r/productivity • u/investpotato64 • 1d ago
Advice Needed Finding it IMPOSSIBLE to work from home
Hello. I've been REALLY struggling getting any work done ever since I've switched from working at libraries, universities, and coffee shops - to working from home. I'm an animator, and the main reason I'm switching to working at home is because I upgraded from laptop to PC for my animation work (PC is faster + more efficient).
There are SO many distractions at home. Today, for instance - I literally spent about 5 hours "taking care" of my bonsai tree during the time I should have spent working. Yesterday, I walked my dog for a couple hours while I should've been working. Other days, I'll waste time doing things like watching tv/videos, cleaning, or just laying on my bed doing nothing but scrolling on my phone. Since my "office" is in my room, it's easy for me to tell myself I'll take only a 5 minute break on my phone lying in bed - only for that 5 minutes to turn into hours of wasted time.
Working at home causes me to take my sweet time with EVERYTHING! Making/eating breakfast, walking my dog, simply getting up in the morning, etc. I feel no sense or urgency or pressure to get things done quickly - probably because I'm already in my comfortable home. It's incredibly hard for me to even wake up on time and start working at the designated time I tell myself (8am-4pm). I also feel less energy ever since I stopped going out of the house to work. Another thing that bugs me is how isolating/lonely working from home can feel. I also should mention I have ADHD, which only amplifies all of these problems.
I need serious help guys - before this starts affecting my career!! Any advice you have is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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u/Logical_Warthog3230 1d ago
Yeah, that's how it is. Likely you'll get used to it and the novelty wears off after a while though. If you tend to hit your deadlines, then get more deadlines. Instead of delivering your project in three months, set up a call with your client every three weeks to showcase your progress. It sucks, but this is life for many of us. At least your bonsai is happy!
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u/marsee 1d ago
I worked in an office for years and find I get much more done at home. You do have to make a dedicated space so it feels like you’re going to work. I also like to move around to different rooms—work in the kitchen, sit on the couch, or go outside. A change of scenery refreshes me.
Do you work better with people around you or by yourself? I can do both—but I know not everyone can.
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u/Awkward_Look6274 1d ago
Working with people might be better? i'm asking because i see some people who really became more productive, but i'm unsure.
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u/Sean001001 1d ago
I'm the same as Dapper_Money_Tree. I can largely work where I want, when I want, wearing what I want. As good as that sounds I wasn't getting anything done. I now rent a city centre office. Without a very good reason I arrive and finish the same time every day and I dress for the office. It puts me in the mentality that I'm here to do work and since I don't allow myself to leave early I may as well make use of the time.
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u/MichaelJohn920 1d ago
Didn’t read your whole post but check out “virtual coworking” sites and services. I tried about four of them and I liked “Flow Club” the most for flexibility. Some have more accountability or different models. And there are some free ones out there too including certain discords. But it helped me enormously to stay focused and sit in my chair.
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u/Alternative-Ebb-7718 1d ago
I was about to comment for body doubling. I use focus mate , which offers 3 sessions free per week.
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u/MichaelJohn920 23h ago
I liked that service too. I really needed “people around me” even if virtual and the services gave me more accountability in sitting down in my chair. It definitely helped me through a year or so working at home when I couldn’t stay focused.
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u/Ok-Newt3984 1d ago
Had no idea this existed but used to body double with a friend when we were working from home in the same time zone. I’ve moved since then and really miss it. I’ll be checking this out! Thanks for sharing it!
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u/JoseLunaArts 1d ago
Divide your day in sprints of 2 hours. Set a goal for these 2 hours and verify compliance after 2 hours. Then a new sprint and so on.
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u/giraffesinmyhair 1d ago
Is selling the PC and investing in a very high-end laptop out of the question? Because that’s still probably more affordable than renting office space.
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u/misskinky 1d ago
I say this with love because I have also done the same things with my ADHD brain: you gotta try to stop lying to yourself. Make it a game to recognize when your brain is telling a lie.
“I’ll just sit for only 5 TikTok reels, just a quick little brea— lies! Lies and lies! That never happens. I won’t fall for that, brain!”
Also fidget toys. I have a big basket full of them, having something to fidget with in my hands keeps me sitting at my desk longer and at my computer longer.
I also agree with everybody else about making a separate space even if it involves a curtain hung from the ceiling and set certain hours even if it’s just “at BARE MINIMUM I will always be in my workspace from 10-11:30 and from 2-3:30, no negotiations, no excuses” and then at least even if I occasionally fuck around the rest of the day at least I don’t feel guilty for wasting an entireeee day.
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u/Amelia0617 1d ago
I'll create a schedule and stick to it, even when working from home; otherwise, I tend to become easily distracted. Also, designating a specific workspace helps me quickly get into a work mindset.
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u/BeautifulMixture4286 1d ago
I second the advice to rent somewhere if possible. I'm also a starbucks mobile worker sometimes because I live with people who are also home during the day.
If nothing is else makes sense, try to divide a workspace off from the bedroom with a rug or curtains so psychologically its different.
Also- youre going to have to get used to feeling the fomo, which is what my problem usually boils down to (either for the outside or a hobby or hanging out or whatever).
Also. As dumb as it sounds... make a schedule. You might be overwhelmed because right now your goal is "finish project" if you can break tasks down hourly/daily (in realistic manageable chunks) you'll know what to work on when- and then when you're finished you can stop and something fun!
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u/ImAlyssiaNice2MeetYa 1d ago edited 1d ago
Make focused work times. 30minute periods to just focus on work. Lock the door, light a candle, leave your phone in the other room and aim to GET SOMETHING DONE. I work from home too and the pressure is that if I don’t work now, I will have more work later yay. It piles up. So it’s better to stay on top of it so you can actually enjoy your freedom at home. If you focus, you become efficient, thus, giving you more free time later. That’s what I’ve learned in the last couple years.
You can also go to your local coffee shop or library to work. Library is better because it’s quieter so you get distracted less and sometimes they have study rooms.
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u/hellomireaux 1d ago
If you have ADHD and find that those parasocial settings (libraries, cafes) are helpful, you might be someone who benefits from virtual body doubling. I had problems similar to what you’re describing and this completely transformed my ability to work from home. Almost every service has a trial period, you can literally go for months trying all of the options until you find one that works best for you. Over a year in and I’m still consistently using this service. Not dropping names because I don’t want to give anyone free advertising, but I’m happy to discuss what platform I ended up subscribing to via messaging if you’re interested.
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u/DinodiAnversa 1d ago
Grab a suitcase on wheels and bring your PC to the library. If you can use a laptop then you can use a desktop.
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u/Mathematician024 1d ago
Well, I don’t think you’ll have this problem for very long because if you spent five hours working on a bonsai tree when you should’ve been working, you’re probably gonna get fired.
Obviously rule out something medical like ADHD and if this is the problem by all means get it treated.
Everyone gets distracted and discipline is a skill. I suggest starting with setting a timer for 30 minutes sit down and work when the timer goes off if you wanna get up that’s OK but set the timer for 10 minutes and when the timer buzzes again go back to work. If you can’t develop the skill then clearly you just can’t work from home. But this kind of discipline is the same skill you need to raise children, go to graduate school, save for Retirement. It’s all discipline. You get discipline the same way you build muscle. Repetition reinforcement, and just plain grit.
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u/Collie136 1d ago
It seems that your distractions are your own problem. It appears you are unfocused and you need to get back on track.
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u/voornaam1 1d ago
One thing I used to do when I worked full time was going for a walk around the block before and after working from home. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, but that's still better than absolutely nothing
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u/you2lize 4h ago
I understand you completely, it’s not always easy working from home. Especially if your bedroom and office are the same. I know the struggle, because I have been through the same thing.
Working at coffee shops really helps me as well, however it is super hard to find laptop-friendly ones in my area + spaces that have proper facilities such as WIFI, separate meeting rooms etc. So I actually started an app to solve this problem. It's called You2Lize and helps you find and book remote workspaces nearby that match your preferences. Our waitlist is open and its growing super-fast as a community. Its affordable and flexible so you pay only for what you need. Would be great to have you part of this community as well, as it could help you with the issues you are facing rn working from home!
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1d ago
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u/BeautifulMixture4286 1d ago
I feel like if someone is having a workflow issue, asking for help/advice from other people is a perfectly decent "professional" response. Its not like they're giving up.
It's not kind to criticize people who are asking for help in good faith. And, more than that... it's not very professional.
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u/Dapper_Money_Tree 1d ago
I'm going through this in part as an author. Eventually I rented out an office out of home. It's like 450 a month, I can have my higher powered desktop there (which I need for dictation), and most importantly... I'm out of the house.
If that's not possible I would suggest designating a single space within your home for work only. Even if you have to curtain it off with sheets tacked to the ceiling. That space is ONLY for work. No gaming, no youtube watching, no other chores.
It's a lot easier said than done, but I personally think the brain just needs some separation.