Before the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home for many people sounded like a dream. But reality hits you hard when you have to live and work in the same place. And this can become even worse if your space is small and you don't have a separate home office. But you still have to work and, somehow, stay productive! So how to maintain productivity, and at the same time, feel comfortable in your home office? Let's take a look at how you can improve your productivity by taking these simple steps.

1. Create an Appealing Environment

The most crucial aspect of productive office space is a comfy chair and desk. You're sitting for more than seven hours, so make sure you're not sitting on a bar chair. Check out this guide if you need a new computer desk. There are cheap options on stores like IKEA, so you don't need to spend a fortune to create a comfortable workspace.

Do yourself a favor, and make sure that your desk is decluttered, that your floor is clean, and that there are no piles of dirty laundry. Tidiness is one of the most crucial aspects that create a more productive environment. Think about this - is your ordinary office space neat or dirty? Is there dust on your desk? Are the trash bins always full? Are there piles of dishes laying around your table? Probably not. So make your home office look as similar as possible to your ordinary office.

2. Get up Every Day at the Same Time

Always get up at the same time and make it early! It's not the best practice to wait until noon to check your email and then realize that you have an hour to prepare food. If you're having trouble getting up at seven - don't worry. Set the alarm for seven-thirty in the first week. Your body will get used to it quickly, and in the next week, you'll be able to get up at seven.

3. Divide Your Workday Into Parts

Let's face it - you can't spend eight hours in a row doing the same job. Therefore, our suggestion is to divide your tasks into parts of one or two hours and include short breaks between them. By doing this, you will get a sense of achievement after finishing even a small task. You'll be less stressed and feel more productive.

4. Eliminate Distractions

Dogs, cats, children, roommates - our beloved and heavy little monsters! Lock the doors and zone out from them during the workday. Also, turn off your TV and put aside your smartphone. Better yet, turn on your favorite music or nature sounds - it will help you to stay focused. If your apartment is small, and you have to be in the same area, put on noise-canceling headphones.

5. Stock Your Refrigerator and Pantry

You can imagine what happens when it's two o'clock, you have a lot of work to do, and your fridge is empty. You go to the supermarket, bring the groceries back, cook, wash the dishes and it's already five o'clock. Stock your fridge for the whole week. Better yet, stay at home and order groceries online.

6. Go for a Walk

Even during the pandemic, you should get at least some outdoors time. How can you stay productive if you lock yourself between the same four walls for weeks?

7. Get Dressed

We have to agree, working in pajamas can sometimes be the best thing, but we believe that too much comfort can also be a downfall. Comfy clothes might get you too comfortable and make you sleepy. Therefore, dress as if you had to go outside, and this alone will make you more productive.

8. Set Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Goals

To increase productivity, define both short-term and long-term goals. Write them down on a list and put it where you can see it often. Achieving small goals will increase your productivity and help you to finish long-term goals.

9. Prepare for Tomorrow

This point may sound very catastrophic, but don't worry - it's not the apocalypse (yet!). Before the end of the day, prepare a list of the tasks you'll have to accomplish tomorrow and organize them by parts. And don't forget to fill the fridge!

10. Love Yourself

Working hard without a reward is not very motivating. So, after your workday is done, spend time doing what you like: go for a run, watch a movie, give yourself a relaxing bath, etc. Have a great time and enjoy a job well done - you deserve it.