One of the best things about working from home is that you get to make your workspace your own. No more dank cubicle or foot traffic that eats into your day, you can choose where you work and how you work. So, what goes into a good workspace? Here are a few good tips:
Work With What You Have
Many people don’t have a dedicated room they can turn into a home office. Don’t worry, you probably have what you need to create a dedicated workspace that will give you everything you need. If you have a desk you can work from great, but if not, your kitchen table will work just fine, or even a spare card table you can set up in an empty corner. Chances are, everything else you’ll need you have around the house, whether it’s pens, paper, or desk lamp you can use for lighting.
Bring On the Natural Light
There is a reason why corner offices are viewed as the prime real estate of the office: it’s not just the scenery, it’s the abundance of natural light. Working in an office often requires going outside for your daily dose of vitamin D, but working from home gives you an opportunity to work in the sunlight. If possible, pick a location where you’ll get as much natural lighting as possible. One big bonus of working from home is that you can move around as needed, so feel free to chase the sunbeams as the day progresses.
Prioritize Comfort
As someone who has ever been stuck with a bad office chair can tell you, having a comfortable chair while you work can make a big difference. Unlike at work, you now have a choice of the type of chair you can use during your workday. Consider back support and the type of padding you will be sitting on. If you find that your chairs lack what you need, consider ordering a memory foam chair pad, or a back support cushion. In the meantime, feel free to set up a TV tray, or other type of small table, next to your couch and spend some time working there.
Consider What You’ll Need Throughout the Day
Do you have a job that involves a lot of faxing? Or one where you will need access to a printer or special device that has a fixed location? Consider where your job is going to take you as you set up a workspace. For example, if you decide to work downstairs but will need to climb a set of stairs every time you need to scan a document, is that something you are ok with? Yes, walking up stairs is good exercise throughout the day, but if you feel that will be an issue, set up your workstation near what you’ll need.
Wi-Fi and Phone Connections
There is nothing more annoying than slow Wi-Fi. If you are going to be working off a laptop or other mobile device, choose a location in your home that gives you the best possible Wi-Fi speeds. You may need to change the location of your router for this. If your job involves spending time on your phone, be sure you are set up somewhere where you have a clear connection so your calls don’t drop. Oh, and streaming video can seriously slow down your internet speeds, so leave the bingeing for after you get off of work.
With a little effort and creativity, you can make working from home work for you. The goal is to remain productive and happy, even in challenges circumstances. So, take an extra moment to be feel comfortable and inspired in your new work environment, even if it happens to be just steps from your bed!
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