How to Stay Focused in Your Remote Job During the Holidays

Whether you’re a master at avoiding distractions and stay focused no matter what or have struggled with that aspect of remote work from the beginning, the busy holiday season offers up a unique level of diversions unparalleled to any other time of year.

If you still have a ton of work to do, but that eggnog in the fridge downstairs is calling your name, fear not. These suggestions will help you get all the items crossed off your to-do list quickly so you can get on with the celebrating.

How to Stay Focused in Your Remote Job During the Busy Holiday Season:

Get started on the right foot.

Your day can go downhill quickly when you get started on the wrong foot. If your family is around for the holidays, make it a priority to spend a little time with them in morning—at least grab coffee or eat breakfast with them—before even turning on your computer. This way you won’t feel guilty about ignoring them, you’ll have started your day with a little festive spirit, and, hopefully, you’ll be ready to get some work done so you can get back to the celebrating.

Set up a reward system.

Rather than forcing yourself to completely shut out the festive holiday season during work hours (because when does that ever work, really), set up a reward system that allows you to celebrate small victories (like a deadline met or conference call that went well) with a festive treat.

Try relocating.

If you simply can’t get anything done in your own home because the kids aren’t in school, the holiday music is blasting, and you can smell the gingerbread baking in the oven, consider relocating for at least a couple hours to get some work done. If a local coffee shop is even too festive for you, the library will probably do.

Block all distracting websites.

Try a plug-in like StayFocusd for Google Chrome that allows you to limit the amount of time you can spend on time-wasting websites like Twitter and Facebook.

Set some boundaries.

The best part of the holidays is being home with loved ones, but if everyone else’s holiday has started before yours, be sure to set some boundaries. Let everyone know that you can’t wait to hang out and be jolly, but that you still have work to get done, and interruptions just mean it’ll take you longer to do that. Set office hours so the kids know when they can come and visit and when you’ll be plugging away.

Be strategic about your breaks.

If you’re itching to celebrate the holiday season but still feel shackled to your seat to finish work, try to be strategic about how you spend your breaks so that you make the most out of them. If that means getting in a little online holiday shopping during your lunch break or hopping outside quickly to build a snowman with the kids for 15 minutes in between calls, then by all means, go for it!

At the end of the day, try not to stress over holiday distractions too much. It happens once a year, and then you’ll be back to your normal routine in no time.

Photo Credit: bigstockphoto.com

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By Cheryl Lock | Categories: Work Remotely

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