As of this writing, many parts of the world continue to fight against the novel coronavirus through social distancing, quarantines and other measures. Millions are forced to work from home as employers strive to carry on with operations in the midst of the pandemic.

While remote work may spare some companies from bankruptcy, it may not benefit workers in terms of their motivation.

Few people may find it easy to stay focused on work when there are major changes in their environment. Most struggle finding the drive when all they can think about is keeping loved ones safe and provided for. Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle. You know it’s important to keep working to maintain your income, but there are days when you just can’t get anything done.

Sometimes, our brains wander so much that we don’t have any inspiration left to go on with our day. The good news is that there are ways we can boost our motivation immediately. Below we share tips and tricks to give you that much-needed push to the finish line.

Have a space dedicated for work

Nothing can be more distracting than sitting in front of the TV or in the kitchen. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to have a room to convert into an exclusive home office. Consider allocating a section of your living room or setting up your workstation in your bedroom instead.

Set ground rules with your roommates or family so they won’t disturb you during working hours. If possible, put away your bed so you won’t be tempted to take long naps when you should be finishing your tasks.

Don’t forget to equip your space with whatever you might need, be it a tumbler of water, a drawing tablet or a motivational poster.

Have a routine to do every morning

Being home-based, you don’t need to wake up early to get dressed for the office or endure the commute. Being indoors all day can wreak havoc on your metabolism and mood though!

The solution: Step out of the house even if it’s just until the yard or garage. Get some of that vitamin D and fresh air—without breaking quarantine rules.

Don’t forget to eat breakfast too, so you have enough fuel to last until lunchtime. We don’t recommend sweet foods (e.g. frosted cornflakes) as you might end up with a sugar crash.

Rather, opt for food that’s high in carbohydrates such as oatmeal or wheat bread. A rice meal with some eggs or meat is good too.

Have celebrations for reaching milestones

Think about what you’re trying to achieve for the long-term then list them down.

Next, break them down into tasks that you’ll need to finish by the end of the day. There are plenty of mobile apps or project management software to help you track your goals. Examples include Strides on iOS and Trello on the web.

As you tick-off items on your list, give yourself a reward for every few you finish. For instance, you can have a bite of dark chocolate after every five tasks done.

Doing so will allow you to feel a sense of accomplishment as well as increase your serotonin levels and trigger a dopamine release. All of these work to improve your mood.

Have a break every now and then

Work can pile up and it can be tempting to power through until the workday has ended. Sadly, you’re more likely to burn yourself out from tackling too many things at once.

Science tells us that taking regular breaks is better for boosting productivity so don’t give in to the temptation of “just ten minutes more”.

A mental break, such as when you daydream, can improve your brain function and help you make connections. Stepping away from your work for 17 minutes enables you to reevaluate your goals so you can track them better too.

Here’s an idea: walk around the house to chat with your family members; it can serve as a good break.

Have the desire to do better

Things won’t change unless you’re willing to commit to getting motivated and productive. You have to make it your mission to accomplish good results.

Well, considering that you’re reading this article right now, it means that you have the interest at the very least.

Self-improvement also involves asking for feedback. It’s scary enough to receive constructive criticism—all the more when you’re the one to ask for it!

This is a necessary part of becoming a better version of yourself. If you lack in certain areas, you can change it up. If you’re doing well, you’ll get an ego boost. It’s a win-win.

Remote Workmate Can Help

The news about COVID-19 and the country may sometimes be worrying, but you mustn’t let it take up too much of your time or rule over your emotions. Realize that you must continue to work hard if you want to be able to provide for your loved ones and yourself during these trying times.

We hope the tips above will get you motivated.

If you’re looking to shift to remote work, we can help; Remote Workmate can connect you with remote clients. We also provide various resources on everything you need to know about working from home. Let’s work together and make it through this!