There are good reasons for people to consider working from home or continuing their business from there such as lower overhead costs, no more daily commutes, and allowing you to have more flexibility.
Remote work is nothing new, even before the Coronavirus pandemic people have already started to choose to work from home since a lot of businesses can be done from any location with a computer or a smartphone and does not have to be done within the four corners of an office.
However, as revolutionary as it may seem, it comes with many factors to disrupt the traditional and standard workplace norms many people have not acclimated to, just yet.
With the trend of more businesses going online, it won’t be long before people embrace his work model and here are some smart ideas to help turn your home office into a valuable asset.
Nailing the right spot
You must find your own private space in your home where you can work unhampered and not distracted, with all the essentials such as a desk, chair, and a desktop computer or laptop.
Taking out any unnecessary appliance or electronic gadget can be a wise move, especially when it can cause distractions such as a TV set, gym weights, or a game console so you can focus on work and be productive.
Your workspace is basically intended for work so do not let it double as a recreational room, library, or entertainment room. It would also be wise to close and lock the doors are the end of your regular workday to separate your work and living areas.
Have your work or business phone aside from your mobile device. Use your work phone as your primary contact for business when contacting clients or when exchanging professional credentials. Don’t be tempted to give out your personal number which should only be set aside for family members and private personal matters.
Avoid going through your emails during time off, holidays, or weekends lest it throws off your work-life balance.
Plan and organise your workspace
While doing as you please with your workspace can be tempting, avoid doing so as it can cause you to get too comfortable in getting things done.
Organise your workspace properly by filing documents, minimizing desk clutter and limit your desk only with items that are necessary for work and none of your personal or recreational effects or things that can keep you away from work.
When possible, provide enough space in your work area to allow you to walk around when taking a quick break instead of sitting down the whole day, which can be unhealthy.
Add in some creature comforts into your home office to allow you some semblance of freedom and a quick break from a busy work schedule. Do take note, however, to avoid putting too much emphasis on comfort than what is appropriate so you can maintain the proper balance between work, time-off, and breaks.
Adequate lighting
Your home office needs to be properly lighted, especially when you have limited options such as windows or open sections when finding space for your home office. Take advantage of natural lighting by placing your desk beside or behind a window or under a good light source.
You can get added benefits from natural lighting which are proven by studies to improve productivity, mood, and comfort.
Add colour
Colour tones or hues can affect work environments and can affect your work and productivity, as well. White and grey hues are popular favourites. For instance, a white-painted room exudes a clean vibe, while certain artistic designs and patterns have also been found to boost mood and productivity.
Just avoid using strong designs or artwork that can cause distractions and make you lose focus on work.
The remote work model may be new to some, but most have already adapted to this new work concept, so you might as well do what you can to make your workspace as ideal as it can be and turn it into your valuable business asset.