Working from home when you live in an apartment can be difficult. There are distractions all around and it’s easy to get your work life all mixed into your home life. Whether you work from home full-time or you have a job that allows for remote work on certain days of the week, we have a few tips for staying motivated. There are many ways that renters can create a workspace in their apartments that inspires them to be highly productive. Here’s how to stay motivated working from your apartment.
Separate space
When you think about working from your apartment, you might conjure up images of yourself typing away on your laptop from bed or sipping coffee on the couch during a conference call. While this sounds nice, it’s not always ideal. Having a separate workspace is a must when working from home because it creates separation from your personal life. If your space is limited, add a small desk or table in the corner that you can turn into your office for the day and help put you into work mode. Check out this short piece from Apartment Therapy for some inspiration on how you can fit a home office into a tiny apartment.
Schedule
There’s much more freedom that comes with working from home versus a traditional office setting. You can make lunch when you want, go run an errand and do work tasks at your own pace. Having a schedule in place, though, can help immensely. You’ll be more accountable and get the most productivity out of your day. You might be an early riser or feel more creative during the evening hours, but either way, set up a schedule that works best for your lifestyle and stick to it.
Minimize distractions
Living in an apartment in a big city has many benefits, but it can also cause you to be distracted by the noise of your neighbors or the hustle and bustle on the streets. On top of that, home chores or the TV can also be a cause for distraction. Turn off the TV and invest in a good pair of headphones like this pair of wireless, noise-canceling headphones to help you stay focused. Leave your household tasks for the beginning or end of your workday so you won’t feel the desire to get these things done during work hours.
Dress the part
It’s tempting to leave your pajamas on every day, but getting dressed will help you define the workday and encourage productivity. Taking a shower and getting ready for the day will put you in the right mindset for a productive workday and you’ll also feel more awake. Dress as if you’re going into the office for an extra boost of motivation.
Get out of the house
We all need social interaction on occasion. Working from the confines of an apartment day after day can make you go a little crazy. Schedule time to go out for a walk, out for lunch or out to meet a friend for coffee. Just a short time away from your work can help you to reset and finish out your work day strong.
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