WORK FROM HOME: HOW TO SET UP YOUR WORKSPACE
The layout and design of your workspace significantly impact your productivity and efficiency, but how do you create a great workspace while working from home? Following the global COVID-19 outbreak, many offices got shut down temporarily, and most of the employees have started working from home.
But this isn’t the only reason why the number of people working from home is on a constant rise. The house serves as an office for many people across the globe. It has increased the growth in the gig economy and increased flexibility in company policies, and to some extent, work productivity has improved a bit.
Although working from home has its benefits, keeping a work-life balance can be difficult because both the home and workplace feel the same when your home and office mean the same thing. Moreover, very few people take the time to plan their workspaces at home to ensure optimal performance.
If you wish to set up a home office and search for ideas, here are our top tips to help you out:
- CHOOSE THE RIGHT SPACE
If you have a separate room that you can use as an office space, it is an ideal option as you will be able to close the door and focus on your work without any interruption from family, kids, or pets. If you don’t have a spare room, you will need to pick a quiet corner in the house with minimum distractions. For many, the dining room is an accessible space to set up your office as it gets used occasionally.
- HAVE YOUR WORK SUPPLIES READY
To ensure that you can work efficiently, you need to have all your work supplies and tools. For starters, a fast and reliable wifi connection is a must. Make sure to check if your Wifi can withstand the additional load because video calls and zoom meetings can use up your data quickly. You may have to upgrade your package if you don’t want to deal with poor connectivity and dropped calls. You will also need a pair of comfortable headphones; whether you are using them for official work or blocking out noise, they will come in handy.
Additionally, if you live in a region where power outages are regular, you should consider investing in a generator. When it comes to working, even an hour without electricity can be a significant inconvenience, so investing in a generator can be a smart move. If you live in Australia, you can check out a range of affordable home generators here: https://www.ablesales.com.au/diesel-generators-sydney.html.
- DESIGN YOUR WORKSPACE
There are three things you need for your workspace, i.e., sufficient lighting, comfortable furniture, and office equipment. Most of these things are easy to arrange. A beautiful chair and desk are essential as they will allow you to sit comfortably throughout your workday without feeling tired. You should also add any additional office elements that you use, such as a calendar, stationery, pen holder, and files for all those papers. To ensure a well-lit working area, you can place your desk near a window or invest in a beautiful lamp. For your office equipment, it is best to use an actual monitor, mouse, and keyboard instead of a laptop so that you don’t have the urge to work from the couch or the bed.
- HAVE A WORK SCHEDULE
Working from home doesn’t mean you don’t have to stick to a work schedule; it is even more vital as it allows you to maintain a work-life balance. Decide on your work timings and make sure to stick to it. It also helps inform your family members so that they will know when you will be unavailable for anything else around the house. Make sure even to schedule breaks so that your mind has to time off to relax. For instance, it is essential to have a lunch break instead of eating at your desk.
- DRESS LIKE YOU MEAN BUSINESS
What we wear affects our mental state. If you are always working in your PJs, you are bound to feel unproductive and lazy. Dress like you would if you were going to a regular office, and you are likely to feel so much more enthusiastic about starting your workday!
TAKEAWAY
It is sometimes easy to lose motivation and feel unproductive when working from home. You don’t have the same environment and level of interaction with your colleagues that you get in an office. It can almost feel like you are working in a vacuum. But having a great little workstation set up for yourself is an excellent way to boost your productivity and feel positive. Try it out for yourself, and you will be amazed at the difference it makes.
