your Work Area

When you work from home, it can be tempting to work on the couch or in your bed. This is not the best way to separate your work life from your personal life.

Try to set up an area of your home that is designed specifically for work. If you associate other areas of your home with your work, then it is difficult to mentally separate the two.

Congratulate Yourself

For each task you complete, no matter how small or large, give yourself a mental, or even a physical, pat on the back. This will break your day up into smaller chunks so that the larger tasks can become more manageable, and it can provide you with a beneficial sense of accomplishment.

Reduce Distractions

It may be difficult or even impossible to completely avoid distraction at home. For example, you cannot prevent someone from ringing your doorbell. However, if you can reduce these distractions then you may see an improvement in your productivity and motivation. Try turning off your phone notifications. Also, try your best to avoid going to the kitchen every hour or two for a snack.

Encourage a Challenge

A challenge can be motivational. Challenge yourself to get more work done in the next hour or before lunch. Then, try beating that amount of work the next day during the same time slot. This may also help you see the times when you are most productive and then you can focus on more difficult or tedious work during those time periods.

Manage Emotions

Some tasks may bring uncomfortable emotions with them and can cause us to procrastinate. If we’re afraid that we will get frustrated doing something, then we may put it off. This can cause reduced motivation and productivity. Regulating your emotions can help with motivation because the lack of motivation may come from the desire to avoid these uncomfortable emotions.

It may be good to identify the emotions that you seem to consciously or subconsciously avoid. Then, you can acknowledge that which may make it easier to take on the task because you will know what to expect and the reason for those feelings. You may also want to remind yourself about the positive feelings you have when you complete a task and the relief as the stress melts away when you do not have to worry about it anymore.

Final Thoughts on Remote Work and Motivation

Look, it can be hard to get motivated when you are working from home. However, try to reward yourself for a job well done. Also, make sure that you are taking care of yourself by getting good sleep, adequate nutrition, and regular exercise. Try to set a sleeping, eating, and working routine to help you separate your personal life from your work. These things can help with your motivation and even prevent burnout and mental fatigue.