These days, people operate their business at home. Thanks to the latest technological advancements, you can now have a meeting with your team even if you are from different parts of the world. And you can send them documents for review in real-time.
Working from home can be a challenge because of different distractions in the home environment. But there are many benefits such as eliminating travel time, reduced spending on gas, meals, and clothing, and being comfortable working in your pajamas without overthinking what to wear the next day.
Working inside the house can increase productivity. A study conducted by a job-hunting site, Workpolis discovered that 90% of people believe that working remotely makes them more focused and productive and has helped them to achieve work-life balance.
There can be challenges in working from home too. You need to do the laundry. Your children keep interrupting you and asking you to make them a snack, your husband wants you to run some errands and the noise of a barking dog keeps bugging you half of the day.
So how can you make your home office as your work sanctuary?
7 Tips To Be More Productive In Your Home Office
Here are the seven super helpful tips:
1. Design your home office to be productive
In setting up your home office in your real estate property, it is important to have a workspace that is conducive for thinking and working. Stay out of areas in your home with heavy foot traffic such as near the kitchen, living room, or near the staircase and find somewhere that is separated from all of that. Make sure your office has a window. Put some plants to have something relaxing to look at. Make an ample space where you can have your work done with ease.
2. Take short breaks
You’re going to need at least a 15 minute to 1-hour break every once in a while. You can read a good book, or play on your phone. Go out in the garden, enjoy the smell of the crisp grass, play with your kids. These can be seen as distractions, but you can keep them in handy when you need to take a brain-break.
3. Follow an ergonomic design
In setting up your home office, you should follow ergonomic rules. Your personal computer should be set up at an eye-level or a little below so when you read down the screen, your eyelids will moisten and it could help reduce eye fatigue. Make sure your office chair lets your feet rest firmly on the floor or get a footrest if you’re short.
4. Go for natural lighting
When putting up your home workspace, most people will tell you to get a nice lighting fixture that could boost the design of your workspace. While this may be true, it is best to embrace natural lighting. Keep your desk close to the window but parallel to its pane. Natural lighting can give you happiness and a few minutes to take a breather and lets your eyes rest from the strain brought by the computer. You can refer to a beautiful condominium or home tips on how to improve natural lighting in your property.
5. Hide things that can be an additional distraction
Your modern home office may have a lot of gadgets and fixtures inside. With all those things, you may see lots of cords that can also be a cause for minor accidents in the office. Or your office printer is placed on a table that can be distracting for you to look at. Get those cords out of your sight by running a power strip and plug everything into it. Hide the printer in a closet and put it near a power source so you can still use it and close the cabinet once you’re done printing.
6. Overstock your office supplies
If you’re too lazy to go out of the house and have a quick supply run, the best solution is to store office supplies in your home office. Running to the bookstore to get some pens, stamps or paper can interrupt your working hours. Consider having a small cabinet and store all your office essentials in there.
7. Declutter
Looking through extra papers and pens can delay your workflow. While sticky notes are a great way to help you be reminded of the tasks you need to do, it can hinder your concentration. Clear your desk of clutter and allow yourself to work peacefully while having a space to think.
These tips can help you build great habits while working from home. By applying these tips, you can get more work done and be more efficient in delivering your tasks.
