How to Be Productive at Home

Let me start by acknowledging the irony of the fact that I am writing about how to be productive at home in the middle of a season of life where at-home productivity has proven extra challenging. 

The kids have needed my attention, my husband has been working from home recently, the news has been anxiety-inducing at best, and I can’t seem to keep my house clean. 

Do you feel that, friend? 

If you feel like you’ll never catch up, or if you’re constantly playing the guilt game and telling yourself that “tomorrow….this, that and the other will go better” then it’s time to take some practical action to increase your productivity and your peace. 

If you want to learn more, be sure and watch the YouTube video by clicking below:

How to Be Productive At Home: Get Dressed

It’s simple but powerful. Spending a lazy morning in your pajamas may be tempting, but all too quickly your “lazy Saturday morning” turns into a full on “lazy Saturday”. If you’re struggling to be productive at home, make sure you’re starting your days on the right foot with a fresh outfit and a splash of jewelry or makeup – it can make all the difference in the world!

How to Be Productive At Home: Keep Your Spaces Tidy

There’s nothing that kills productivity faster than a cluttered work environment. Messes and disorganization breed stress and overwhelm, plus, you will eventually have to take the time to get things clean. Do your best to keep up with cleaning as you go rather than letting a space get really bad before you tackle it. You’ll save time in the long run and your mental health will thank you too!

How to Be Productive At Home: It’s All About the Habits

If you wake up every morning and have a battle with yourself about whether or not you’re going to make your bed, you’re wasting precious mental energy. Implementing habits is a must if you’re looking to be more productive at home. But which habits are the most important habits? (Or, as I call them in my mini ecourse Get Organized Once and For All, what’s your “rabbit habit”?) Here are some nudges to get you on the right track: 

• Choose ONE thing to focus on. 

Here’s the thing. All too often we try and make grandiose changes and revamp all of our routines and systems overnight, but that’s not very realistic. Pick just one attainable action that you will take every single day. This is your rabbit habit – you hop to it every day! 

• Follow That Momentum 

When possible, start your day with your rabbit habit. Then let the momentum of finishing one task lead you into the next. This is called The Domino Effect, you just keep on going, just like a row of dominoes falling onto each other. If you’re struggling to get your day started, force yourself to get one thing marked off your list and wait for the momentum to work its magic. 

• Post a Chart or Checklist

Writing a to do list or posting a chore chart has a two-fold effect. First, you’ll know where you’re headed for the day. When you’re ready to get started you’ll be able to dive right in rather than piddle-paddling around trying to decide where to start. Then you’ll get to see things slowly get marked off that list and visually see the progress you’ve made.  

How to Be Productive At Home: Connect with Your Deeper Why

Maybe it’s time to create a vision board, or maybe it’s simply time to jot down on a sticky note why you do the things you do. I remember the days of waking up in the wee hours of the morning to feed and change my babies. I certainly didn’t feel like it, but I love my children and it’s my responsibility to care and provide for them. When you’re struggling to pull through a difficult day, refer back to what you wrote down in response to the question, “Why do I do what I do?” 

How to Be Productive At Home: Tell Yourself the Truth

Watch out for negative self talk – it’s a mega motivation killer. There is a lot of power in what you tell yourself, so if you’re always telling yourself you can’t get anything done and you don’t have enough time, you’ll believe it. Start telling yourself the truth and be prepared for your motivation and productivity to drastically increase. 

How to Be Productive At Home: You Don’t Need Motivation!

You don't need to feel motivated to reach your goals. I know that's a little shocking to hear, and believe me, I need to be reminded of this often! But when you think about it, motivation doesn't actually impact your physical ability to get things done. I'll bet you brush your teeth every day whether you feel like it or not. When it comes down to it, you may just have to grit your teeth and push through, but you can do it!

Learning how to be productive at home is an ongoing process, and it’s one of those things where you never really “arrive”. Some days will be better than others, and from month to month or week to week you may find yourself tweaking your routines and habits to accommodate new life stages and needs. Keep on pushing and you’ll find your productivity trending upward in spite of those hicuups!