Whenever I work remote (at home), I am really unproductive and work realistically for 3-4hours. Is this normal? What are your tricks to stay focused?

likefunny
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Get up early and work out, make a to do list with time limits. Also I realize that if I am in the office 20-30% of my day is taken up with small talk.

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I do same. Work 40-50 hours M-T so don’t kill myself Friday’s unless I’m behind on work.

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Have a home office, close the door. Don’t have a wife and kids bothering you, have them take it seriously so you will too.

I don’t have the wife and kids, but I used to be just as unproductive. What helped was making an actual work space, instead of sitting at the dining table, I felt like I was more focused

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For what it’s worth just having a work space, even if it’s your dining table, helps. I don’t use my desk because that’s where I’d play video games. But sitting at my dining table looking out in the yard with sun and stuff is great. Helps break my mind out of the office funk and I feel much more productive.

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Work not in your house / apartment. That’s generally a place for relaxation so your mind goes there

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Thanks for these tips! I needed it- same boat as OP

likeuplifting

Start your day with a to do list, prioritized by what needs to be completed by when and with a reasonable estimate for time to complete. Then block your calendar for specific activities you need to complete. Not to be judgy, because I can certainly fall into this trap too, but it sounds like you’re not good at motivating yourself. Otherwise why would working from home be any less productive than working with colleagues? Only difference is you’re on stage with people present, whereas you aren’t at home. Figure out how to motivate yourself better

likehelpful

Separate space really helps. If you have a door that shuts, it’s even okay to have a spouse and kids in your life. 😬
Also planned breaks either at specific times or between chunks of tasks: that way if my mind wanders to any distractions (I need to pee, I want coffee, I want to answer all those texts from my mom) I can stay focused by telling myself I am going to plow through some more work and wait until the next break to do all those things.

likesmart

For me dressing like how I would normally helps. I used to roll out of bed into sweatpants and that was part of my problem. Now I’m in business casual and it at least helps start my day right. That’s just my personal trick.

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I’ve had this same issue. Putting the phone in another room and using a sticky note with things I need to get done. This list does include personal tasks like laundry or gym but it helps me stay focused on what needs to get done each day

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Sticky note trick helps me as well

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That's twice as productive as I am in the office

likefunny

Not normal for me. I track my time with timeular, and avoid YouTube, Facebook, insta, etc.

Time/activity tracking was an instant productivity boost

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Sometimes it helps to charge my phone in my bedroom so I'm less distracted. And if you do need a quick break, you can make some coffee or do some light cleaning. Making a list helps too, as others have said.

I agree with what someone said above - an office has plenty of distractions too so don't beat yourself up too much! As long as the work is getting done.

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I used to work 3-4 hours a week from home .. totally normal but not good for your career

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How productive are you honestly in the office or at a client? I am willing to bet that your 4 hours at home is the equivalent of 8 in the office

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I think that's a lot for a Friday.

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I will be very productive when working from home and usually work very late as there are no specific work hours. Kinda hate it nowadays. The trick for me is it’s always a stressful client and deadlines etc. good luck though

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Is your work not getting done because you aren’t busy? Or you are just lazy when you’re home? I think those two things are different. I grind during the week and am available on Friday but not much client work gets done unless I really need to do client stuff. I do my expenses and internal stuff most fridays

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This is very normal. We spend our lives in hotels, when we are home we have better things to do quite frankly

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1) Prioritized action items, 2) caffeine, 3) put on noise cancelling headphones and good background music

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My question to you OP is why the hell do you want to work MORE? Go and enjoy life!

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