Photo by Christin Hume

Originally Posted On: https://koriathome.com/productivity-tips-tools-for-working-from-home/

 

As the years go by, working from home has become increasingly commonplace, much due to the advent of technology. Now that we are amid a global pandemic, it’s become mandatory for the vast majority of businesses. This means, if you’re already set up remotely, you’re somewhat ahead of the game! Even if you haven’t started your remote business yet, it’s not too late to set yourself the exciting challenge. To succeed as a remote entrepreneur or a remote freelancer, it’s important to have strategies in place to keep your productivity levels up. To help you on your journey, these tips and tools are great resources of support.

1 . Todoist

Todoist is a popular ‘to-do’ app to help users boost productivity and stay organized. This app comes with plenty of great features so you can create work schedules and set deadlines for your important projects and tasks. Other features of Todoist include project templates, data synchronization in real-time, and productivity visualization. With seamless collaboration, a simple interface and the option to work offline, your ‘to-do-list’ just got a whole lot smarter!

2. Toggl

Toggl is a nifty piece of software which monitors how much time you’re spending on different tasks. Using data from Toggl, it’s easy to monitor your productivity levels and go about making improvements. With Toggl, you can gain a clear picture of how you’ve used your time throughout the day. The data is presented with simple pie and bar graphs. Data is shared between your desktop and mobile devices, so you can use the app from various locations as you require.

3. Evernote

Evernote is a handy note-taking application which simplifies the process of storing and gathering ideas, compiling to-do-lists, and organizing your tasks. The application arrives with some top features for both web clipping and document scanning. It’s also possible to save audio, photos and receipts inside the app. Other features include storing itineraries, annotation, markup, geolocation and the option to share feedback. You can also sync with multiple devices so that you can access your notes on-the-go. Whether it’s longer forms of research or quick project notes, Evernote can help you to make the very best use of your ideas.

4. Zapier

Zapier is an innovative platform which helps users to connect various apps together. Zapier exchanges information between your apps automatically, to save you plenty of time. This software uses digital blueprint technology which it calls ‘zaps’. These zaps open the apps you use regularly, to complete tasks automatically. Easily one of the best things about Zapier is that now you don’t need to worry about the availability of app integrations. No matter which applications you rely on for your business tasks, with Zapier, you can use these applications together, seamlessly.

5. Buffer

Buffer is currently one of the most popular apps for managing social media content. To share your content across multiple social sites (including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn), Buffer allows you to do so from one place. Using this platform, you can create and schedule your posts, plus access useful analytics data to track your performance. A few of Buffer’s features include RSS feeds connectivity, stats comparison, profile management and customized scheduling. Tools such as Sprout Social and Hootsuite are other popular choices for social media management.

Remember, when you’re working from home, it’s important to find satellite internet providers offering the highest speed connections possible. A slow Internet connection just won’t do when you’re looking to maximize productivity! Once you’ve got these tools to support you, you’ll be well on your way to maximize productivity. The next step is to arm yourself with the best habits to make it in the remote working world:

1 .Set a regime

When you’re working from home, it’s far easier to get distracted! To help yourself stay focused, it’s essential to set a regime. Plan your tasks for each day and week, allocating an appropriate amount of time for each one. Include plenty of short breaks throughout your schedule, to help you to recharge and stay creative.

Try to start working at a set time each day, preferably as early as possible. Failing to give your day structure will mean that you struggle to keep to your deadlines. It’s easy to adopt a casual approach when you are working from home; however, you should attempt to retain some structure. If you’re someone who gets distracted easily, try using another app called ‘Stayfocusd’. This application allows you to temporarily block the websites that you waste time on throughout the day.

2. Perfect your workspace

When you work from home, it’s essential to design a work space which allows for both motivation and productivity. You should use a large desk, an ergonomic chair and remove clutter from your environment. Use natural light as much as possible, and decorate with the right colors, to inspire creativity. Yellow is a particularly good color to boost creativity, while green is an excellent choice to create a relaxing space. It’s impossible to concentrate in an environment which is disordered and aesthetically displeasing. The more effort you put into designing the perfect space, the easier it will be to stay focused and remain creative.

3. Creative breaks

Working remotely isn’t always easy; you’ll likely find that some days you just can’t stay focused. Taking enough breaks throughout the day is important to stay productive and what you do with your breaks will determine how useful they are. For example, an exercise break is beneficial to release endorphins and recharge. It’s also helpful to take a creative break, whether it’s drawing, writing a poem, reading an inspirational book, or simply listening to music. Taking creative breaks will help you to relax, gain inspiration and feel motivated to continue your projects.

4. Stay social

It’s no surprise that working from home can feel a bit isolating, some people are suited to working alone, and really enjoy it, while others struggle to adapt at first. When you are working remotely, it helps to be as social as possible in your free time. Try to get out of the house as much as you can in the evenings and at weekends. Whether it’s days out with your kids, or coffee with friends, stay social and always call a family member when you’re feeling a little lonely.

5. Keep learning

When you’re pursuing your passion, you’ve got to keep on learning to continue making progress. Make time in your schedule to self-study. It could be reading books by professionals in your industry or listening to podcasts hosted by successful entrepreneurs. You might like to pursue an online course to broaden your skill set or attend networking events to make useful contacts. No matter how you pursue knowledge, keep at it, and you’ll soon drive the progression of your remote career.

Which jobs can I do from home?

In our current situation, most jobs are being performed from home (due to necessity)! Speaking from a long-term perspective, one of these three ideas could help to get you started remotely:

1 .Craft & sell

Many small businesses begin by selling handmade products. If you have a talent, or are willing to learn a new craft, you could soon join the club! Whether it’s knitted scarves, paintings, soaps or jewelery, there is a huge market for unique hand-made items. Social media is an excellent place to promote your products, your website and your related blog. It doesn’t matter if you start small, with only a few items to sell. Pop your stuff on Etsy marketplace, and seek to gain yourself a loyal following of customers.

2. Blogging 

Fancy yourself as something of a writer? Why not start your own blog and look to make money online this way? It’s best to choose one theme to focus on, whether it’s parenting, food, lifestyle, or health. To earn money from your blog, you can purchase affiliate links, and embed these into your articles. From here, if your followers end up clicking the link and making a purchase, you’ll receive a commission. Another way to earn money by blogging is to write blogs on behalf of companies. You can look at these kinds of job opportunities through sites like ‘Problogger’.

3. Teach online

Do you like teaching but don’t fancy leaving your home to do it? Well, now you don’t have to! There are plenty of companies out there that hire online teachers to teach a broad range of subjects, whether math, English, or even music. There are also many services that provide English as a foreign language teachers. For example, many companies based in Japan and China hire ESL teachers from all over the world, to teach virtually via webcam.

Working from home arrives with both perks and drawbacks, but fortunately, the drawbacks can be solved pretty easily with these handy tools and tips. Whether you’re already running a remote business, or still thinking about taking the leap, the key to productivity starts with getting organized.