10 productivity hacks for millennials who work from home

Working from home has become the dream for most millennials, and for many of them, it has become a reality. If you currently working from home, here are ten productivity hacks to guarantee a successful work day every day.

1. Perfect your morning routine

There are endless studies about successful people and their morning routines. The best way to guarantee a productive work day is to establish a morning routine that works best for you.

Do you want to spend every morning doing an hour of yoga before work? Would you rather drink coffee and catch up on your favorite blogs before starting your day? Figure out what gets you moving in the morning and stick with it.

2. Find your “creative hours”

A common mistake millennials make when working from home is they force themselves to work during their most unproductive hours of the day.

For example, does your mind shut off by 3 p.m. each day? Consider waking up an extra hour or two earlier in the morning to get important tasks accomplished. When you find the hours you’re most productive, you’ll feel less overwhelmed at work.

3. Create a “tomorrow list” every day

Many productive workers create to-do lists each day to keep them focused. However, a “tomorrow list” is an even better way to get yourself motivated for the following work day.

As you wrap up your work day, take a few minutes to write down important tasks you must accomplish tomorrow. This way, when you log onto work the next day, you already know what needs to get done.

4. Establish an office away from home

When working from home, it’s easy to get a little bit of cabin fever. Especially if you’ve been going nuts after not leaving your house for a week or two, it might be a sign you need to change up your workspace.

Scope out your area for a local Starbucks or a coworking space to move your office to for a day. This is a great way to switch up your work environment and keep your creative juices flowing. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to interact with other people.

5. Work like a boss

Staying productive while working from home is another challenge for millennials. Especially when you don’t have a person physically checking in with you throughout the day, it can be hard to stay on top of your tasks.

To overcome the struggles of procrastination, adapt your work mindset to “work like a boss.” Put yourself in the shoes of one of your supervisors, and think about what they accomplish during a day. This should inspire you to work harder and make the most of your time.

6. Race the clock

Another way to beat procrastination is to work against the clock. For example, if you’re writing an article for a client, give yourself 30 minutes to write as much as you can for the piece. This forces you to get as many ideas written down as possible without any distractions. After your time is up, take a few minutes to look away from your work and then return to it with fresh eyes for the editing phase.

7. Enjoy your flexible schedule

Working from home provides millennials with numerous perks. This is probably the only work environment where you can do a load of laundry on your lunch break or take your dog for a walk.

For example, use your flexible schedule to make lunch plans with a friend or go grocery shopping in the afternoon. As long as you’re getting your work done and your boss is pleased with your performance, there shouldn’t be an issue making room in your day for a few personal tasks. 8. Stay active

Fitness is key to having a happy work-life balance when telecommuting. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed at work, make time in your day to get refreshed. For example, after working for two hours in the morning, take some time to go for a jog. This gives your brain a chance to recharge and gives you a change of scenery.

9. Find your “zone”

The key to productivity is figuring out what boosts your productivity most during the work day. Does listening to music or a podcast during the day get your creative juices flowing? Or do you need complete silence to help you focus? Whatever environment boosts your productivity and gets you in the zone, make sure you take advantage of it each day in order to get work done.

10. Communicate with your boss

One of the best ways to make sure you’re productive at work is to communicate with your boss. The very moment you feel you’re going to miss a deadline or you’re stumped on a project, reach out to your boss. Communicating with your boss can provide you with clarity during your work day and get you re-focused.