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Let’s face it—working from home has some major perks. You get to work in comfy clothes (even PJs), skip the commute and listen to music without worrying about keeping it down.
While working from home has its benefits, it can also zap your productivity if you let it. To get the most out of your workdays, try the following tips for staying focused in your home office. |
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Create a schedule |
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An occasional personal phone call or a visit from a friend can be welcome breaks in your day, but on a regular basis they become serious distractions. Interruptions throughout the day can cause your work to suffer and you’ll eventually have to make up the lost time.
Avoid burning the candle at both ends—working late into the evening only to start back up again in the morning—by setting regular “office hours” and posting them for loved ones. A set schedule will help friends and family realize you have boundaries and deadlines that need to be upheld. It will also help you pace yourself throughout the workday |
Set daily goals |
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If you have a large project on your plate, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Tackle that seemingly daunting task by breaking it up into smaller, more manageable ones.
Try setting daily goals by working backward from your project’s due date. For example, if you’re creating a presentation, give yourself a day at the end for final revisions, a day for formatting, a day for putting it all together, etc. These objectives will help you stay on target and serve as a stopping point for each workday. Plus, you’ll get a sense of accomplishment by checking things off your to-do list. |
Limit breaks |
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| “Break time” has a whole new meaning when you work from home. Take a few minutes to stretch with a walk around the block, watch the news, eat lunch outside or throw in a load of laundry. The important thing is to make sure you’re not stepping away for too long. Try setting a timer or using your cell phone’s alarm to alert you when break time is up. |
Prevent distractions |
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An office environment simply can’t compete with the comforting sights and sounds of home. However, those charming aspects of domestic life can become real distractions when trying to get work done. If you’re not the only one home during the day, invest in noise-cancelling headphones to block out background noise. For phone calls or web conferences, use a noise-blocking headset to keep the focus on you.
If you find yourself straying to social network sites too often, considering blocking them from your work computer to nix the temptation. Or if your weakness is daytime TV, set up a personal video recorder on your PC1 so you can watch your favorite shows on your schedule. |
Keep a well-stocked office |
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| There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a project—especially one on a tight deadline—and running out of paper or ink. Avoid emergency supply runs by creating an office supply cabinet that’s regularly stocked with all the items you need. Also, tools like HP Sure Supply can help by tracking ink levels and alerting you when it’s time to shop for more.2 |
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Finding balance |
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| Now that you know a few do’s and don’ts of working from home, you’ll be able to keep a healthy balance between a productive work life and a comfy home one. |
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1 Personal video recorder requires PC TV tuner and Internet service; sold separately.
2 HP SureSupply program features and availability may vary by country. For more information, visit www.hp.com/learn/suresupply. |
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