Working from home sounds like a dream until you realise how easy it is to get distracted. One minute you are replying to emails, and the next, you are doing laundry, scrolling Instagram, or wondering what's for lunch.

Things can get tricky when trying to work, and with working from home? Well, there is no end to the loops working in your home setting can get, especially with focus, punctuality, and self-discipline.

But worry not because there is a solution to everything when you look at it from the lens of simplicity. And that's exactly why I am going to share five surprisingly simple (and totally effective) ways I have found to be more productive while working from home.

These are the small shifts and "hacks" I personally tried when the usual tricks stopped working - and remarkably, they made a big difference.

1. Give each day a personality

I know it might sound a little cheesy or even weird, but you need to hear me out.

So, instead of having the same routine every day, what I did was to assign a theme or personality to each workday:

• Monday = Brainstorming Boss (creative tasks only)
• Tuesday = Finisher Energy (wrap up pending stuff)
• Wednesday = Client Vibe (meetings, communication)
• Thursday = Deep Work Ninja (only deep work and no distractions)
• Friday = Flex & Flow (catch-up + learning)

This playful approach helped a lot to keep things fresh and also helped me prepare mentally for what was coming, minus the dread.

Why it works: This is a great way to ensure lesser decision fatigue and also give your mind variety - which boosts creativity and focus.

2. Dress like you mean it (even if no one's watching)

Working in pajamas sounds fun, but personally, it made me feel like I was in lazy mode all day. So, the only inevitable solution was to actually dress up, nothing fancy, but something that would definitely give the vibe and sit down to work.

It worked really well, like a psychological trick, and made my approach more serious towards focus and discipline. It shifted my energy from "lounging" to "let's do this!"

Bonus tip: If needed, add a touch of perfume or a swipe of lip balm because it's ultimately about showing up for yourself.

3. Time-block your day (with plenty of white space)

In the initial years, Iused to make never-ending to-do lists, and that overwhelmed me. But once you get bit by the simplicity bug, you discover (and understand deeply) the magic of time-blocking because that changes everything.

What I usually do is divide my day into chunks: email replies (9:30-10 AM), deep work (10-12), lunch + break (12-1), admin tasks (1-2), and so on. I also add buffer time for unexpected things (because life happens).

Why it works: You stop multitasking and start focusing, which actually helps you finish work faster and better.

4. Design a "boredom station" instead of taking random breaks

The temptation to scroll your phone is always there, but instead of trying to fight it, play it smart. What you need to do is beat boredom strategically with activities that will not only make you feel better but also help you be more energetic and improve your productivity. You can create your "boredom station" with mini activities like:

• Doodle pad + markers
• Jigsaw puzzle
• Lego blocks
• Small craft project
• A book of micro poems

Whenever I hit a slump, I would reconnect with my boredom station and be there for 10-20 minutes to feel better. It would reset my brain without dragging me into the doom-scroll vortex.

Why it works: You rest without overstimulating your brain, so you are able to come back focused, not frazzled.

5. Create a fake deadline buddy

Here's the game: I tell a friend or co-worker, "I'm going to send you this draft/idea/pitch by 3 PM - hold me to it." And just like that, I have created urgency. The only thing to factor in is that you have to be completely honest and stick to the deadline.

Alternative: Use apps like Focusmate or Boss as a Service if you don't have a real-life accountability partner.

Wrapping Up

Productivity doesn't have to look boring or rigid because to keep your vibe intact when working from home, it doesn't need to be serious. Sometimes, the most effective systems are the ones that feel fun, weird, or a little bit "out there", because they actually work for your real life.

These simple but innovative tips are an interesting way to keep yourself engaged in a productive way because they focus on you, and that helps build focus and productivity.

Try one of these unconventional ideas this week and see how it goes. And remember, it's not about being perfect every day, but rather about finding creative ways to stay in flow.

Download our Little E-book on Professional Minimalism for more such tips.

This blog was written by Ayesha Mollah, a professional blogger who has embraced minimalism since 2023. Being on the minimalism journey is helping her find her "focus" amidst the chaos.