Working from home can pose a challenge to a lot of people due to the increased number of distractions and obstacles that can take place. While it is entirely possible to be productive and successful when you are working out of your own home, you will have to put some care into setting up your home office.
There are fewer resources and less privacy to get your job done when you aren’t in a professional office. Because of this you need to create a space for yourself where you can do your work well. Here are a few ideas to get you started in making the best home office possible. Keep in mind that you should structure your office around your preferences and needs to make it the best possible work environment.
Connectivity
When you are working remotely you absolutely need to be connected to the Internet and be able to communicate with your coworkers and management team. Thankfully, it is easier than ever to stay in touch over the phone or through emails and video chat options. Keeping these channels open will let you reach out for help when needed and have access to all the resources you need to get the job done. Sometimes you just need to run an idea by someone else or get an opinion on a tough problem.
While the basic necessities of a computer and printer are a given for your office, you should put some thought into other areas that you can be helpful. When you work from home, you can’t rely on the office to provide a backup power source so consider an automatic transfer switch that can seamlessly connect you to a chosen backup in the event of a power outage. This can save you a lot of frustration by keeping you connected and preventing you from losing anything that you were working on.
Comfort
You’ll be spending quite a few hours each day in your home office, so it’s to your advantage that you make it as comfortable as possible. Use a designated area in your home and have a stable work surface where you can spread out all the materials that you need. Get yourself a comfortable chair that provides support to avoid back pain and poor posture.
Make sure that your area is well lit either through natural light by positioning yourself near a window, or by putting plenty of lamps or overhead lighting in your designated room. Other ways that you can improve the comfort of your home office is by adding personal touches such as plants. These are visually appealing and can also help you remain focused by improving the air quality and getting more oxygen into the space.
No Distractions
It is absolutely vital that you designate a space within your home that is set aside for work only. This way you can eliminate distractions and noise and focus on your work. If at all possible, choose a separate room where you can close the door and not be interrupted by pets or family members. If this is not an option for you, then you can block out some distracting noise by wearing noise cancelling headphones and scheduling your day around high traffic times. Take your breaks when others in your household would be most active and making a lot of noise.
Declutter
Having a mess in your office or your home can be another distraction and can have a negative impact on your work. Keep your work surface and desk clutter-free so you can stay organized and be able to quickly find any materials that you need.
Keep a Schedule
It is to be expected that you may have to deal with the occasional interruption or unscheduled task that arises during your day. However, you should create a schedule for yourself so that everyone in your household is familiar with your working hours and your coworkers and supervisors know at what times you are available for contact and meetings.
A schedule will also help you get into the mindset to do work when you begin and end your work at the same time each day. Remember to take your breaks even though you are in your own home. It’s so important for you to walk away from your work once in a while so you can go back to it with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of purpose.
Another advantage of a schedule is that it will help you to list your daily tasks and prioritize them in a way that you can get to the most urgent jobs first.
Working from the comfort of your own home can be a huge benefit and advantage in many ways. You just need to take a little extra time at the beginning to set yourself up with a space that will allow you to do your work well and help you to focus and stay on task.
