If you’ve been working remotely from home, you know it can be a challenge. There are distractions, family members or roommates sharing the space and a refrigerator constantly calling your name.
But given many of us will continue to work from home in the name of social distancing, even as some businesses reopen in the upcoming weeks, let’s look at ways we can optimize our home office. Whether it’s a spare room, a dedicated corner of the living room or a place at the dining table, these tips can help you stay focused, productive and calm.
Define the space
If you don’t have a dedicated room for an office, it’s a good idea to delineate your work area to separate it from the rest of your home. Self-standing room dividers such as folding shoji screens can create an official “office zone,” so that when you cross that threshold, you’re in work mode. If all you have is a seat in front of a coffee table, make that an official work space by setting a placemat on it. When the placemat is on the table, that’s a signal that you’re “at work.”
Set boundaries
Even if you’re physically in the same space as members of your household, try to get them to act as if you are on the other side of town. This can be a challenge when there are children involved, but get them used to the idea that you require dedicated time at your workstation. You can even create a sign that says “I’m at work” so they know you can’t be bothered.
Wear headphones
One way to block out distractions is to wear noise-cancelling headphones. And even if your headphones aren’t tuned to anything, you can still pretend you can’t hear any household member who tries to bother you. For those joining meetings on Zoom, a headset is a great way to avoid disturbing everyone else with the teleconference.
Don’t face the wall
If you have the luxury of actually working at a desk, the tendency is to push it against a wall to maximize space. But that means you’re staring at a wall all day, which can lead to your feeling even more confined and claustrophobic in your home.
Turn the desk outward to face the room, or at least perpendicular to the wall. You’ll feel much better.
Welcome some nature
When we spend so much time indoors, we need visual cues of the outdoors more than ever. If you can, orient your workspace so a window is within your eye line. Bring the outdoors in with some houseplants. Even a little succulent plant next to your coffee cup will do wonders for your psyche.
Incorporate workplace reminders
You know how you display photos of family members at the office? In your home office, consider having photos of your friends from work. Admit it, you miss everyone. If you have a mug with your company logo, use that for drinks or a pencil holder. Notepads, pens and other office supplies with your company logo can actually be very comforting right now.
Move around
Wipe out those mental cobwebs by switching up your home workspace. If you work primarily from a desk, spend a little time with your laptop on the sofa. Invest in some faster Wi-Fi or some Ethernet cables so you can move around more easily while staying connected. And hopefully soon, the ultimate move will be the one back to the office.
