Working from home and sometimes struggling to stay motivated? Let's take stock together of all the tips you need to know to be productive and feel good while working from home!
Since the pandemic, remote work has grown in popularity. Whether you work in a hybrid model (in the office and then working remotely a few days a week), work remotely 100% of the time, or are completely self-employed, this article is for you! We'll tell you everything about the impact of remote work on your productivity, how it can improve your well-being at work, and above all, the foolproof techniques for being more efficient when working from home.
What is productivity at work?
First, let's lay the groundwork. Here is the definition of productivity according to INSEE:
“In economics, productivity is defined as the volume ratio between output and the resources used to obtain it.”
In short, productivity at work means being efficient within a given timeframe. Thus, what will matter is your ability to achieve your goals by making the most of the time and resources available, rather than working for several hours without flexibility.
Remote work and productivity: positive effect or negative impact?
The benefits of working from home: mental health, productivity, and flexibility
It's an interesting question, often debated: what impact does remote work have on productivity?
According to the third report of the National Productivity Council (CNP):
“A one percentage point increase in employees working remotely would improve overall productivity by around 0.45%.”
The report, carried out by fifteen economists, highlights that increasing the share of remote workers in France by around 25% could, within twenty years, improve the productivity of the French economy by 5 to 9%. The reason? Remote work productivity is explained by the fact that employees spend less time commuting, are less prone to anxiety thanks to a better living environment. More efficient and happier, they would be more motivated to work and stay with their company, basically.
Another important piece of data: remote work offers greater flexibility, which is appreciated when juggling work and personal life. This is one of the reasons why remote work can lead to an increase in productivity.
So yes, as you might suspect, it also depends on many factors. Some people will be highly productive and fulfilled working remotely 100% of the time, others will prefer a hybrid solution with 2 days of remote work per week, while some are not fans of working from home.
In short, like everything else, you have to find your balance and establish a win-win deal between employees and employers. Because there is another major benefit: remote work makes it possible to recruit candidates without being constrained by geographic location.
The misconception about reduced productivity when working remotely
Ah, the famous misconception that remote workers are all lazy. Even if we've all had a Zoom meeting in our pajamas (yes, even you, way back there), that doesn't mean we're twiddling our thumbs while working from home!
The next time Uncle Gérard makes that comment at a family meal, you can shut him down. Because while in some cases, a drop in productivity is observed when working remotely, it is mainly when it comes to forced and unwanted remote work. Indeed, according to a study conducted by MIT in 2023, it is essential to look at which work environment is most conducive to employees depending on their respective profiles.
So yes, an analysis conducted by Stanford University suggests that there can be a 10 to 20% drop in productivity when working remotely, but that to counter this, it was important to look at things from another angle. Indeed, creating working conditions conducive to productivity, but also well-being and satisfaction at work, is a significant boost.
Finally, a new study by the OECD World Forum on productivity following the COVID pandemic also provided nuanced conclusions. The benefits of remote work are proven even if an ideal duration for it is observed. Studies highlight that 2 days of remote work per week is the ideal ratio for optimal productivity growth.
Let's keep in mind, however, that productivity is not the only indicator to consider. Job satisfaction and employees' mental health are just as important. In fact, when you are motivated and fulfilled in your job, that is when productivity is at its best.
Increasing productivity when working remotely: our tips
Now that you know all that, let's move on to the part that really interests you: how to be productive when working remotely? We're giving you our 7 tips to achieve it!
👌 Define your goals clearly
This is the foundation: review your goals, prioritize tasks, and break down processes into key steps. This will give you more visibility on the work to be done, allow you to anticipate the necessary resources and time, and plan dedicated work blocks to save time and be more efficient. And that is the very essence of productivity.
To define your goals, we recommend the SMART method:
- 🔍 S for Specific: you must define your goal precisely
- 📏 M for Measurable: don't start blindly and determine how to assess your progress and the validation of the goal
- ✅ A for Achievable: and also acceptable! Your goal must remain achievable
- 🙌 R for Realistic: it goes without saying
- ⏱️ T for Time-bound: don't forget to set a reasonable deadline taking into account all parameters
📆 Adopt a meticulous organization
This means an organization that suits you and works for you. Some people are more efficient in the morning, others can complete missions in a few hours in the evening. By knowing the time slots when you are most focused and productive, you can already block dedicated time slots for work, depending on the level of concentration required.
Our organization tips for remote work:
- 📝 Take some time to lay everything out: make a list of what needs to be done as a priority. You can do it in the morning or at the end of the day, as you prefer.
- ⌚️ Dedicate a time slot to a dedicated task and avoid multitasking: less distraction, more visibility on your actions.
- ✂️ Break down large tasks into steps: it immediately feels less daunting and allows you to make progress.
- 📦 Conversely, group similar tasks: this is what we call batching and it's a game changer!
- ⏸️ Establish break times: it is essential to take a breather, recharge your batteries to return to your desk more productive. Moreover, it is proven, taking a nap is good for your body and your mind. Let's put that there!
💡 To know: you can also boost all this thanks to our selection of digital productivity tools, which we invite you to read to give yourself every chance!
⏰ Set clear hours (and stick to them)
In home office, you can easily be tempted to extend your workday once it is over. Well yes, you are already at home, so why not get ahead on ongoing tasks, even if it means working a few extra hours?
Bad idea! By doing this, you may feel more productive, but that is not necessarily the case. If you exhaust yourself by exceeding the set working hours, it will bring nothing to the quality of your work or your mental health. Conversely, you can allow yourself to be more flexible if you gain productivity and finish your professional to-do list faster than expected.
So of course, overstepping the hours from time to time when necessary, why not. But increasing your workload and neglecting the set limits has an impact on your well-being and therefore your productivity.
Keep in mind that the most important thing is not the number of hours spent, but whether or not you met your goals, without exhausting yourself either. A balancing act that seems complicated, but you will get there with time!
👨💻 Avoid distractions and optimize concentration
Naturally, when we think of working from home, we also think of the risk of distractions! If your home is your workplace, you may sometimes find it difficult to stay focused.
Our ultimate tip is toestablish deep work blocks with zero distractions in your professional schedule. No need to cut yourself off from the world for 8 hours straight, a 45 to 90-minute session is enough to be efficient on a given task. You can also opt for noise-canceling headphones, activate do not disturb mode on your phone, or even try meditation to boost your concentration.
🛋️ Set up a comfortable workspace
You probably suspect that one of the key factors in staying effective at work is setting up an ergonomic workspace to avoid discomfort and musculoskeletal disorders. Good posture at your desk will put you in the best possible position to work, so don't overlook this detail!
Also, consider getting a pair of effective, stylish blue light glasses, especially if you work on a screen.
Beyond that, we also remind you that getting restful sleep and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help you perform throughout the day.
💬 Stay in touch with colleagues
Yes, working from home can sometimes make you feel isolated. But don't worry, there are solutions: calls, internal messaging, team-building events, internal training—you'll never be alone!
You don't need an open-plan office or daily meetings to encourage interaction, knowledge sharing, motivation, and team synergy. The crisis has also changed management and communication methods to adapt to everyone's needs.
🙏 Most importantly: don't put (too much) pressure on yourself
Why are we telling you this? Because we know that when working remotely, we always tend to judge ourselves and think we never do enough. It's the fault of the in-person culture and the drive to work overtime at all costs, which isn't necessarily synonymous with maximum productivity.
We now know that mental health is of paramount importance, whether at home, at work, or working from home. If you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses, optimize your working methods, and find your balance in this way of working (a few hours a week or 100%), you will become more productive.
Final word: being more productive when working remotely
- The work environment is one of the factors that can influence your productivity, for better or worse. It's therefore only natural to wonder how to optimize employee productivity through remote work.
- Some believe that productivity when working remotely is not consistent: the same is true when working in person, as we work in peaks and time slots and need to optimize our days accordingly.
- Conversely, many studies agree that productivity and well-being when working remotely are improved overall. Obviously, it all depends on your industry, habits, and preferences.
- For high productivity when working from home, we recommend setting clear and achievable goals, adopting an organization based on deep work sessions (shorter, but more intense), and planning a dedicated space. Also, don't forget to take care of your physical and mental health—it's essential!
