When not writing, I procrastinate. A lot.
Thirty minutes into work, I’ll wander off to other tabs to keep up with social media. Every freelancer relates to this.
I have been into freelancing for a decade, and I still struggle with this problem. Yet, I always complete tasks on time.
How do I get things done when my office is also my living room, my fridge won’t stop calling my name, and the TV is waiting to be switched on?
These are 10 tested and proven ways (by me) to remain focused when working from home.
1. Treat it Like a Job
It doesn’t matter what technique you use; if you do not treat your freelance work like a real job, it won’t work out, at least not that well.
Just because there’s no long morning commute or a boss looking over your shoulder doesn’t mean you should take it too casually.
The first step to being productive as a freelancer is to treat your work-from-home setup like a real job.
When the workday starts, sit at your desk and begin. When it ends, step away and resist the urge to keep working.
2. Dress the Part
We freelance because we can work in our pajamas. But it can negatively affect our mindset.
Getting dressed, even if it’s a clean T-shirt and jeans, signals to your brain that it’s time to work. You don’t need formal wear, just something that shifts your mind from home to work mode.
3. Schedule Ahead
As a creative, I’m not the most organized person. My ideas tend to pop in spontaneously. But if I let my muse take charge all the time, I’d waste time deciding what to do next, get caught up in distractions, and let tasks drag on longer than necessary.
To avoid all this, I schedule my day ahead to maximize productivity. One of my bedtime routines is to write down what I need to accomplish the following day.
This does two things. One, getting my thoughts down on paper gives me peace of mind and allows me a good night’s sleep. And two, it gives me more control over my day.
4. Set and Stick to Working Hours
When working from home, it’s easy to blur the lines between work and personal time. You are constantly tempted to start late, take long breaks, and work odd hours, which are guaranteed to throw off your productivity.
A good way to overcome this is to establish clear work hours like you would in an office. Say, maybe you will start working at 8 am (save that one commute hour) and take a break four hours later at mid-day.
Resume at 1 pm and work for one or two hours afterward, because six hours a day are enough to be productive.
I came across a LinkedIn user who said they take a stroll around the neighborhood in the morning before beginning work. The idea was to trick their mind that they were commuting to work.
5. Prioritize Hardest Tasks First
Your energy is highest in the morning, so it makes sense to use this time for the most challenging and high-impact tasks.
Time blocking is a powerful productivity technique that divides your day into specific work sessions. Instead of working aimlessly, assign time slots for different tasks.
It looks something like this:
8:00 am – 10:30 am: Deep work (writing, strategy, etc.)
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Short break
10:45 am – 12:00 pm: Admin work and collaboration tasks
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch break
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Wrap-up tasks, planning for the next day
I follow the Pomodoro Technique, where I intensively work on a task for 25 minutes before taking a 5-minute break. This also works.
Also Read: 20 Best Productivity Apps You Need in 2025
6. Take Breaks
You are not a machine; you need breaks to re-ignite (even machines need breaks). Our brains are not wired to focus for extended periods without rest.
During breaks, move around. Sitting for long hours is bad for your focus as it is bad for your health. Stand up, stretch, and walk around. A quick stretch or a few jumping jacks will help improve circulation and energy.
If possible, take a short walk outside. Natural light and fresh air boost mood and energy levels.
7. Eat Light
Lunch is my favorite part of the day. Some people opt for one or two meals a day. Not me. I love my diet.
But I also know being too full affects my productivity, especially with the afternoon heat. That’s why I eat light to prevent a food coma.
I want to be full but not so full that I can’t finish any work afterward.
8. Have a Dedicated Work Space
Your environment hugely impacts your focus. While it might seem comfortable to work from your bed or couch, having a dedicated space for work helps you remain disciplined.
It’s no problem if you are short on space. A small desk in the corner of a room works perfectly fine.
If you have room to spare, choose somewhere quiet with sufficient space. Invest in making your setup comfortable so that you can work for long hours without strain.
9. Minimize Distractions
I do all my household chores on Sunday to set me up for a productive week ahead.
If you don’t, you may be tempted to do a ‘quick’ chore like washing the dishes or doing laundry before work. Before you know it, half your workday is gone.
Remember, you are at work, not at home. Treat your work hours like you would if you were in the office. Save all chores for after work.
Pro Tip: Start work early, at 8 a.m. or even 7 a.m. if you can, so that you finish early, by 1 p.m. This gives you lots of time afterwards for all the chores you need to do.
10. Work Just Enough
Maybe you feel slumped because you work too much. Similar to how it can be difficult to get in the working groove, it can also be difficult to get out.
It’s easy to squeeze in ‘just one more task’ or answer an email late at night. At times, this may be necessary, but not always.
Six hours a day is enough to be productive. It’s never about how long you work but how much you get done. The goal is to stay productive without burning yourself out.
Work Smarter
It comes with its challenges, but working from home is fun and fulfilling.
Remember, the goal is not to be busy all day. It is to work efficiently, stay balanced, and make the most of your time.
What are you waiting for? Put these tips into action and reclaim your focus!
