Being able to successfully work from home takes more than just a spot at the kitchen table and a laptop (though this arrangement is oftentimes the one we find ourselves starting out with). Instead, it takes the right technology, the right space, and the ability to turn your office at home into your perfect home office.
As someone who has been working remotely since before it was cool, I’ve tried every variety of home office setup. From the aforementioned kitchen table (it was OK, but very hard to stay focused), to setting up a corner in the basement, to turning a spare bedroom into my office, I’ve seen it all.
Invest in the right tools and equipment
From a 2nd monitor to an ergonomically designed chair, having the right ‘stuff’ can really bring your entire office experience together. Many companies are even offering stipends for those working from home, so be sure to ask before you spend your own hard earned cash on a desk or a giant box of pens.
The right decor can also go a long way. It may sound minor, but imagine the impact of having art you like, versus a dark or drab space that you don’t want to spend time in. You guessed it – having an office that brightens your day is one that will surely keep you engaged all work day long. A few houseplants or succulents can go a long way here too.
Also — don’t skimp on the lighting. Especially as we are coming into winter. This will not only make seeing and working that much easier, it’ll also ensure that you always look amazing when you’re on your 5th video call of the day. And while we’re on the topic of video calls, do be sure to have your computer’s camera at eye level or higher so that people don’t find themselves staring up your nostrils 😉
And of course, the right digital workspace makes all the difference too. Choosing the best tools for remote work can be tricky, but fear not! Once you’ve found the perfect set up for your remote career, you’ll can be sure that you’ll be your most productive self.
Create a dedicated space
No, it doesn’t have to be its own room. But it also can’t be your bed. Why? Because whether we like it or not, our brains need us to have differentiation between our spaces for work and for recovery. When we spend all of our time in our bed, these lines get deeply blurred. Go for it once or twice, but you really don’t want to make a habit of it.
A dedicated space, aside from getting you in the mindset, is also a great way to help your family understand that you’re ‘at work’ and as unavailable as you would be, were you working in a traditional office arrangement.
Check out the setup we have at my house now:
As you can see, we took a space we already have and reworked it into an office for my oldest child, who also works remotely and is currently living with us. I like this arrangement because it’s taking advantage of a space that was previously empty, but still gives her a bit of privacy and some distinction between ‘office’ and ‘home’. And it never hurts to have a furry friend standing in as a coworker. 😉
Be extra organized
It can be hard to stay focused when you’re working at home and there’s laundry to be done, dogs to be played with, and extra members of your family in close range. One strategy that can be super effective to keep yourself moving forward and getting things done is to batch your time. This means spending a few hours – distraction free – working on the most important tasks of the day that will really help you to move the needle forward in your work.
I also find it helpful to have a whiteboard outlining my top priorities and a desk (or wall) calendar that helps you to get a proper bird’s eye view of what’s to come – like important deadlines or meetings you can’t miss.
Finding yourself struggling to stay focused? Try a system like a pomodoro timer that helps you to stay on track for shorter increments, with specified times for breaks. This can also empower you to push distractions to the side…. For a little while at least. 😉
If you can, upgrade your internet. If you can’t, set a household routine.
Your sanity will thank you. This is particularly true if you’ve got a spouse or the kids at home and online at the same time.
Can’t upgrade your connection? A WiFi extender can help in some cases if you’re just too far from your router in your newly-established workspace. It can also be helpful to try to establish a household routine; particularly if you know you’ve got standing meetings that will require full bandwidth. This can alternatively mean that if you’ve got some flexibility in your working hours, shifting them to earlier in the mornings or later in the evenings – once there’s less ‘competition’ for connectivity.
Next steps
No matter where you’re working from, having an office space that puts you in the right frame of mind, while also empowering you for success, has never been more essential. And if you think it’s going to be a long term shift, it may be even worth considering making that move you’ve been considering. After all, if you don’t need to commute, maybe that bigger space, a little further out in the ‘country’ is just the refresh you need. And don’t worry, we do have fast internet out here too.
Thinking about relocating your life, and your home office? Let’s talk! I’m licensed in DC, MD, VA, and WV; and I know many great spots for a high speed connection (and enough space for everyone to work at home). Contact me today to talk about your options for remote work and beyond: sian@sianpugh.com or 703 966 1075.
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