Hello World! Welcome Friends! Just the other day, the idea of dodging traffic, burnt coffee, and uncomfortable office chairs would have seemed like a daydream. However, in 2020 working remotely is the new normal and impressively so, considering the need for keeping a safe social distance. Well, that only lasts until your furry friends throw up on your computer. And your next-door neighbor starts firing up all sorts of noisy tools.
Home vs. Office Working Environments
For many professionals in this modern era, working remotely is a once in a blue moon luxury afforded by companies. But the question remains, which work environment is more productive; home or office? In most cases, a real-life office setting often comes with a distraction from colleagues. They will drop by your desk for chitchat while you’re busy working. On the flip side, the social benefits of a crowded workplace can be healthy.
A home office is the best setting to relax after work, or even work in your pajamas. The real challenge is remaining diligent when you are not surrounded by coworkers. When working in a home office, no one is supervising your work. You are not subjected to the same communal obligation to get the job done.
On the other hand, working remotely allows you to create the space you need to get the job done at your own pace. You have control over every aspect of your surroundings, unlike a work office where you are confined to your desk or department.
With that in mind, this post looks at tried and tested steps you can take to design and improve your home into the most effective office. These tips will help you create the perfect, concentration-enhancing workspace in your home.
Eliminate All Possible Noise
One of the most important steps in establishing an effective home office is finding the quietest place. While some people may find background noise okay while working, most people find it to be a distraction.
According to researchers, a busy room makes the worst workplace. Your home office should be as far from the television as possible. You need a quiet environment to work in peace and away from potential distractions.
If you fall among the vast percentage that gets distracted by noise, make sure your home office does not coincide with any play space. Also, remember to pick a room with a door.
Declutter Your Space
Well, this applies to any work station. Wasting your time wading through a bunch of extra papers and pens will delay your progress. It will also make it hard to keep or retrieve essential documents.
Starting with your desk, create some folders on the side to house your projects. Keep all documents you do not need away from the desk and use sticky notes on your desk to label where they are, in case you may need to retrieve them. Sticky notes can be handy tools to help you eliminate those unwanted piles of paper, extra books, and other stationery that will interfere with your productivity.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should completely empty your desk. After all, what is the point of throwing away a pen that you will need in an hour? Give yourself space that allows you to work, but remember to keep the basics close. Throw out all of those pens that have run out, and find one or two decent pens that will last. You can search “pens Australia” or a similar phrase to find some great pens online, limit yourself to one pad of paper and maybe one sharp pencil, and you should be all set.
Decluttering your space involves more than cleaning your home office. You will improve your concentration if the entire house looks straightened up. Even though you cannot see the bedroom from your home office area, you will work better when the whole place is free from piles of mail.
In other words, as you may want to ignore a messy living room by shutting the door, that may not be enough to convince your mind. Instead, you may want to consider upgrading your entire space. For instance, you can increase natural lighting through a renewal by Andersen window replacement.
Add Some Green to Your Space
While setting up a home office in the garden may be a good idea, you can still give it a feel of nature by adding some outdoor aspects to the room. Floor or desk paints may be the only thing missing to add some breath of fresh air into your workplace. Using a variety of colors to give your eyes a break from the screen can be a great way of enhancing your home office.
Try something else by bringing in a potted plant into the office. Alternatively, you can set up your home office desk facing a glass window that allows you to get a glimpse of the outside environment once in a while.
Choose the Right Scent
A good scent can be a game-changer for many people. Before adding your favorite scent to the workplace, consider specific essential oils, which have been proven to enhance concentration. For instance, peppermint is an energy booster, while rosemary improves concentration and can help you complete tasks much faster. You may also want to consider adding sweet orange, which helps relieve anxiety.
Narrow Your To-Do List
Sit down and create a detailed checklist every morning before you start tackling the day’s tasks. Spare a few more minutes to narrow down the list by noting down all jobs you expect to get done in the next few hours.
If your checklist is congested, the chances are that you will not get anything done by the end of the day. This trick will help you remember your plans and handle each at a time. Breaking down your goals in a realistic manner will also make it easier for you to complete them in time.
Give Yourself Meaningful Breaks
You often say “a break is as good as a rest,” but while short breaks may seem unnecessary, you will be surprised by how much difference they can make. Sometimes you get carried away with the work that you do not remember taking a break. Well, you need to reduce eye strain frequently. You can use the 20-20-20 rule to help yourself relax a bit. After every twenty minutes, stop concentrating on your screen or book. Stare at something 20 yards away for twenty seconds, then get back to work.
When it is time for a break, most people get themselves hooked to their phones. However, for an efficient and productive home office, you need to switch off your mind a bit to recharge your batteries. When you find yourself straining to work, take a break and stroll in the house before getting back to work.
Dress Up
Working from home gives you the freedom to do what you want, and most people find themselves wandering in their home office in their pajamas. And some think about showering in the next break. What if you receive an official video call? Can you handle the panic?
To avoid such scenarios, you need to be disciplined enough to force yourself to get up early and get ready to work just like you would do on a regular workday. A home office should come with the least distraction, and it all starts when you dress the part, ready for the day.
Bottom Line
A home office has all the comfort that a communal work office may not offer. But a home office also has its share of problems. With poor management, you can easily get distracted and become less productive. To avoid this, you need to first set up your space to give yourself a work environment that will not slow your progress. You can do this by choosing the ideal location for your office, decorating your home office, and decluttering your space.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
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Toodles,
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