WORKING REMOTELY? TIPS FOR YOUR SUCCESS
For many companies, opening their offices for those who might want to come in is still problematic. However, working from home has proven to be very successful for many firms. They most likely will continue this practice until it is safe to work at the office.
As a professional interior designer in Bergen County, NJ, I know that some people who work from home are encountering challenges. There is always room for improvement. Here are some suggestions for maximum output and minimum madness!
#1. WHAT CAN I DO TO SET UP MY WORK AND PRIVATE LIFE IF I AM WORKING FROM HOME?
Communication.
We are experiencing a new way of doing things with lots of changes happening all around us. Our dining experiences, shopping, schooling and just about everything has changed. We must learn to be very flexible.
Clarifying things is very helpful. If you work with a team or alone, scheduling a meeting can be a lot more difficult especially with kids learning from home/sometimes going into classrooms.
Your workspace.
Not everyone has a designated home office set up for just that function. So, space must be carved out from areas where there was a different purpose before.
It’s great that you only have a 20 second commute from the bed to the desk, but you do have to have the proper gear to be comfortable and productive?
To avoid back problems, make sure you get up every 20 minutes or so to stretch and walk around a bit. A lumbar pillow or bottom pillow added to the chair can work wonders if you don’t have a proper office chair.
To avoid neck issues, make sure your monitor is placed so you are not looking down and bending your neck all day. If you use a laptop, you might want to get a stand for it. The ideal height is eye level.
Declutter.
Whatever space you decide to use, make sure it is free from clutter. The more you have on your desk, the harder it is to concentrate. Distractions abound when you work from home. It may be the doorbell or the mail or the phone. Removing non-essential items can help so much.
Setting boundaries.
I am sure this is one of the first things you did when you started working from home. This also need redefinition as time goes on so you can establish time for your private/family responsibilities.
Video conferencing and the home office space.
Virtual meetings are the norm for both office and personal use. There are virtual backgrounds you can select for your home office if you don’t want people to see your home. When we first started, I was on a call where the background was a palm tree waving, waves rolling in scene. It looked so real; I thought the person was on the outside deck somewhere in the Caribbean! That’s how I found out about backdrops!
If you want to use your own setting, test it out. Look to see what your camera will show behind you. You may want to restyle your shelves or add or take away objects. Adding some pillows or art may be to make your space more presentable.
#2. HOW CAN I ENERGIZE MY HOME OFFICE?
Adding plants, good lighting and an ergonomic office chair will go far in elevating your spirits.
Using a light color scheme makes the space you are in feel larger even if it is not.
Using furnishings that add more storage for you if a smart way to get things out of the way yet close by.
Using a time tracker is a great way to help make the chunks of time go more smoothly. Then at the end of the day, you can wonder “what did I accomplish today?” and you will know.
We all need patience. It’s totally normal to feel like you are losing it occasionally! If you write a “to do” list for yourself, please add “cut me some slack” to your list! You will appreciate it!
