The office is a great help in getting into the right mindset for working. You go in, sit at your desk, and you’re away!

But this can change when you need to work from home. All of a sudden you don’t have the right surroundings or environment to get your head in work-mode. Before you know it, you’re watching Game of Thrones, reading the news and completely forgetting about work.

So, to help you avoid this, here are five really effective ways to get into the right mindset when working from home.

1. Remove all distractions

Just like at the office, you need to get rid of all distractions and things that will tempt you to do something else. This means turning off the television and putting your phone on silent.

The temptation to get up and do something else can be very strong. So, to help you with this, it is recommended that you block out a certain amount of time for work, and then work for that amount of time and no more.

You can also:

• Close all your social media accounts (except for work related ones).
• Turn off the TV.
• Tell family members your working hours.

2. Set up a dedicated workspace

If you can set up a dedicated workspace at home, then do it! Even if you can’t, try and make your home office as clean, tidy and presentable as possible. This will help you to feel like you’ve really got something to work with, and will give you a real boost of motivation.

It will also be beneficial if you can work from the same place every day. This will help you build a routine, which makes it easier to achieve the right mindset for work. 

But if you do have to work from other areas around the house, try to keep one thing consistent. You might find it helpful to wear your work clothes, sit in the same chair, or even listen to a radio show every day.

3. Get the correct equipment and furniture

As well as working from the same place every day, it’s also really important to have the correct equipment and furniture for your work space. If you are able to, invest in similar furnishings and equipment that you would use in your office. This will really get you in the working mindset and will motivate you to do more.

Some of the furniture you will need include:

• A decent desk – if you can afford it, a desk with adjustable height can really improve your productivity. Stand up reading desks, for example, are really good for letting you move around easily and keep you fit!
• A comfortable chair – use this chair when you need to relax, and make sure it’s somewhere where you can sit for a long time without feeling uncomfortable.
• A small coffee table – this is great for putting your notes, laptop and other things on.
• A few shelves – these are great for storing stationary, resources, and other things you might need.

Make sure your work area is clean, tidy and clutter-free. This will make it easier to be in the right mindset for working. Invest in some storage solutions for your desk, and try and make a nice, comfortable space for you to work in.

4. Background noise can be helpful

Background noise can be a good thing. If you are working from home, try and play some kind of calming music in the background. This will help to block out any noise from the rest of the household. You can also try the radio, or even the TV if you’re working late at night.

However, make sure the music, radio or TV is not distracting or loud enough to take your attention from your work. You can use headphones, or put the radio or TV on in another room.

5. Use the right lighting

The right lighting can really help you to get into the right mindset for work. Remove any lamps or other light sources that might distract you. Try using daylight instead. You might find it helpful to open the blinds, or even open the windows.

Using daylight is really good for your concentration. It also helps you to feel like you’re at the office, and will give you a sense of normality. If you find it hard to concentrate with daylight, then try using a desk lamp.

By using the right lighting, you will feel like you’re at the office; this might even give you a sense of normality.

To Sum Up…

Working from home is a great way to make extra money, but it’s not easy. You need to be in the right mindset to be able to work, and to make sure you get the job done.

So, make sure you remove all distractions, use the right equipment, have the right furniture, and make sure the lighting is right. All of this will help you to be in the right mindset for working and get the job done.