10 home office productivity tips

When you run a business from home, your productivity is the factor that determines what you can achieve.

With the right strategies and investment in the proper tools you can help grow your small business and position it for success. Learn how these strategies and solutions, like PitneyShip™ shipping software, can help improve your productivity at home.

Close to 1 in 3 home-based workers feel that they have a hard time separating business and their personal lives.

The good news is there are some simple strategies that can help. And with the right professional solutions, such as PitneyShip, you can adjust your home setup to run and feel like a proper small business operation.

These 10 tips will help you get the most out of your living space and while growing your home-based business:

1. Standardize processes for your home business

Keep receipts, documents and files stored in a dedicated cabinet. Set up a routine when shipping orders. Keep the office tidy. Be a stickler for procedure. This allows you to maintain a constant level of professionalism across your operations and establish protocols within your home-based company.

2. Ensure that you have proper lighting

Studies have shown that proper lighting is not only good for your eyes, but your mental health as well. A dark basement is not the ideal place to work. Invest in some lamps and bright LED lightbulbs that give off a white light. Try to work in an area where sunlight is abundant.

3. Separate business and pleasure

Draw a line between your business and your personal life. It’s tempting to work from your sofa only to end up distracted by the television. Create a dedicated workspace away from the areas where you relax. Set a clear working schedule to avoid procrastinating during work hours.

4. Ergonomic rules still apply at home

Invest in a setup you’ll enjoy working at, even if it’s just a side-hustle. Consider purchasing an ergonomic chair, a standing desk or whatever office furniture that will make you more productive and comfortable.

5. Automate as many tasks as you can

With only 24 hours in a day, your time is better spent on important tasks that will help grow your business. Automate as much as you can. A smart assistant can help you stay organized. If you run an eCommerce business, software like PitneyShip can organize and validate customer addresses before you ship out packages.

6. Create a green workspace

Surround yourself with plants and greenery to boost your mood. Studies have shown that employees are 15% more productive when their workplaces include some houseplants. Plants help get you psychologically engaged while promoting happiness, which results in better work.

7. Dress for success

Rolling out of bed and wearing your pajamas all day may be simpler, but it can also affect your overall productivity. Getting dressed allows you to present the version of yourself you want to be to the world and puts you in the right frame of mind. You’re your own boss, so set your own dress code.

8. Get some fresh air

Get out of the house and take meaningful breaks. When working alone, it can be easy to lose track of time. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery or time to recharge. 77% of small business owners have stated that they feel the effects of burnout. Even well-known workaholics like Bill Gates know the importance of taking time to relax.

9. Stay connected for a better working situation

One study shows that 21% of home-based workers feel lonely from time to time. Isolation is great for concentrating, but stifles creativity and reduces motivation in longer intervals. Dedicate time for face-to-face contact, be it through weekly meetings, discussions, or just working remotely from a coffee shop or coworking space.

10. Invest in the right tools

Working from home allows you to save on office space rent. However, you should always invest in the equipment needed to get tasks done properly. Accounting software is a must if you track expenses. If you ship packages regularly, invest in shipping software like PitneyShip to weigh parcels, print shipping labels and schedule pickups. With the right tools in place, you’ll be able to concentrate on the tasks at hand without feeling like something is missing.