Working at home can be pretty difficult. There are constant distractions, especially if there are other people in or you’re unable to have your own private space. These are my best tips for clearing your mind, finding your zone, and getting prepared for a good few hours of productivity.

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Get ready for the day

As much as I’d like to sit in bed all day and code, write, and schedule in my pants, I know it’s not best for a sharp working mind. You need that barrier between working and browsing, so always so your leisure stuff and work stuff in separate places – different rooms if you can. I like to have a shower and get dressed (even if it’s just casual, comfy wear) before I settle down to work so I’m awake and ready to begin the day.

Set an allocated time for browsing

Social networks and email create a continuing cycle of replies which can really take time out of your day. If you can’t resist checking Facebook constantly, set some short designated breaks where you’ll check your social sites and emails. Don’t have them open all day. You can gradually wean yourself off them, and only have notifications for programs and people that you always need to hear from immediately. Do the same for your phone, diverting calls so you don’t get distracted by social calls or minor, unimportant requests.

Switch tasks to keep sharp

If you find yourself flagging, particularly mid-afternoon, change to a different task or work on a few things at once to keep your mind busy. Try to do tasks you don’t like earlier in your working day to get them out of the way and avoid wasting hours procrastinating.

Work in short bursts

Half an hour of non-stop productivity is better than three hours of browsing the web whilst periodically working on a design or bit of code. Set an alarm or timer and see how much you can get done before it goes off, or tell yourself you won’t be distracted from your task until the buzzer sounds. Known as the Pomodoro technique, this is a great way to keep you focused on a single task and is ideal for people who find themselves interrupting themselves to start work on something new halfway through their current job.

Settle your mind

If you have any outstanding chores or tasks, get them done before sitting down to work so you don’t feel distracted or wander off to do them mid-morning. A lot of people find the right music motivational, so get some playlists set up to match your mood. Classical music in particular is proven to get your mind in a good space for concentration, and the added bonus is that you don’t get distracted by lyrics if you’re writing or thinking.

What are your tips for clearing your mind before work?