If you are trying to figure out how to work from home right now you are not alone. Millions of people are in a similar situation and they are not sure what to do. The idea of working from home seems great but soon after, people realize that in many cases, it’s harder than going to the office. Why is that? Why is this so difficult to do and stay productive? The easiest answer is distractions. You have ten times the distractions at home that you do at the office as well as your mindset.

So, how can you maintain a level of productivity? These tips will help:

  1. Turn the TV off: This is the most important thing. Just because you are home doesn’t mean you can have the television on in the background and think you’re going to be able to keep working. Whether it’s the news or a show you love, it’s a distraction.
  2. Give yourself a work area away from everyone: If you have children, things can get a little hectic being at home so much. Try to make sure you are working in an area that is secluded and away from distractions as much as possible.
  3. Don’t sleep in: It can be very tempting to sleep in, especially since you do not have to drive into work. However, this is a big mistake because what usually happens when you sleep in is that you are not ready to get to work at 9 because you’re still waking up. Instead, wake up at your normal time and go for a walk or clean the house. That way, you’re wide awake at 9 and ready to get to work.
  4. Eat the same food: If you eat a bagel in the morning at or before work, don’t turn it into 2 eggs, toast, bacon and a bowl of fruit just because you’re at home and have time to cook. The more you eat, the more sluggish you will feel during the day.

If you are not sure how to make working from home actually work, these tips can help you to get started and stay productive. Never put off what needs to be done or can be done, otherwise you are trying to catch up at 8 pm while everyone else is relaxing and watching television.