Like our content?
Get our monthly newsletter and other helpful communications for your job search and career.
- Job Seeker Resources
- |
- Last Updated: October 13, 2021
6 Ways to Stay Motivated While Working From Home
For some, working from home is normal. For others, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic marked the first time they’ve had to work from home for an extended period of time.
Regardless of whether or not you’re accustomed to working from home or if this is a new situation, it can be hard to stay motivated day in, day out. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do every day to figure out how to stay motivated when you work from home.
1. Prioritize Self-Care
When your office becomes part of your home, it’s easy to let the lines between work and home blur. Unfortunately, this can lead to an increased risk for burnout, causing you to lose engagement and motivation with your work. To prevent this phenomenon from occurring, consider the following tips:
- Stick to a daily schedule with built-in times for breaks and meals.
- Maintain a well-balanced diet and avoid sugary foods that will lead to feelings of sluggishness in mere hours.
- Set boundaries with yourself, including when you’ll start and stop work.
2. Try to Limit Distractions
When you’re at home, it’s easy to be distracted – especially if there are others in your home. Some simple ways you can limit distractions include:
- Unplugging from social media.
- Turning off the notifications on your phone.
- Putting in headphones if you share your home office with others.
- Setting a timer for periods when you’ll focus primarily on getting work done before taking a break.
Job Seeker Sign In
3. Create To-Do Lists
One of the best ways to stay motivated when working — whether at home or in the office — is to create a to-do list. Ideally, you’ll make these lists at the end of each workday for the next day. But, if that’s not feasible, start your day by making a to-do list. Consider writing down every task you need to get done, no matter how big or small. That way, if you’re starting to feel unmotivated, you can look for a small or simple task to do and cross off your list to regain some motivation.
4. Take Breaks
Working from home doesn’t diminish the importance of taking regular breaks throughout your workday. Taking a 10- or 20-minute break from your work a few times throughout the day will help you keep your focus. On your break, consider going on a brief walk or getting away from your designated workspace. Doing so will help you mentally and physically disconnect and recharge so you can come back refreshed and ready to work.
5. Keep Your Space Tidy
When your workspace is cluttered, your brain automatically becomes stressed and flustered. If that occurs, you’re unlikely to be productive and motivated at work. That’s why it’s so important to keep your workspace tidy. Use these tips to maintain a neat home workstation:
- Dedicate 10 to 15 minutes at the end of each day to sort through papers and clean up.
- Invest in a filing cabinet if your job involves dealing with a lot of paperwork.
- Purchase inexpensive office supplies, such as manila filing folders, paper clips, and filing racks.
Create Your Account Today
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you’re having difficulty figuring out how to stay motivated when working from home, it’s worth trying the steps mentioned above. Be sure to reach out to your manager or coworkers if you’re struggling to see if they can provide assistance.
Sign In or Register to access all articles and insider tips for help in your job search.
Search for iHire Jobs
RELATED JOBS
Procurement Analyst (Contract Labor Analyst)
Find a Job »
American Electric Power
Columbus, OH
Job Posting End Date 11-24-2025 Please note the job posting will close on the day before the...
Manager, Private LabelCardinal Health
Dublin, OH
What Product and Solutions Marketing contributes to Cardinal Health Product and Solutions...
AMRE Technician InternAmerisourceBergen Corporation
Lockbourne, OH
Our team members are at the heart of everything we do. At Cencora, we are united in our...
Municipal Consulting EngineerV3
Westerville, OH
Join the V3 Team and take your career to the next level! We are looking for a fulltime Municipal...
Junior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test)Columbus, OH
Job Title: Junior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) Location: Columbus, OH (Onsite)...
RELATED RESOURCES
Find the Right Job Faster
Create Your FREE Account Today to Unlock Exclusive Career Tools
- Get personalized job matches sent to your inbox every day
- Connect directly with employers before your competition
- Advance your career with expert advice on interviewing, salary negotiation, and more
We value your privacy