Working from home is a mix of freedom and friction. The freedom is obvious. The friction is all the tiny decisions that steal your focus. Here are seven practical, tested ways to shift from distracted to actually getting things done with clear actions for each tip so you can try them right away.

1. Create a dedicated workspace

You do not need a whole room. You do need a reliable place that signals your brain: “work mode.”
Action steps: pick one spot, clear the clutter, add a lamp and a comfy seat. Keep only work-related items there. If you must move around, keep a “work kit” (notebook, pen, charger, headphones) so setup is fast. Treat this space like an appointment you show up to.

2. Time block with theme blocks

Block your day into chunks and assign a theme to each block. Themes reduce decision fatigue.
Example: 9–11 Focus Work, 11–12 Admin, 1–2 Learning, 2–4 Deep Project.
Action steps: use your calendar to block these times, set those blocks as busy, and protect them like meetings. Start by planning tomorrow’s blocks the night before.

3. Start with a tiny morning ritual to prime focus

A short ritual signals the brain that work is starting and makes the first 10 minutes less fussy.
Ideas: make a cup of tea, write three priorities for the day, or do a 3-minute breathing exercise.
Action steps: pick one thing you will do before opening email. Do it for a week and notice how it reduces morning drift.

4. Use the two-minute rule and task batching

If a task takes two minutes or less, do it now. For similar small tasks, batch them together so you do them once and move on.
Example: schedule all quick replies, invoice processing, and admin tasks into one 30 minute slot instead of spreading them out.
Action steps: create two lists Quick Wins and Batch Tasks. When your energy dips, clear Quick Wins. When energy is high, tackle a Batch Task block.

5. Lock down digital distractions

Notifications, social apps, and open tabs are focus leaks. Remove them.
Practical moves: turn off nonessential notifications, use a website blocker for distracting sites during focus blocks, and keep your phone in another room for deep work.
Action steps: pick one blocker app, set it for your first two Focus Work blocks, and observe the difference.

6. Use Pomodoro plus a mid-block goal

Pomodoro gives structure, but add a mid-block goal to stay motivated.
How: work 25 minutes, break 5 minutes, repeat four times then take a longer break. For each 25 minute block, set one tiny goal you will complete.
Action steps: before each Pomodoro, write a single sentence goal. At the end, mark progress. Small wins stack into momentum.

7. End the day with a two minute review and a plan for tomorrow

Close the loop so your brain can rest and your next day starts simple.
Review steps: list what you finished, what you did not, and pick the top three priorities for tomorrow. Put those three in your calendar as time blocks. Then close your laptop.
Action steps: keep a simple notebook or a single note titled “Daily Wrap” and fill it out every evening for five minutes.

Quick extras you can add right no

• Use a timer app and a sticky note with your top three priorities.
• Swap one social media check for a 10 minute walk. Movement resets focus.
• Try a “no meeting day” once a week to protect deep work.