The trend of home-based offices is expected to grow in the United States as single-person businesses increase in popularity. The U.S. Census Bureau reported the addition of nearly 4 million one-person businesses between 2000 and 2005.
Yet the self-employed are far from alone in the home-office sector. About 20.7 million people worked from home at least one day a week as a part of their primary job in 2004. This accounts for about 15 percent of the total U.S. workforce, according to the Census Bureau.
Worker output is a main concern as more people bring their careers inside the home. Here are five tips to combat boredom, minimize distractions and create a productive work environment:
Create a Daily To-Do List for Work Tasks
Establish working hours in the home office and create a list of five tasks to complete each work day. By setting and reaching regular goals, home-based workers create a sense of accountability. In addition, they feel a sense of accomplishment once the tasks are completed, which is motivating in itself.
Turn the TV off while Working
The TV is one of the greatest distractions in the home. Often, people don’t realize just how much time has passed as they stare blankly at the screen. Simply vow to keep it off during working hours to decrease disruptions.
Create a Productive Work Environment in the Home
Establish a room or section of the home that’s only used for business purposes. Make it private, well-organized and incorporate calming items such as soft music or motivational posters.
Expand the Home Office Outside the Home
Sometimes distractions in the home become too tempting to ignore. The beauty of a home office is that it can be moved, especially for those who work from a laptop. Consider working in a coffee shop, public library or cooperative workspace. The change of scenery can spark creativity, and many of these locations offer free wireless Internet access.
Take an Exercise Break During the Work Day
It’s easy to feel stifled in a home office. Take a quick exercise break outside or at the gym can help clear the mind and increase energy throughout the entire day.
A home office can be a very productive work environment as long as it’s treated as a workspace. Set daily goals, take action to minimize distractions and allow time for breaks. For more information on creating and organizing a home office, visit Setting up a Home Office and Childproof Your Home Office.
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