In the past couple of years, many workers have received an impromptu crash course in working from home. And the trend of turning nooks of your space into productive work zones doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. And frankly, not many of us want the WFH lifestyle to change.
But whether you’re continuing to work from home due to company policy or choice, it’s important to evaluate your home workspace to ensure it’s organised and encourages productivity. And no, that probably doesn’t look like sitting on your couch for eight hours a day while streaming everything on Netflix.
If you need help brainstorming the best office essentials, just think of the items you used to turn to every day at the office. Think: the right work surface, a comfortable chair, an ergonomic computer mouse, and even some cool decor items to style out your office space. Photobook is here to help!
Create a Dedicated Workspace
A dedicated workspace looks different for everyone depending on the size and layout of your space- but, a good place to start is with an at-home desk. Whether you want to go for a more streamlined standing setup, a wall-mounted system, an in-bed/on-couch lap desk, or a classic standalone model, finding the proper pedestal for your work will enhance your abilities to complete it.
Organise Your Desk Essentials
Now that you’ve got your workspace carved out, it’s time to streamline the essentials- from paper foods to larger tech items, invest in organisational systems that elevate your WFH setup by keeping clutter at bay for a more unencumbered workflow.
Support Your Body
Finding the right body support for your WFH setup is key- and whether you invest in the entire chair, add a seat cushion, or go the foot-riser route, make sure it’s a product with ergonomic benefits. Aka one that provides your entire body with proper alignment and pressure relief for prolonged periods of sitting.
Set Firm Work Hours & Wellness Reminders
While we rely heavily on our smartphones and computers for keeping track of time, reverting back to a dedicated timekeeper can help tighten productivity and remind us to take breaks. Try using everything from a journal that holds you accountable to a time-management clock that carves out and alerts you on anywhere from five to 60-minute work periods- so you can get up and stretch your legs before getting back to it.
Keep Track of Priorities
Again, keeping virtual to-do lists may have worked for our previously more in-transit schedules- but in a stuck-at-home setting, sometimes getting back to our hand-written roots is most impactful. Try keeping either a physical productivity planner (that you can also use for mindfulness journaling) or a strategically prompted to-do pad that will help you keep your workflow (and your mind) clean, clear, and ready for action.
Enhance Your Atmosphere
Successfully working from home doesn’t just hinge upon balancing your employment priorities, it’s even more important to maintain a self-balance too. Adding certain atmosphere-enhancing goods to your space can help elevate your mood for a healthier and more productive daily workflow.
Don’t Allow Roomies
Being efficient while working from home is all about boundaries. This also means setting boundaries for kids, pets, family members, or roommates. Try to encourage them to leave you alone while you are working so you can stay focused. Try to keep boundaries friendly and playful, but make sure you stick to them. One fun idea is to make a sign for the door of your office that indicates whether you’re working or not. You can even have your children help you make the sign so they feel they’re not being left out.
Tune in to Inspiration
A great advantage of working from home is that you can’t distract your coworkers. Go ahead and play those pumped-up jams loud and proud if that’s what gets you moving. Or try a more soothing soundtrack with nature sounds, instrumental music, or even by leaving the windows open to let the sounds from outside come in.
If you’re doing repetitive tasks, an audiobook or podcast may even be what you need to keep moving. However, some people work better in silence. If you’re one of those people, resist the urge to put on music or have the TV on in the background.
Stay in the Loop
One of the best things about working in an office is the potential for collaboration and socialisation. You don’t have to lose this just because you are working from home. When you are learning how to work from home, try to check in with your coworkers at least a couple of times per week, whether by email, phone, video call, social media or even in person.
Shifting your work environment to your home is challenging, but with a few simple changes to your routine and space, you’ll find you can still have a productive workday.
Find what works for you and your family by trying out some of the working from home tips above.