Top 10 Strategies for Productivity and Focus when Working from Home

Anyone who has had the opportunity to work from home will tell you it has a lot of perks. They’ll also likely mention the difficulty of separating their home life from their work, how breaks at work often turn into working through lunch or doing the dishes, and if you do unplug and take a walk, getting refocused again can be a struggle. As a Salesforce Consultant, it can be especially difficult to separate work from home life when you have clients in different time zones and need to meet earlier or later than your usual workday.

Here are some strategies on how to manage your time effectively to maximize your productivity and focus without burning yourself out.

1. Dedicated Workspace: Designate a specific room or area in your home solely for work. This physical separation helps your mind transition into “work mode” and reduces the temptation to multitask with household chores.
2. Optimize for Focus: Create a clutter-free space with tools to help you throughout the day. I like to keep my water and my to-do list on my desk and put my phone somewhere just out of reach so it’s not an easy distraction.
3. Planning is Power: Create a daily schedule that outlines your work tasks, breaks, and personal time. Pencil in your meetings, heads-down time, and breaks to get up and stretch or eat.
4. Be Flexible: Remember, unforeseen circumstances can arise. Learn to adjust your schedule, prioritize tasks, and delegate or reschedule when necessary. (On the flip side of this, when you have bandwidth, always let your team know. Often, there’s at least one person who has just a little too much going on and would LOVE your help.)
5. Morning Rituals: Establish a routine that sets the tone for a productive day. This could include exercise, meditation, or a quiet breakfast to clear your mind and prepare for the day’s tasks. The key is knowing what works for you! These have helped me tremendously. When I follow my morning routine, I am decidedly more productive and focused for the day.
6. The Power of Breaks: Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to prevent burnout and combat mental fatigue. Step away from your screen, stretch, get some fresh air, or engage in a brief mindfulness exercise. As a Salesforce Consultant, sometimes you don’t get many breaks throughout your day. Remember, you can always ask your team for a couple of minutes to reset for the next meeting or to use the bathroom!
7. Maintain Boundaries: While working from home offers flexibility, establishing a clear “workday” is crucial. Stick to your schedule, avoid working late into the night, and disconnect from work emails and calls when your day is done. The most important thing to remember is that your health and sanity are vital to your success at work. If you’re not taking care of yourself, your work life is likely to suffer too.
8. Set SMART Goals: Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for yourself. This will give you a sense of direction and accomplishment throughout the day. As a Salesforce Consultant, it’s easy to get wrapped up in late-night work to meet client deadlines. Create a plan and stick to it as closely as you can to avoid burnout.
9. Learn and Grow: Dedicate time for learning and professional development. Study for your next certification, learn about new updates to software or other tools you use, take an online course that could increase your efficiency and management skills – LinkedIn Learning is a great tool for professional soft skills, while YouTube and Trailhead are some of my favorite resources for Salesforce Consultant hard skills.
10. Prioritize Self-Care: Make time for activities you enjoy, whether it’s reading, exercising, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing hobbies. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for preventing burnout and fostering long-term engagement.

Working from home sounds like a dream to anyone who doesn’t do it, and it definitely has its advantages. But like any job, it also has its challenges. Working from home requires discipline, self-awareness, and a commitment to staying engaged and motivated. We’re all human, so we all fluctuate in mood, productivity, and focus, but hopefully, these tips will help you stay on track!

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko