Four strategies to use when you’re heading toward burn out and struggling to focus

If you are still working from home and find you are struggling to stay productive, you are not the only one. Many have reached the point where they cannot wait to head back to the office. But what about those entrepreneurs that have always worked from home and don’t have an outside office to return to? Finding a way to stay focused, organized, and motivated is critical and yet feels harder than ever, after the year we’ve all just experienced.

As someone who has been working from home for the past four years, here are four strategies I've learned to embrace in this situation:

Set your home office up for success

My office is in a relatively quiet part of my home and yet, it has taken a few different arrangements for me to feel settled and productive in the space. In the most recent arrangement, I turned my desk to face the window letting more natural light hit my desk. I also purchased a wireless printer so I could remove the old printer from my workspace and have more space on my desk. Keeping my space clean and tidy reduces distractions and gives me a better shot at staying focused during my work hours.

I also try to tune out everything else going on in the home like a noisy dryer and set the temperature a little lower than comfortable which helps me stay focused. (By the way, as spring has sprung in most of the US, make sure your air conditioners are working and ready and if you’re in the Houston area, be sure to check out this 24 hour AC service contractor.)

Structure your workday in the way that fits your style best

You may find that you struggle to focus because there's no structure in place or you’re trying to use someone else’s ideal structure that doesn’t work for you. Find the right day for you to do long-term tasks, and if you struggle to focus but are aware of a small window where you are in peak flow, use this to your advantage. It could be a specific time of day, for example, before others in your house get up, but it is about making sure that you choose a structure that works for you. For example, I use small windows of work time to do mundane tasks like catching up on emails, accounting work, and repetitive tasks that are easy to pick back up if I get distracted or interrupted. On longer workdays, I concentrate on website design, graphic design work, or writing longer content. You should also use tools that help keep you accountable for how you spend your time. For instance, you can use a calendar to plan your week ahead and stay on track. And, to make things more enjoyable, use a calendar maker to make your own version. If you include images of places and/or people you like, you’ll feel more motivated and inspired with every glance at your calendar.

Find accountability partners 

As entrepreneurs who either work solo or in remote teams, it can be difficult to hold yourself accountable. (After all, no one is going to know if you slip out for a two-hour lunch or ditch that project in lieu of an afternoon walk). But finding others in a similar work situation to keep you accountable can be a great way to stay motivated and engaged in your work. Ask a friend to check in with you at the end of each week and you can return the favor. Or, find an online group where you can post your wins for the week!

Don’t give up when you’re tired - take a break
No one, I mean no one, is going to question someone who needs a break right now. Sometimes, when we hit a wall, we find ourselves wanting to quit altogether instead of simply taking a break. Start by giving yourself one full day without work, if you can. Sometimes even just this 24-hour window is enough to help you let go of the dread and revive some of the creativity you need. If that doesn’t do the trick, consider taking a week or two away if possible to recharge and recenter your priorities. If you still feel like giving it all up after that, you’ll know that you gave it a good run and maybe feel inspired to try something new!

Until next time,

Andrea