Working from home can be great. You get to set your hours, work in your pajamas, and take breaks whenever you want. But there are also a few downsides. One of the biggest is that it can be easy to get distracted. And if distractions aren’t handled properly, they can result in mixed deadlines, or rushed subpar work.
So here are 3 distractions and how to deal with them.
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Room Temperature
Room temperature definitely affects mood, and thus productivity. Too cold, and you’ll be trying to type with numb fingers. Too hot, and you’ll be falling asleep at your desk.
Finding the perfect balance can be tough, especially if you’re used to your office building successfully regulating temperatures with air or water-cooled chillers or some other HVAC system, but it’s worth it.
The best way to deal with this distraction is to invest in a quality space heater or air conditioner. This will help you maintain a comfortable temperature in your home office, no matter what the outside weather is like.
You can take things a step further by investing in a smart thermostat.
Noise
Noise is a serious distraction. Several things can cause distracting noise while you’re working – passing cars, neighbors, children, pets, etc.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to try to reduce the noise.
Noise-canceling headphones can be a big help if you can’t get away from the sound. The best ones will create a barrier between you and the noise, so you can focus on your work without being distracted.
If headphones aren’t an option, try white noise. This can be something as simple as turning on a fan. The key is to find a sound that will help mask the distraction.
You can also try working in a different environment altogether like at a coffee shop or library.
Social Media
The allure of social media is hard to resist. After all, it’s a great way to stay connected with friends and family as well as watch videos of adorable cats. But when you’re trying to get work done, it can be a major distraction.
If you find yourself constantly checking Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Tiktok, Snapchat, etc when you should be working, it’s time to take action.
There are a few things you can do to break the habit.
First, try to limit your social media usage to specific times of the day. For example, you could allow yourself to check social media for 15 minutes in the morning and again at lunchtime. There are plenty of productivity apps that can help you set time limits.
Second, uninstall social media apps from your phone or tablet. This way, you won’t be tempted to scroll through your feed when you’re supposed to be working.
Finally, tell your friends and family that you’re not available to chat during work hours. This way, they won’t be offended if you don’t respond right away and you can avoid distractions.
Working from home comes with a few potential distractions. However, by taking the time to plan and establish some ground rules, you can avoid distractions and make the most of your work time.