Is working from the office killing our productivity?

Getting out of bed, making coffee, and opening the computer sounds like a recipe for laziness. And yet, more and more people are discovering that the days they work from home are actually the days they manage to get into a rhythm, focus, and check off their tasks. So why might we be more productive at home?

For many employees, the workday begins long before opening the computer. You need to get ready, leave the house, and get to the office. Sometimes it involves a commute of an hour each way. By the time you arrive, time and energy have already been spent that are not related to work.

The day starts without wasting unnecessary energy

Working from home saves much more than just the commute to the office. It changes the way we start the day. Instead of rushing, commuting, and arriving tired, you can start working in a familiar and calm environment. The time saved allows you to approach tasks with more energy.

There are also fewer interruptions during the day. In the office, a short conversation or a question from a colleague can stop a task. At home, it is easier to create a quiet work environment that allows you to stay focused on a task for a long time.

The advantage is not limited to silence. Working from home also allows for greater flexibility during the day. You can plan tasks according to your personal concentration hours. For some people, this flexibility allows them to work more efficiently.

When time works for us

When we manage to focus on a task without interruptions, it is easier to enter a state of "flow." This is a state where we are immersed in work and progressing without distractions. Therefore, an hour of focused work can be more effective than several hours filled with breaks.

Studies on the subject present a complex picture. Some have found that working from home can improve productivity, but others have not found a clear advantage. The reason may be simple: someone who works alone and needs concentration can benefit from home, but someone who works a lot with people and meetings may feel differently. Working conditions at home and the freedom to set working hours can also have an impact.

Therefore, productivity is not measured only by the number of hours in front of the computer. The important question is how much real work we managed to accomplish during that time. When there are fewer interruptions and more control, sometimes you can get more done without working more.