Working from home can be challenging for many of us. Especially if you were thrust into it in the last year and didn’t get a chance to ease in and find out what works best for you.
Focusing on my work at home comes easy to me now, but when I started out on my journey that wasn’t the case.
If you want to learn how to focus better, you need to give yourself space and time to figure it out. Learning to focus is something that takes time and changes as you grow. But if you’re looking for a few pointers, here’s what works for me:
Get a Good Pair of Headphones
Headphones play an important role in my focus.
I made an investment in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones because whether I’m editing audio or using music to help me focus, they make a big impact in blocking the rest of the world out.
Many people who work from home by themselves disregard a pair of headphones because there’s no one else around—but I’m here to tell you that they still make a difference. Roommate or no roommate, being able to block everything out is crucial.
Listen to Music
It might seem strange to listen to music to help you focus better, but I swear it works for me.
I try to avoid new songs when I need to focus on something like writing an article or creating a strategy and tend to go with instrumental film soundtracks. My current favorite is the soundtrack from Disney’s The Mandalorian.
Done by Ludwig Göransson, I found that it has the ability to truly allow you to zone in because the music is aesthetically pleasing and predictable. I like soundtracks that don’t have a lot of drastic jumps in action, another great option is the music from Game of Thrones.
If you prefer voices, specifically when you need to focus but are doing something that requires less brainpower, I go with podcasts. My favorite is shows like Dateline or 48 Hours that also have a predictable audio scheme.
Find a Comfortable Space
Your space has a lot of impact on whether or not you can focus.
If you’re trying to get more work done at home, you need to find a comfortable space to work. I used to think this meant that my space had to be spotless and pristine before I could start working. While I still appreciate a clean workspace, I’ve realized that’s not the key to it.
Instead, you need to have a comfortable space to sit and focus on your work. This means a comfortable chair, your computer at the right height, and the space you need to work prepared around you.
Your comfortable space will look different than mine. Today, mine looks like a La-Z-Boy chair, a lap desk, a pair of slippers, and my Apple Airpods Pro.
I truly believe that you can make any space a comfortable workspace that can allow you to focus better. It’s the art of modifying the space to work for you. There is no right or wrong answer, as long as you’re comfortable and working well!
Read More:
- How to Fairly Distribute Tips to Employees
- 4 Must-Haves for Running a Location Independent Business
- How to Inform Employees of Salary Delay
Tae started out as a journalist before following the money into the corporate world. But it turns out that the grass isn’t always greener and now you can find her spending most of her time writing about all the things she loves. Namely, money, travel and business with a hefty dose of self-deprecating humor. She is a podcast fanatic, blogging aficionado and loves to find new ways to turn passions into cold hard cash!