Working from home on a MacBook should not be a problem so long as you have some necessary things in addition to your computer. However, some people struggle to find motivation working remotely because they associate home with a place of leisure rather than their job. Add the fact that there are multiple distractions in one’s way, and finishing work before the deadline could prove to be quite difficult.
If you feel like working at home has not been going that well, change your approach and make the most out of what you have available. Here are some neat tips to help you with that.
Take Advantage of the Sidecar Feature
macOS introduced the sidecar feature in the Catalina version. Now, Mac users can create a secondary display by connecting an iPad to one’s MacBook.
Despite its many advantages, MacBooks are pretty lackluster when it comes to their screen size. For example, if you work as a graphic designer, you may struggle to use the laptop’s screen for both the software you use for work and another tab you may have as a reference.
An iPad could also serve as a display to free up some app shortcuts from the MacBook’s desktop. You can access Slack, Discord, and other commonly used applications from an iPad rather than your Mac’s desktop.
Get Rid of Various Distractions
There are quite a few distractions that likely get in the way of your work productivity. Instead of working, you may be tempted to browse social media on your smartphone. A random notification is quite distracting as well since we are programmed to check our smartphones as soon as we hear a sound coming from them.
Living with other people can be difficult as well. Setting boundaries is not always a solution because you cannot predict when another person may need something.
Now, when it comes to your MacBook, random notifications should be one of the first things you want to get rid of. Enable the Do Not Disturb mode in the Notification Center to stop random notifications bombarding you.
In case you keep video game shortcuts or other entertainment apps on the MacBook’s desktop, remove those as well. You will be less tempted to procrastinate and can focus on your work instead.
Use Apps to Track Time
Tracking work time is quite important for overall productivity. You do not wish to spend more on certain tasks than you should, which can be harder than one might think due to lack of supervision.
Besides, using time-tracking tools also sends you reminders about when you need to take a break. When you work from home, it is easy to forget about having a proper lunch break. Taking regular breaks is another thing you are less likely to miss by receiving reminders from a time-tracking application.
Listen to Music
For some, listening to music is the best way to find the motivation to get through work. When you have a noise in the background, the day goes by faster. And since you own a MacBook, you can use Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or another service to listen to some of your favorite songs.
Getting AirPods is a worthy investment as well. A pair of wireless earplugs is more convenient than headphones that require wires. Not being restricted is a big advantage.
Of course, you need to make sure that listening to music does not get in the way of your work. Otherwise, the desire to listen to some tunes will backfire instead of doing anything good.
Keep the MacBook in Good Condition
While Macs are reliable and run into performance issues rarely, you should still pay attention to the overall computer performance. Dealing with random crashes or freezes will spell trouble for work productivity.
Some of the most important things to emphasize include:
- Using Activity Monitor to keep tabs on redundant background applications and to check ram usage
- Having enough free space on the MacBooks drive by removing redundant junk or transferring some files to external storage
- Making sure that the computer is malware-free
- Decluttering the desktop
- Adding new hardware if the model is compatible with upgrades
- Cleaning the dust inside
- Investing in a cooling pad and other valuable accessories
Move to a Different Location
Using a MacBook for work means not dealing with restrictions as far as your work location goes. If you feel like stepping away from your usual desk and sitting on a couch for an hour or two, go for it. A different location will be a niche change of pace and should help you find more motivation to finish work on time.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, the tips mentioned in this article ought to help you find a better approach and get more out of your MacBook while working remotely. And keep in mind that these things take time to get used to. If you notice that the changes are not as effective as you thought they would be, give them some more time.